Planning and preparation is now in full swing at ToneFM, as Taunton’s Community Radio Station, and its volunteer team, gear up for what is going to be the busiest event season the station has ever seen. With nearly 30 events to attend this year between June and December it’s certainly going to be a busy 2023.
However, in a bid to engage even further with listeners this year ToneFM welcomes a new edition in the form of ToneFM’s very first Outside Broadcast Vehicle.
Dubbed “Sir Terry The Traffic Van”, in honour of the Commander in Chief of Broadcasting, Sir Terry Wogan. The vehicle will shortly hit the road as a fully equipped self powered digital mobile studio, capable of instantly broadcasting live, or being used to drive the station’s own live event PA system.
The creation of “Sir Terry The Traffic Van” could not have happened without the ongoing support of ToneFM’s partners who assist in keeping the station on the air, and allowing the organisation to provide the communitywith a truly local radio service.
The project has certainly been a truly local team effort right from the get go. After the vehicle had been acquired its first stop was to Perry & Prouse, who will be maintaining the vehicle, where a full service was undertaken. It then made its way over to Somerset Sign and Print who undertook all of the branding works.
The installation of the digital audio equipment came through a grant from what was Somerset West & Taunton Council, and the final piece of the puzzle then came from Taunton’s Vodafone Store on Fore Street, who have provided suitable connectivity to undertake live broadcasts.
Station Director Patch Jobson is thrilled with the final result and cannot wait to get out and about this year.
“It’s been a long term ambition of ours to have a purpose built vehicle to undertake OB’s and live events with, but for a voluntary organisation this is no small task. Luckily because we have such amazing Partners who are incredibly supportive of what we do, we have been able to make this plan a reality. Now we just need to get “Sir Terry” out on the road, and enjoy a fantastic events season.
Whilst the station does now have most of its events booked “Sir Terry The Traffic Van”, can be requested, or hired for event attendances, and live broadcasts, alongside the stations event PA system and staging solutions.
For more information please email [email protected] or call 01823 286688