Villagers launch radio station to beat lockdown

Villagers isolating from the coronavirus are finding they can turn to their own, new, dedicated community radio station.
Andy Mellett-Brown on air with Heckington Living Community Radio. EMN-200704-120716001Andy Mellett-Brown on air with Heckington Living Community Radio. EMN-200704-120716001
Andy Mellett-Brown on air with Heckington Living Community Radio. EMN-200704-120716001

Heckington Living Community Radio has been set up in the home of Andy Mellett-Brown, the chairman of the resurgent Heckington Living magazine in response to the need for residents in Heckington and surrounding villages to keep in touch and keep their spirits up during lockdown.

Mr Mellett-Brown said: “What marks Heckington out is a strong sense of community. Walk around Heckington in normal times and most of those you see will wish you a good morning or afternoon and mean it. Or at least they did, until Covid-19.”

He explained: “Coupled with the looming threat of illness and the potential loss of loved ones, the effect in villages like Heckington is almost palpable.

“Under stress, most of us turn to our families and friends to keep our spirits up. But enforced social isolation breaks those social links.

“Covid-19 isn’t just a health crisis. It’s a social crisis.”

The main focus has been on getting shopping and medication to the vulnerable. But this led the team that publishes ‘Heckington Living’ to consider what else might be done to help maintain people’s morale.

Due to licensing restrictions, they have only been able to stream their radio over the internet, but it means it can be done with relatively little equipment.

“All you need is a computer, a broadband connection, a microphone and headphones,” said Andy. “It is then a case of finding the necessary software, which can be obtained for free, and the music and other programmes to play.”

HLR has been on the ‘virtual air’ for a couple of weeks, automatically webcasting a range of pre-set, scheduled music programmes 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“We also webcast church services on Sunday mornings, and are working with The Heckington Players, a local amateur dramatic group, to webcast plays and other voice content,” said Andy. These have included a monologue by Andrew Key and an upcoming radio play by local playwright Kei Bailey (see page 15).

There are live shows by Andy and wife Patricia on Wednesday from 8-10pm and Sundays from 7-9pm.

He said: “These are a great way to interact with our listeners, who can send in requests and dedications or pass messages to their friends and families.

“We’re working hard to create new programmes and hope to be able to webcast news, information and other content in the coming weeks. The aim is to re-create the links to the community that people have lost through social isolation, to raise morale and to brighten everyone’s day.

“The good news, if you live outside Heckington, is that you don’t have to be in the village to listen. Anyone can tune in on any internet connected smartphone, smart TV, tablet, or PC and join the craze that is sweeping Heckington (well, all right it isn’t, but it soon will be!).

“We have many families from further afield, who have relatives and friends in Heckington, tuning in and passing messages to their loved ones.”

The easiest way to find the radio station is to go to live365.com and type ‘Heckington’ in the search box.

To find the programme schedule click on the station page at heckingtonliving.co.uk.

The latest edition of the magazine has still been published and delivered too.

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