BBC Somerset Sound
Encyclopedia
BBC Somerset, formerly BBC Somerset Sound, is the BBC Local Radio
service for the shire county
of Somerset
and Bath and North East Somerset
, England. BBC Radio Bristol
also serves the northern parts of the ceremonial county
of Somerset – Bath and North East Somerset
and North Somerset
.
Launched on 11 April 1988, it broadcasts from its studios in Park Street, Taunton
on 95.5 MHz FM and 1566 kHz AM, as well as taking programmes from BBC Radio Bristol. The station had previously only broadcast on the ill-fated pre-2002 1323 kHz MW frequency. Because Somerset currently does not have its own DAB
multiplex
, the station cannot be heard on digital radio.
Prior to 3 December 2007 BBC Somerset could only be received as a whole on MW
or on the web. However, from this date onwards the service also became available on the former BBC Radio Bristol frequency of 95.5 MHz. This means that dedicated programming for Somerset can now be heard clearly on FM across the whole of the historic county of Somerset and beyond.
The BBC's Annual Report and Accounts for 2005/2006 stated: "The BBC is committed to extending its network of local radio stations to a limited number of under served areas, and BBC management is carrying out preparatory work for new stations in Somerset, Dorset
and Cheshire
.". However, due to the BBC funding settlement in 2007, it was decided that BBC Somerset shall remain as a part time 'opt-out' from Radio Bristol
, at least in the short term.
On 6 October 2011, the BBC announced that it intended to close BBC Somerset's 1566MW frequency as part of its Delivering Quality First (DQF) program of cutbacks.
Programming for the bus, as well as the day to day operation and technical support is managed by Paul George.
]
In 2007, BBC Somerset took part in an initiative to create the first carbon-zero
radio station in the UK known as The Challenge.
'Eco-auditors' looked at every aspect of the operation - from the mileage of the transport fleet down to what happens to the office tea bags.
At the time of the audit, the station generated more than 64 tonnes of CO2 each year. On hearing the results the staff voluntarily dipped into their pockets to fund the three main accredited methods of carbon offset
ting – tree planting, sustainable projects and carbon trading
. On average the cost to each member of staff was between £25 and £50, depending on their salary. Staff also looked at all areas where pollution is generated to reduce the station's carbon footprint and make it more environmentally friendly. These included:
Station Management:
Former presenters include:
Much of BBC Somerset's off-peak broadcast schedule carries shared programming from BBC Radio Bristol
with weekend evening output originating from BBC Radio Devon
in Plymouth and Sunday afternoon programming from BBC Radio Gloucestershire
. From Sunday to Thursday, the station simulcasts Radio 5 Live's Up All Night
after closedown.
BBC Local Radio
BBC Local Radio is the BBC's regional radio service for England and the Channel Islands, consisting of 40 stations. They cover a variety of areas with some serving a city and surrounding areas, for example BBC Radio Manchester; a county, for example BBC Radio Norfolk; an administrative region for...
service for the shire county
Metropolitan and non-metropolitan counties of England
Metropolitan and non-metropolitan counties are one of the four levels of subdivisions of England used for the purposes of local government outside Greater London. As originally constituted, the metropolitan and non-metropolitan counties each consisted of multiple districts, had a county council and...
of Somerset
Somerset
The ceremonial and non-metropolitan county of Somerset in South West England borders Bristol and Gloucestershire to the north, Wiltshire to the east, Dorset to the south-east, and Devon to the south-west. It is partly bounded to the north and west by the Bristol Channel and the estuary of the...
and Bath and North East Somerset
Bath and North East Somerset
Bath and North East Somerset is a unitary authority that was created on 1 April 1996 following the abolition of the County of Avon. It is part of the Ceremonial county of Somerset...
, England. BBC Radio Bristol
BBC Radio Bristol
BBC Radio Bristol is the BBC Local Radio service for the English city of Bristol and the surrounding former Avon area. Launched in September 1970, it broadcasts from Broadcasting House in Bristol on FM frequencies 94.9 MHz , 104.6 MHz , 103.6 MHz , on AM 1548 kHz and on DAB.The...
also serves the northern parts of the ceremonial county
Ceremonial counties of England
The ceremonial counties are areas of England to which are appointed a Lord Lieutenant, and are defined by the government as counties and areas for the purposes of the Lieutenancies Act 1997 with reference to the metropolitan and non-metropolitan counties of England and Lieutenancies Act 1997...
of Somerset – Bath and North East Somerset
Bath and North East Somerset
Bath and North East Somerset is a unitary authority that was created on 1 April 1996 following the abolition of the County of Avon. It is part of the Ceremonial county of Somerset...
and North Somerset
North Somerset
North Somerset is a unitary authority in England. Its area covers part of the ceremonial county of Somerset but it is administered independently of the non-metropolitan county. Its administrative headquarters is in the town hall in Weston-super-Mare....
.
Launched on 11 April 1988, it broadcasts from its studios in Park Street, Taunton
Taunton
Taunton is the county town of Somerset, England. The town, including its suburbs, had an estimated population of 61,400 in 2001. It is the largest town in the shire county of Somerset....
on 95.5 MHz FM and 1566 kHz AM, as well as taking programmes from BBC Radio Bristol. The station had previously only broadcast on the ill-fated pre-2002 1323 kHz MW frequency. Because Somerset currently does not have its own DAB
Digital audio broadcasting
Digital Audio Broadcasting is a digital radio technology for broadcasting radio stations, used in several countries, particularly in Europe. As of 2006, approximately 1,000 stations worldwide broadcast in the DAB format....
multiplex
Multiplexing
The multiplexed signal is transmitted over a communication channel, which may be a physical transmission medium. The multiplexing divides the capacity of the low-level communication channel into several higher-level logical channels, one for each message signal or data stream to be transferred...
, the station cannot be heard on digital radio.
Prior to 3 December 2007 BBC Somerset could only be received as a whole on MW
Mediumwave
Medium wave is the part of the medium frequency radio band used mainly for AM radio broadcasting. For Europe the MW band ranges from 526.5 kHz to 1606.5 kHz...
or on the web. However, from this date onwards the service also became available on the former BBC Radio Bristol frequency of 95.5 MHz. This means that dedicated programming for Somerset can now be heard clearly on FM across the whole of the historic county of Somerset and beyond.
The BBC's Annual Report and Accounts for 2005/2006 stated: "The BBC is committed to extending its network of local radio stations to a limited number of under served areas, and BBC management is carrying out preparatory work for new stations in Somerset, Dorset
Dorset
Dorset , is a county in South West England on the English Channel coast. The county town is Dorchester which is situated in the south. The Hampshire towns of Bournemouth and Christchurch joined the county with the reorganisation of local government in 1974...
and Cheshire
Cheshire
Cheshire is a ceremonial county in North West England. Cheshire's county town is the city of Chester, although its largest town is Warrington. Other major towns include Widnes, Congleton, Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Runcorn, Macclesfield, Winsford, Northwich, and Wilmslow...
.". However, due to the BBC funding settlement in 2007, it was decided that BBC Somerset shall remain as a part time 'opt-out' from Radio Bristol
BBC Radio Bristol
BBC Radio Bristol is the BBC Local Radio service for the English city of Bristol and the surrounding former Avon area. Launched in September 1970, it broadcasts from Broadcasting House in Bristol on FM frequencies 94.9 MHz , 104.6 MHz , 103.6 MHz , on AM 1548 kHz and on DAB.The...
, at least in the short term.
On 6 October 2011, the BBC announced that it intended to close BBC Somerset's 1566MW frequency as part of its Delivering Quality First (DQF) program of cutbacks.
BBC Somerset bus
BBC Somerset got a new mobile radio studio in the shape of a single-decker bus in May 2007. The role of the BBC Somerset bus across the county includes:- To bring BBC Somerset out into local communities across the county
- To help to improve what people in county want from their local radio station, and from the BBC in general
- To promote the major BBC campaigns, such as the Reading and Writing project (RaW) and Springwatch and Autumnwatch among many others
- To feedback to the BBC any brickbats and bouquets - from listeners/viewers who might not usually have the chance to comment
- To broadcast live shows from towns and villages around Somerset
Programming for the bus, as well as the day to day operation and technical support is managed by Paul George.
The Challenge
In 2007, BBC Somerset took part in an initiative to create the first carbon-zero
Carbon offset
A carbon offset is a reduction in emissions of carbon dioxide or greenhouse gases made in order to compensate for or to offset an emission made elsewhere....
radio station in the UK known as The Challenge.
'Eco-auditors' looked at every aspect of the operation - from the mileage of the transport fleet down to what happens to the office tea bags.
At the time of the audit, the station generated more than 64 tonnes of CO2 each year. On hearing the results the staff voluntarily dipped into their pockets to fund the three main accredited methods of carbon offset
Carbon offset
A carbon offset is a reduction in emissions of carbon dioxide or greenhouse gases made in order to compensate for or to offset an emission made elsewhere....
ting – tree planting, sustainable projects and carbon trading
Emissions trading
Emissions trading is a market-based approach used to control pollution by providing economic incentives for achieving reductions in the emissions of pollutants....
. On average the cost to each member of staff was between £25 and £50, depending on their salary. Staff also looked at all areas where pollution is generated to reduce the station's carbon footprint and make it more environmentally friendly. These included:
- The fleet of cars for reporters were swapped for fuel-efficient vans.
- Lighting systems were replaced with more energy-efficient ones.
- Loft insulation was improved and double glazing was considered.
- The electricity and paper supplies were checked to make sure they are eco-friendly.
- Water coolerWater coolerA water cooler or water dispenser is a device that cools and dispenses water. They are generally broken up in two categories: bottleless and bottled water coolers...
s were removed in favour of tap water. - New recycling measures were introduced.
- Eco-friendly cleaning products were introduced.
Presenters
Current presenters include:- Simon Parkin
- Elise Rayner
- Jess Rudkin
- Emma Britton
- Matt Faulkner
- Ben McGrail
- Faye Dicker
- Elise Rayner
- Vernon Harwood
- Martin Evans
- Keith Warmington
- Trevor Fry
- Steve Yabsley
Station Management:
- Editor: Jess Rudkin
- News Editor: Andrew Enever
Former presenters include:
- Carrie DavisCarrie DavisCarrie Nicole Prideaux is a current sportsreader on the BBC News Channel, best known for reading the Sport on The Chris Moyles Show on BBC Radio 1.-Biography:...
(The Chris Moyles ShowThe Chris Moyles ShowThe Chris Moyles Show is the current BBC Radio 1 breakfast show in the UK, and has been since Chris Moyles became the station's breakfast show presenter on 5 January 2004. From 2004 to 2007, the show was broadcast 6:55–10:00 am each weekday, but since 15 October 2007 it has started from...
) - Fi GloverFi GloverFiona "Fi" Glover is a BBC journalist and presenter and, until March 2011, the host of BBC Radio 4's Saturday Live.-Career:...
(Saturday Live on BBC Radio 4BBC Radio 4BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station, operated and owned by the BBC, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. The station controller is currently Gwyneth Williams, and the...
) - Adam Thomas (the longest serving presenter in the history of the station, 1993-2010)
Weekdays
| Time | Main presenter(s)/programme | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 0100 – 0500 | BBC Radio 5 Live BBC Radio 5 Live BBC Radio 5 Live is the BBC's national radio service that specialises in live BBC News, phone-ins, and sports commentaries... : Up All Night Up All Night (radio show) Up All Night is a programme broadcast on the national radio station BBC Radio 5 Live in the United Kingdom, and is on air between the hours of 1 am and 5 am every night... |
London London London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its... |
| 0500 - 0530 | BBC Radio 5 Live BBC Radio 5 Live BBC Radio 5 Live is the BBC's national radio service that specialises in live BBC News, phone-ins, and sports commentaries... : Morning Reports |
|
| 0530 - 0630 | Faye Dicker | Bristol Bristol Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007... |
| 0630 - 0900 | BBC Somerset Breakfast: Matt Faulkner | Taunton Taunton Taunton is the county town of Somerset, England. The town, including its suburbs, had an estimated population of 61,400 in 2001. It is the largest town in the shire county of Somerset.... |
| 0900 - 1200 | Emma Britton | |
| 1200 - 1400 | Steve Yabsley | Bristol Bristol Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007... |
| 1400 - 1600 | Elise Rayner | |
| 1600 - 1900 | Ben McGrail | Taunton Taunton Taunton is the county town of Somerset, England. The town, including its suburbs, had an estimated population of 61,400 in 2001. It is the largest town in the shire county of Somerset.... |
| 1900 - 2200 | Keith Warmington | Bristol Bristol Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007... |
| 2200 – 0100 | Trevor Fry |
Wednesday variations
| Time | Main presenter/programme | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 0100 - 0130 | UK Black: Eddie Nestor Eddie Nestor Eddie Nestor is an English actor, stand up comedian, TV and radio presenter, who is best known for his starring roles in The Real McCoy and Desmonds, as well as playing a small role in Trainspotting.He hosted... |
London London London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its... |
| 0130 - 0200 | Desi Download: Satnam Rana Satnam Rana Satnam Rana is a presenter for the BBC, currently presenting on BBC news programme Midlands Today and features on BBC WM. She worked at Five Live for two years then came to BBC Birmingham where she has been working since 2002.-Early life:... |
Birmingham Birmingham Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a... |
| 0200 - 0230 | Faith in England: The Reverend Gavin Ashenden | Brighton Brighton Brighton is the major part of the city of Brighton and Hove in East Sussex, England on the south coast of Great Britain... |
| 0230 - 0500 | BBC Radio 5 Live BBC Radio 5 Live BBC Radio 5 Live is the BBC's national radio service that specialises in live BBC News, phone-ins, and sports commentaries... : Up All Night Up All Night (radio show) Up All Night is a programme broadcast on the national radio station BBC Radio 5 Live in the United Kingdom, and is on air between the hours of 1 am and 5 am every night... |
London London London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its... |
Saturday
| Time | Main presenter(s)/programme | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 0100 - 0300 | BBC Introducing: Richard Pitt & Sam Bonham | Bristol Bristol Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007... |
| 0300 - 0400 | 3Geese: Alivia Rose, Jo Bailey & Chrissie Lloyd | |
| 0400 - 0500 | BCFM BCFM BCFM or Bristol Community FM is a community radio station broadcasting to the City of Bristol in the United Kingdom on 93.2 FM. BCfm started broadcasting on 26 March 2007... : Phil Gibbons & Joanne Schofield |
|
| 0500 - 0600 | Martin Evans | |
| 0600 - 0700 | Pick of the Week | Taunton Taunton Taunton is the county town of Somerset, England. The town, including its suburbs, had an estimated population of 61,400 in 2001. It is the largest town in the shire county of Somerset.... |
| 0700 - 1000 | Simon Parkin | |
| 1000 - 1300 | Emma Britton | |
| 1300 - 1805 | Sport | Bristol Bristol Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007... |
| 1805 - 2000 | The Vintage Top 40 | Plymouth Plymouth Plymouth is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England, about south-west of London. It is built between the mouths of the rivers Plym to the east and Tamar to the west, where they join Plymouth Sound... |
| 2000 - 2200 | Geoff Barker's Rock 'n' Roll Party | |
| 2200 - 0100 | Graham Torrington's Saturday Night Love Songs |
Sunday
| Time | Main presenter(s)/programme | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 0100 - 0300 | BBC Introducing: Richard Pitt & Sam Bonham | Bristol Bristol Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007... |
| 0300 - 0400 | 3Geese: Alivia Rose, Jo Bailey & Chrissie Lloyd | |
| 0400 - 0500 | BCFM BCFM BCFM or Bristol Community FM is a community radio station broadcasting to the City of Bristol in the United Kingdom on 93.2 FM. BCfm started broadcasting on 26 March 2007... : Phil Gibbons & Joanne Schofield |
|
| 0500 - 0600 | Martin Evans | |
| 0600 - 1000 | Sunday Starts: Trevor Fry | |
| 1000 - 1200 | Vernon Harwood & Brian Bailey | Taunton Taunton Taunton is the county town of Somerset, England. The town, including its suburbs, had an estimated population of 61,400 in 2001. It is the largest town in the shire county of Somerset.... |
| 1200 - 1300 | Pick of the Week | |
| 1300 - 1400 | Johnny Coppin | Gloucester Gloucester Gloucester is a city, district and county town of Gloucestershire in the South West region of England. Gloucester lies close to the Welsh border, and on the River Severn, approximately north-east of Bristol, and south-southwest of Birmingham.... |
| 1400 - 1530 | Paul Moss | |
| 1530 - 1700 | Manny Masih | |
| 1700 - 1900 | Alex Lewis | Bristol Bristol Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007... |
| 1900 - 2000 | Sounds of Brass: Phillip Hunt | Plymouth Plymouth Plymouth is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England, about south-west of London. It is built between the mouths of the rivers Plym to the east and Tamar to the west, where they join Plymouth Sound... |
| 2000 - 2200 | Swingers and Singers: David Lowe | |
| 2200 - 0100 | Graham Torrington's Night Time |
Much of BBC Somerset's off-peak broadcast schedule carries shared programming from BBC Radio Bristol
BBC Radio Bristol
BBC Radio Bristol is the BBC Local Radio service for the English city of Bristol and the surrounding former Avon area. Launched in September 1970, it broadcasts from Broadcasting House in Bristol on FM frequencies 94.9 MHz , 104.6 MHz , 103.6 MHz , on AM 1548 kHz and on DAB.The...
with weekend evening output originating from BBC Radio Devon
BBC Radio Devon
BBC Radio Devon is the BBC Local Radio service for the English county of Devon. It began transmissions on 17 January 1983, replacing a previous breakfast show for Devon and Cornwall broadcast on the local frequencies of Radio 4....
in Plymouth and Sunday afternoon programming from BBC Radio Gloucestershire
BBC Radio Gloucestershire
BBC Radio Gloucestershire is the BBC Local Radio service for the English county of Gloucestershire, which started on 3 October 1988. It broadcasts from its studios in London Rd, Gloucester on 95 , 95.8 , 104.7 FM, 1413 in the Cotswolds & Forest of Dean AM and over the internet.-Transmitters:The...
. From Sunday to Thursday, the station simulcasts Radio 5 Live's Up All Night
Up All Night (radio show)
Up All Night is a programme broadcast on the national radio station BBC Radio 5 Live in the United Kingdom, and is on air between the hours of 1 am and 5 am every night...
after closedown.