REPORT TO SPONSORS, December 2004

Rocket FM Lewes went on air again this year for the fourth time between 23rd October and 7th November, 16 days in all. A decision was taken against a full three weeks to save on the daily Government licencing fees, thus freeing up some cash to buy a much-needed radio mixer desk.

The station broadcast to Lewes and the Ouse Valley on 87.8 FM, achieving a further increase in signal strength, and to the world by streaming audio from: rocketfm.org.uk. The website was again provided by local website designers Pagination Associates and the streaming audio by local internet specialists the Tastic Foundation.

The Programme Schedule listed over 270 hours of broadcasting. The printing of the schedule was donated by Barbican Press of Lewes. For the first time, there were a number of pre-recorded programmes and the station also ran overnight with a music-only sustain service produced in-house. In addition, there were two local news and listings bulletins per day on weekdays.

Highlights were the three 'My Rocket Records' programmes produced by Dilly Barlow and featuring Father Eric Flood, Norman Baker MP and Miles Jenner of Harveys Brewery; also the two 'Starfish Live' broadcasts from the studio, with local young bands; many people also mentioned the 'alternative jingles' specially produced for the station by Lewes Operatic Society.

Rocket covered the events of the 5th November with a six-hour live special, with commentary from the main and the forward studio at the War Memorial, with many live phone-ins from around the town and on-the-spot interviews from the street via radio-mike.

Response to the station was well up on last year, with hits on the website running at twice last year's level and the volume of phone traffic and email also well up, as also entries in the guestbook on the website, some from the listeners abroad in over 30 countries. The presenters running competitions all had a good response. Anecdotally around town, it was Rocket's best year yet. Feedback from the community showed a much-increased awareness of Rocket and an appetite for such a local radio station.

The Mayor of Lewes gave a Reception for East Sussex Radio Society earlier this month in recognition of the achievement of the station. Among the distinguished guests were Norman Baker MP and the chair of Lewes District Council, Councillor Michael Chartier.

All this was made possible by the generosity of over 20 sponsors and advertisers, who are listed prominently on the Rocket website. Sponsors were credited regularly on air and spot adverts were played out at least three times per day throughout the run.

With Seasonal greetings, Andy Thomas, Chairman, E.S.R.S.