Almost three years ago, I sat behind a microphone for my very first radio broadcast for Andover Radio. I remember it clearly — the nerves, the adrenaline, the “what if I press the wrong button?” panic. It was raw, a bit rough around the edges, and absolutely electrifying. I didn’t know it then, but that first broadcast would be the start of something much bigger than a passing interest. It was the beginning of a genuine, deep-rooted love affair with local radio.
Fast forward to now, and I’m not just presenting shows — I’m Station Manager for both Andover Radio and Overton Radio. That means I get the best of both worlds: I still get to enjoy the thrill of being on air, but I also get to help shape the sound, the direction, and the purpose of two stations that are deeply rooted in their communities. And honestly? That responsibility means the world to me.
Because local radio matters. It really does. In an age where media is increasingly faceless, filtered, and driven by algorithms, local radio is still personal. Still human. Still ours.
What we do at Andover and Overton Radio isn’t about chasing clicks or building follower counts. It’s about talking directly to the people who live here. We’re the ones announcing your community events, playing your dedications, warning you about that dodgy stretch of road that floods every time it drizzles, and telling you which pub has reopened under new management (again).
We’re the ones you turn to when something big happens — a storm, a power cut, a breaking story that affects your actual street. And we’re the ones still there when nothing’s happening at all, keeping you company while you make your morning brew or wind down from a long day.
That’s the power of local radio. It’s not distant. It’s present. And being the person who helps steer that ship — who gets to work with brilliant teams, bring in fresh voices, and keep things ticking when the tech decides to have a mood — is something I’m incredibly proud of.
As I approach the three-year anniversary of that first broadcast, I find myself reflecting not just on how far I’ve come, but how far our stations have come too. From growing our listener base to expanding our digital reach (hello Alexa, hello Mixcloud), we’re evolving — but always with one foot planted firmly in the local.
Because local is where the heart is. It’s where the stories are. And it’s where radio still feels like a friend, not a feed.
So here’s to three years of shows, community chats, and the occasional last-minute panic over a missing news jingle. And here’s to what’s next — more voices, more stories, and more of that real connection you can only get from proper, boots-on-the-ground, local radio.