By Aalia Khan
Bradford Community Broadcasting celebrated their 21st Birthday on 11 February 2015 at a civic reception held for them by the Lord Mayor at City Hall.
The radio stations success and achievements were acknowledged at the special ceremony which saw many in attendance including supporters, staff, friends, family and well wishers.
The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Mike Gibbons highlighted what a wonderful achievement this was for BCB as well as gifting them with a birthday gift. He said “BCB should be really proud of what they do for Bradford, they work incredibly hard for all the people of the Bradford District and it’s great that they get so very involved in what the council, civic office and other groups and communities do. There are lots of different groups in the Bradford District who are very active and doing their thing so I find it difficult sometimes to tell people what they are doing therefore BCB are always there to help them.” The Lord Mayor said that he always tries to listen to the station whenever he gets chance.
Mary Dowson Director, and one of the founders of BCB, was thrilled at celebrating BCB’s birthday with the Lord Mayor. She spoke of the history of BCB to the audience as well as joking that “It feels great to be 21, if only it were me and not the station.” She went on “It’s just the achievement of all the people who have been involved with BCB over the years, we’ve had hundreds and hundreds of volunteers involved and for a lot of people its’ where they started for the first time and did any sort of media. It allowed them to release that they could have a voice and be on the radio. I think being able to provide the opportunity for people in Bradford has been really important to me. Its hard work to keep organisations going but it’s been so important to me and everybody else.”
Dowson said that going forward BCB are looking at different ways in which people can have a voice, but she said it’s mainly all about “What the people of Bradford want to do with their community radio station.”
Jonathan Pinfield, BCB’s Broadcast Manager & Head of Sport, said “I can’t believe its been 21 years, I have so many happy memories and it’s amazing to see so many friends.”
