Planning for a community radio station in Buckie received a major boost this week with the news that the station was to receive a £9600 lottery grant.
Buckie Community Radio will receive the funding to help in the purchase of vital equipment for the station, which is currently based in a studio at Buckie High School.
It has been a long battle to bring community radio to the town with the idea first put discussed early in 2011 when an interim working group was formed. Since then those behind the plans have had to overcome a series of difficulties – but recent months have seen some very real progress towards full broadcast status.
One of the first to welcome the award was local MSP Stewart Stevenson, who said: “Radio Buckie was an excellent idea from the outset and it continues to develop and grow as a great local asset.
“I hope this added funding will further its ambition as a way of strengthening community spirit.”
The grant has been made by Awards for All, for whom a spokesman said: “We have announced over £1million that will support projects helping to improve the lives of hundreds of people in communities across Scotland.
“All of the grants awarded show the variety of projects that can be funded through Awards For All and how even the smallest amounts of money can make the biggest difference.”