2008 ON-AIR DATES ANNOUNCED

Have you noticed that the countdown timer has changed? It is no longer counting down to Bonfire - it is counting down to 7am on Saturday 11th October 2008, when Rocket starts broadcasting again via this very web site. We will be joined by our FM listeners on Saturday 18th October, and both web and FM will continue to bring you the best of local Lewes radio until the end of Thursday 6th November. Make a note of the dates now!

SOUNDWAVE ROCKED!!

The Soundwave Festival has run since 2005, and this year's was bigger and better than ever. Through the festival week (16th to 24th Feburary 2008) there was a series of young people's music workshops and performances, and the whole thing culminated in the Soundwave FM broadcast from Friday 22nd to Sunday 24th February inclusive. A gaggle of Rocketeers were on hand to support the multi-faceted three-day broadcast, which was promoted by the Cultural Services Department of Lewes Disctrict Council.

Messrs Reeve, Thomas, Bishop and Flanagan took on a variety of roles, helping produce the many shows that made up the station's sixty-hour run. Over sixty guests and presenters brought listeners rock, rap, r&b, indy, singer-songwriters, blues, a capella, reggae, short plays, beat-boxing, drumming, funk, dj tech, and much more. Soundwave's best known supporter, poet Benjamin Zephaniah gave insights into his life and his favourite music, even revealing a secret love of the Piglet's 'Johnnie Reggae'!

Live outside broadcasts came from Ringmer Community College's rock concert, workshops at both Fort Newhaven and Lewes YMCA, and Ras Ric's "Ital & Vital" roots reggae session at the Lansdown. And Lewes duo Harry won the Disk-Us band competition and the prize of a day's recording in a major studio.

ANOTHER WONDERFUL YEAR

Once again, it was a wonderful few weeks on-air - culminating in a glorious Bonfire Night!

Read our Bonfire Night Reports, and see Vic Smith's superb photos.

THE MUSIC

No official playlists - we aim to air every kind of music and then some. Throughout the Rocket run, presenters choose their own music. Weekdays, you’ll find a mix of popular music you just won't hear elsewhere. Then in the evenings and at weekends, you’ll find huge variety to please your ears.

There are shows full of Rock, Blues, Jazz, World, Country, Classical, Americana, Soul, World Beat, Folk, Showtunes, Nostalgia, Guitar Music, Psychedelia, Rock & Roll, Alien Soundtracks ... and that's all before we mention those individuals who refuse to tie their shows down to one genre, but promise hours of "interesting things" ...

Musicians often pop in to various shows and play a song or two. And we welcome back the Starfish Live and Unplugged sessions - lots of bands and solo artists from Lewes's amazing youth music project, live and direct from Rocket's Global Broadcast Complex.

GET INVOLVED!

Rocket is run entirely by volunteers, and we are always ready to accept (gratefully) offers of help of any kind, whether your time or your money.

If you are able to spare a few hours each day (or only on some days) to help with administrative tasks like answering the phone, checking e-mails, welcoming guests, boiling the kettle (very important, that) and so forth - please get in touch!

If you have something you would like to talk about on air - an upcoming local event, an adventure in foreign parts, memories of Lewes past, anything that will be of interest to our listeners - please get in touch!

If you would like to advertise your business on-air, or sponsor a programme, it's not too early to plan for this year's run - please get in touch!

Our thanks to all the volunteers who assisted in the back office, answering the phone, checking e-mail, making tea, doing all the hundreds of things which have to be done while we're on-air. It may not be as glamorous as presenting, but we couldn't begin to operate without them. This coming season, they will have their own page of photos and bios, so that you know who you're talking to when you ring up - if you would like to be one of that number, then get in touch!

ROCKET ALL OVER THE WORLD

Every year we create a World Map to show where our listeners are - and they are all over the place (which must say something about something). Take a look at it and see if your country is marked - and, if it isn't, tell us about it!

MORE INFORMATION

Rocket FM Lewes is brought to Lewes and the surrounding region once a year by the East Sussex Radio Society, a collection of enthusiasts based in the local area. Our mission is to bring you community radio, to entertain you and to inform you.

Running a community radio station on a Restricted Service Licence costs quite a lot of money. You can help to support us in a number of ways!

• Buy a Rocket T-shirt!
• Buy our latest CD, containing not only the original play "The Trial of the Bonfire Boys" but also highlights from our Bonfire coverage of 2002
• Advertise on the radio - it doesn't cost a lot, and you reach the people you want to reach
• Sponsor a specific programme each day, or each week
• Or, in not exactly the words of the Blessed Bob Geldof - just send us the money! You can make a donation, safely and security, via Paypal - just use the button below.