Bedfordians will be able to tune into local festival coverage on the FM dial this summer after Bedford Radio secured a temporary broadcasting licence.
The station will broadcast on 87.8FM from Friday, 17 July to Sunday, 26 July, bringing live updates from the Bedford River Festival and Bedford Fringe Festival, Bedfringe.
Alongside its usual digital outputs, the 10-day broadcast aims to connect neighbours with live reports directly from the heart of the celebrations.
Read: Everything you need to know as Bedford River Festival returns next month
This year, the team will also host the Community Stage at Mill Meadows during the River Festival on Saturday, 18 July and Sunday, 19 July.
The stage will showcase local music talent, community choirs, fitness sessions, and family entertainment across the weekend.
For the Bedfringe, the station plans a dedicated show featuring acts, previews, and reviews.
Read: Bedfringe Clanger – the best of this year’s festival
Listeners can also look forward to the return of the award-nominated local history programme, Historic Bedford, which explores the story of the Great Ouse from the Vikings to the modern day.
Rebecca Steers, Station Manager at Bedford Radio, said, “Bedford Radio is proud to put local people, local events and local stories at the centre of what we do.
“Returning to FM for these ten days gives even more people the chance to discover the station while we celebrate two fantastic Bedford festivals.
“From the river and its history to the creativity of Bedfringe and the energy of the Community Stage, we’ll be bringing listeners closer to everything happening in our town.”
St. Mary’s Gardens
The River Festival will feature river displays, arts exhibitions, and high-adrenaline raft races along the Embankment.
Other attractions include the Green Earth Vegan Lounge at Castle Mound and a family area in St. Mary’s Gardens.
Cllr Andrea Spice )Conservative, Wixams & Wilstead), Portfolio Holder for Economic Prosperity, Planning, Housing and Regulatory Services, said this year’s event is set to be “one of our biggest yet”.
“This vibrant two-day extravaganza will truly showcase what Bedford Borough is all about, offering something for everyone” she said.
The broadcast will provide a platform for upcoming performers and neighbourhood groups to reach a wider audience.
Throughout the year, the station continues to broadcast via digital audio broadcasting (DAB), smart speakers, and online.
