Red Kite Radio is the new local community radio station which broadcasts to Thame, Haddenham and surrounding villages on 107.2FM and via the internet.
Having supported the Haddenham Beerfest, as ‘Summerfest Radio’ since 2014, for two weeks each summer the decision was made, in 2017, to go full time. Since June, the team has been broadcasting from their studio at the Garden Centre in Haddenham and they have a vast music catalogue of Classic Hits from the 60s to the present day. Red Kite Radio also provides a news and information service and many organisations and charities are heard on a daily basis providing the community with an update on events and happenings in the local area.
Steve Smirthwaite, a member of Haddenham Lodge, No 8944, which meets at the Thame Masonic Centre has given a couple of interviews on the Station about Freemasonry and is planned to do some more in the coming months.
Red Kite Radio is not for profit and totally dependent on donations and advertising to raise the revenue required to keep it on air
When Steve heard that the Station needed some essential equipment to ensure continuity of service, he approached the Bucks’ Masonic Centenary Fund (BMCF) and local Lodges to see if they could provide some help.
The Haddenham Lodges (Craft and Mark) were delighted to donate a total of £200 to the Station and the BMCF was most pleased to provide £1,750 to pay for the installation of an uninterrupted power supply to protect electrical appliances vital to transmission.
Martyn Broughton, Company Secretary for Red Kite Radio said: “To keep the Station on the air requires the team of unpaid volunteers to give up a lot of their own time and is reliant upon donations and advertising revenues to keep it going. We are extremely grateful to Haddenham Lodge of Freemasons and the BMCF for these grants as they will help keep Red Kite Radio on air and able to provide an ongoing, uninterrupted, service to the local community.”
Steve added: “Red Kite Radio is a wonderful addition to the services we enjoy in the Haddenham and Thame area. I’m very pleased that Buckinghamshire Freemasons are able to help with this venture.”
Picture shows Steve Smirthwaite (left) being interviewed by Red Kite Radio afternoon DJ, Howard Bond.