Public File
Contents of the Public File
1 What is the Public File?
2 News Bulletins
3 Recent News
4 The News Team
5 The Programme Schedule
6 Automation and Local Programming
7 Events and Charities we support
8 Coverage Highlights
9 Music Playlist
10 The Format
11 Ofcom Localness Guidelines
12 Contact Us
13 How to Complain
1. What is the Public File?
Each local commercial radio station in the UK has requirements in respect of its music and local content, including items such as news. These requirements are set out in the station "Format", a document issued by Ofcom, the UK media regulator.
The Public File contains details of elements Ofcom regulate. It is intended to give you a better understanding of our output and what we are doing for the community we serve.
Midwest Radio is the on-air name of two neighbouring radio stations that work closely together. They are:
- Midwest Radio in Somerset and West Dorset (based at our Yeovil studios)
- Midwest Radio in Blandford and the Vale (based at our Shaftesbury studios)
This Public File applies to both stations, with distinctions made clear as appropriate. It is available as a print out on request. Any comments on the file can be made to us or Ofcom.
2. News Bulletins
Below are details of how often we broadcast news bulletins and whether they are local, national or international news.
Monday to Friday
Local, National and World News
0600, 0630, 0700, 0730, 0800, 0830, 0900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1630, 1700, 1730, 1800
National and World News
1900, 2000, 2100, 2200, 2300, 0000, 0100, 0200, 0300, 0400, 0500
Saturday and Sunday
Local, National and World News
0800, 0900, 1000, 1100, 1200,1300.
National and World News
0600, 0700, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000, 2100, 2200, 2300, 0000, 0100, 0200, 0300, 0400, 0500
3. Recent News
To view some of our latest news articles, please click here
4. The News Team
If you have any queries about News, contact one of our journalists via the usual 'Contact Us' details.
Greg Bown (News Editor)
Fiona Honan (Journalist)
Louisa Jackson (Journalist)
Donna Bernard (Journalist)
Melvin Vermeer (Journalist)
5. The Programme Schedule
Please click here for the current schedule
6. Automation and Local Programming
Sometimes we pre-record or voice track (sometimes called automation) programmes on the stations. Currently we only do this at the times marked above in our programme schedule.
We use the flexibility of our licences to share programmes between our Yeovil and Shaftesbury studios, with the exception of one key morning show each day. Very little output comes from outside our 'home patch',. but exceptions include live world news bulletins from Independent Radio News and the popular 'Hit 40 UK' chart show.
7. Events and Charities we support
We support many local charities including the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Cancer Research UK,Luekemia Research, Music for Africa, Yeovil Shop Mobility and The Flying Colours Appeal at Yeovil Hospital.
We also support The Gillingham Music and Arts Festival every year including interviews and daily mentions. We also support the following events on a regular basis The Sturminster Show, The Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show, The Berwick St.John Fayre, The Great Dorset Steam Fayre, Town and Country Fayre, Stalbridge Late Night Shopping, Shaftesbury Late Night Shopping, Blandford Festive Extravaganza, Sturminster Cheese Festival, Georgian Street Fayre.
8. Coverage Highlights
RNAS Yeovilton Airday - UK Ironman Triathlon - Abbey Hill Steam Fair - Yeovil Festival - Mosterton Show - Royal Bath and West Show - Somerset 999 Day - Langport Walking Festival - Truckfest South West - Sherborne Castle Country Fair - World Nettle eating Championsips - Yeovil Town FC Coverage - Pen Mill 150 Celebrations - Cheddinton Street Fair.
Every year we join forces with The Blackmore Vale Magazine and local company Hall and Woodhouse to offer £25,000 to local charities and organisations. We offer support and publicity and also are one of the main judges for the awards.
The Rotary Shoebox Appeal
Every year we team up with Rotary International and are one of the main collection points for the local people to delivers shoeboxes with gifts for under privelidged children abroad. All items are delivered to the studios for collection by the Rotary for distribution abroad.
9. Music Playlist
To give you an idea of our music, below is a couple of hours from a recent schedule.
Bat Out Of Hell - Meatloaf
You're All I Have - Snow Patrol
Shiny Happy People - Rem
Bad Day - Daniel Powter
Sail Away - David Gray
Virginia Plain - Roxy Music
I Want To Break Free - Queen
Who Knew - Pink
Into The Groove - Madonna
Should I Stay Or Should I Go - Clash
Leave Right Now - Will Young
Moving On Up - M People
I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker - Sandi Thom
Get Back - Beatles
Tainted Love - Soft Cell
Talk - Coldplay
Man! I Feel Like A Woman - Shania Twain
Crazy - Gnarls Barkley
Give Me The Night - George Benson
She Moves In Her Own Way - Kooks
Independent Women Pt1 - Destiny's Child
Tide Is High - Blondie
10. The Format
The format is the regulation document Ofcom issue.
You can read the 'Yeovil' format or download it from Ofcom at: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/radiolicensing/formats/al281-1.doc.
You can read the 'Shaftesbury' format or download it from Ofcom at: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/radiolicensing/formats/al179-2.doc
11. Ofcom Localness Guidelines
Ofcom issue Guidelines defining what "localness" is for a Local Radio station. You can read them on the Ofcom website: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/radio/ifi/rbl/car/localness/
12. Contact Us
To contact us, please click here
13. How to Complain
If you have any complain about the radio station, for example, something you have heard - an advertisement or news story - in the first instance contact the station using the above details.
If you are not satisfied with the response you can contact Ofcom (the industry regulator) on 020 7981 3040 or via their website; http://www.ofcom.org.uk/
