Somer Valley FM’s founder Dom Chambers attended Peasedown Parish Council’s annual public meeting to express his gratitude for a generous grant from the authority.

On Tuesday, March 25, the meeting, held every March in Peasedown’s Beacon Hall, provides an opportunity for the public to learn about the work of the parish council and the various local projects it has supported through its grant-awarding scheme.

Somer Valley FM, which launched in 2008 as the local radio station for the Somer Valley region in North East Somerset, has been at the forefront of bringing Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) to the area. This follows the government’s rollout of DAB, which is gradually replacing FM radio as the main way to tune into local radio.

The community radio station has won multiple awards over the years and was named in the King’s Birthday Honours list as one of three Somerset organisations to receive The King’s Award for Voluntary Service. Somer Valley FM is also nominated for Volunteer Team of the Year in the annual B&NES community awards.

As a recipient of a parish grant in 2024 Somer Valley FM was invited to the meeting so that both the parish council and the wider community could hear about the impact of the grant and the exciting developments at Somer Valley FM.

Mr Chambers spoke about how the funding has been really helpful in bringing DAB to the area. He confirmed that DAB had launched in December 2024.

Mr Chambers said: “We’re incredibly grateful to the Parish Council for their support, this grant has been a key driver in getting better access for Peasedown residents, and other communities in Bath & NE Somerset, to their local radio station.

“Somer Valley FM is the only dedicated broadcaster to this region and it is important that as many people as possible can hear those local trusted voices informing what is going on in our neighbourhoods. Some of those locally trusted voices are volunteers from Peasedown so it is great that the whole village can now tune in via DAB when previously FM coverage did not reach ever household.”

Mr Chambers, who has extensively travelled the UK supporting local radio in over a hundred communities nationally, added: “It has been an absolute pleasure coming here this evening and hearing about the work of the council and so many great initiatives happening in Peasedown. The village is an excellent example of communities taking action to improve the quality of life and this is largely down to volunteer endeavour and goodwill.”

Cllr Jonathan Rich, chair of tPeasedown St John Parish Council, said: “Somer Valley Radio is an important and essential community broadcaster serving our local area. It is fantastic that the grant provided by Peasedown St John Parish Council will ensure more residents are able to access this local station via DAB.”

Somer Valley FM, whose flagship breakfast show is presented by Peasedown resident Jo Davis, is available online, DAB and FM www.somervalleyfm.co.uk