OUR HISTORY

From our early days as a short-term licence radio station through to today’s success story, here’s a potted history of Erewash Sound and the Academy

Late 2004

Erewash Sound is created and launched by a team of experienced volunteers

Summer 2005

The radio station makes its first FM broadcast in Summer 2005 on a short-term 28 day licence from central Ilkeston

2005

Plans are made to apply for a full-time 5-year licence, supported by the ‘Back The Bid’ campaign to gather public support and raise awareness.

January 2007

24 hour internet-only transmissions commence

April 2008

A licence application is submitted and a full-time licence is granted by the broadcast regulator, OFCOM

2008-2010

The hard work begins to bring the station to life on FM, ready to launch in March 2010

March 2010

Erewash Sound launches on 96.8FM on Saturday 6th March at 9:00am from studios at Bennerley Business & Enterprise College in Cotmanhay, coinciding with a special launch party at Ilkeston Co-op with special guest – Ilkeston born celebrity Robert Lindsay

January 2011

Erewash Sound moves into new purpose-built studios at the Media Center on the grounds of Ormiston Ilkeston Enterprise Academy

Summer 2011

With more studio and meeting room space now available, Erewash Sound begins delivering its first formal presenter training sessions

November 2014

Erewash Sound is awarded another five year licence by Ofcom to continue broadcasting on FM

March 2015

Erewash Sound celebrates the fifth anniversary of its FM service

January 2016

The Erewash Sound Academy delivers its first paid-for training

July 2016

Erewash Sound delivers training for young people with the Raising Aspirations organisation

July 2017

The Erewash Sound Academy becomes an Approved NCFE Centre

August 2017

Two Erewash Sound presenters – both former Academy students – are shortlisted for the Community Radio Awards with one of the nominees picking up two awards at the ceremony in September 2017

July 2018

Presenter training courses delivered for Year 5 students at Chaucer Junior School and Year 6 students at Cotmanhay Junior School

September 2018

Erewash Sound wins six awards at the 2018 Community Radio Awards. All the winners are former Erewash Sound Academy students

March 2019

Our Studio in a Box course is delivered to Year 6 pupils at Cotmanhay Junior School

October 2019

Two presenters, former Academy students, win gold and bronze at the Community Radio Awards

March 2020

Erewash Sound celebrates 10 years of broadcasting on FM

Broadcast regulator OFCOM grants a further five year licence to March 2025

October 2020

A second, more powerful transmitter is turned on covering Long Eaton, the south and south-west of the borough on 103.5FM

November/December 2020

Two nominations at the 2020 Community Radio Awards result in a bronze for a former Academy student

September 2021

The Erewash Sound Academy launches a new one-day podcast training course

Find out more about the Erewash Sound Academy…