Palace FM (Tamworth)
Palace FM (Tamworth)
Palace FM was probably Tamworth's first community radio station. The brainchild of Paul and Pam Pearce (source), Palace FM was based in the council-run Palace Media Centre (hence the station's name).
I first heard about Palace FM when it first started, in spring 1993. I had sent them a tape of Radio Ability, and they were very impressed with the idea. I joined the group, and applied to do a Radio Ability show for Palace, when they had their first RSL.
I didn't have to wait long. By October, preparations were already well underway for the RSL, which was to start early on 27th November 1993. That date was eagerly awaited, and as the date approached, equipment was obtained and set-up, agreements were set up with local businesses for advertizing and even the supply of records, and a schedule was devised to allow 24 hour programmes. The studio was linked to the main transmitter - on a roof in a high part of Tamworth.
On 27th October, programmes began on 87.7 early in the morning. At 12:00, the station was officially launched with a "wild west" display and balloons were released into the sky above Tamworth. They certainly knew how to start with a bang ...
Mostly, the programmes were excellent also. On the first evening of broadcasting, The Vertigo Dance Show played a range of house and dance tracks mostly heard on pirates and in the clubs. I was an "assistant" on that programme, helping to sort out records etc for the DJ.
On Friday nights from 10 to midnight, Radio Ability hit the airwaves. Although few phone calls were received during that programme, it is understood to have had quite a following.
Throughout the broadcast, live link-ups were arranged from roadshows throughout Tamworth. Linking to the studio - in a low part of Tamworth - was often difficult, but mostly it was achhieved quite well.
Unfortunately, reception where I was living at the time in Erdington - about 15 miles away, and so close to Suttoon Coldfield that my radio suffered "receiver overload" from the BBC TX there - was difficult. Even so, a listenable signal was receivable.
On Xmas eve, it was - sadly - time for the RSL to end. A live close-down party was broadcast that night from a club in Tamworth, and the party continued even after the TX was switched off at midnight.
Roadshows continued, as did the meetings of the Palace FM group. In addition, the group worked to set up a local hospital radio station - Tamworth Hospital Radio.
Unfortunately, my involvement diminished due to the fact that I was now working away from the Birmingham area (in Cardiff, to be exact).
However, I did continue to listen to the following 2 RSLs, in summer and Xmas 1994. During the summer RSL, while helping on the station one night, I got to meet soul artist Edwin Starr who was being interviewed by the station that night. Reception of that RSL was easier (in Erdington) than previously, due to the much improved frequency of 105.6.
Sadly, little is known about the station since I moved away from Birmingham in July 1995.
It is understood that some of those involved with Palace went on to work for Centre FM, the ILR serving Lichfield, Burton-on-Trent, and - last but not least – Tamworth.
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