After collecting as many as nine national Community Radio Awards in the space of four years, Erewash Sound has secured two further honours from two nominations for the 2021 ceremony which was held on 23rd October.
The news comes after the shortlist was revealed for the Awards which have only been running for six years. Having previously been held virtually due to the effects of the pandemic, the 2021 event returned to being held ‘in person’ with the ceremony taking place in Coventry – 2021 UK City of Culture.
Lewis Allsopp took GOLD in the ‘Young Person of the Year (under 25)’ category, whilst Amelia Salmons collected SILVER as a ‘Newcomer (new to radio in the last 12 months)’ award.
Lewis took to his social media page and said: “I really am so happy and humbled, I don’t know what to say. Everyone at Erewash Sound is so amazing and I’m very lucky to work with such a great team.
Jeff Martin believed in me as a 16 year old kid, and I’m so lucky for that. Thanks a lot Community Radio Awards, I really am very humbled.”
On her social media page, Amelia said: “I won silver for best newcomer at the Community Radio Awards! I really can’t believe it! I love every minute of working at Erewash Sound so to receive an award for doing it is like a dream!”
Both Lewis and Amelia came through the Erewash Sound Academy – the training arm of the radio station. Jeff Martin, station manager and head of training at the Academy said: “I am delighted for Lewis and Amelia. They are both talented and hard-working young people and their accolades are richly deserved. This continues a long line of successes for the wonderful Erewash Sound team and I’m very proud of them.”
Across a wide variety of specialisms and topics, an awards nomination alone is recognition of a commitment to community, craft and causes.
Awards chair Martin Steers said: “The breadth and depth of entries never ceases to amaze, and yet again our judging panel from across the industry has had some tough choices to make. After a difficult year, our sector has been ever more important in its communities, and giving teams a well-deserved opportunity to celebrate is key.”
Phil Johnson, chief sales and support officer at headline sponsor PlayoutOne said: “We are delighted once again to play a major part in the Community Radio Awards. After so much industry consolidation, the future of local broadcasting here in the UK firmly rests with teams of volunteers that day in and day out, give their time freely to staff stations such as those that we honour at this year’s ceremony. The awards are here to not just celebrate best practise, but to share it.”