Local community radio station Cross Rhythms Plymouth has been awarded a five year licence extension to keep it broadcasting to the city until at least March 2027.
The station – dubbed ‘positive radio for Britain’s Ocean City’ – broadcasts on 96.3FM across Plymouth and is available online at crossrhythms.co.uk/plymouth.
Station manager Dave Simpson said:
“We’re delighted that Ofcom have awarded us a further licence extension. Over the years we have received numerous contacts from listeners who have been helped by what we do and we’re so happy to be able to continue bringing excellent local content to Plymouth.”
The station has built up a great reputation in the community and has been on air since 2007.
Part of the station’s work over this time has been to promote the work of local charities and organisations working for the good of the people of Plymouth.
The Community Matters programme has been on the air for many years and has featured many local organisations including St Luke’s Hospice, Improving Lives Plymouth, Shekinah and Pregnancy Crisis Care to name only a few.
Robert Maltby, head of communications and Marketing at St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth, said of the station:
“Cross Rhythms Plymouth is at the heart of the local community with content that matters. It provides a voice for community organisations and really does showcase everything that is great about our city.”
In relation to the ethos of the radio station, Cross Rhythms Plymouth station manager Dave Simpson said:
“We like to be known as positive radio and so we look to share good stuff happening in Plymouth that perhaps doesn’t get coverage elsewhere,” said Dave.
“Our positivity is rooted in faith in a God who loves people no matter what. This message is a real hope for people and in challenging times like these the world needs some hope. Having our licence extended now is therefore very timely.”
Cross Rhythms Plymouth has its roots in wider media work that has been ongoing since the 1980s and was founded by Chris Cole. Cross Rhythms Plymouth awarded Ofcom Licence extension to 2027 Long before there was a 24/7 radio station in the city, Chris presented The Solid Rock of Jesus Christ radio programme weekly on Plymouth Sound.
This show gave airtime to musicians whose music wouldn’t often be played elsewhere and this is a tradition Cross Rhythms Plymouth continues today.
Chris Cole said: “This is great news for everyone involved in the radio station and all our listeners. The licence extension is never guaranteed so to have Ofcom grant us a further five years is a real privilege.”
Speaking on the value of the station and its Christian ethos, Chris said:
“Across the globe there are estimated to be in the region of 350 million Christians who are persecuted for their faith. In any liberal democracy freedom of speech and religious conscience are essential for a free and fl ourishing society whether in people’s personal lives or through broadcast media.
“As the world becomes smaller through our collective ability to access information through the worldwide web and digital communication we can see accounts of what it is like to be citizens of nations where these essential human rights are suppressed. This serves as a profound backdrop for our work and ensures we don’t take our licence for granted.”
Dave Simpson added:
“We have an excellent and committed volunteer team and we are looking forward to maximising the opportunities afforded us by the extension. We plan to bring new programming to our listeners and develop our online and social media presence. Watch this space!”
Cross Rhythms Plymouth is charity- run and the team are planning a re-launch and fundraising event in April. To find out more about this event and the work in general can contact Dave Simpson on dave@crplymouth.co.uk.
