07 Feb 2024
Local news has never faced greater challenges. Whether it be regional newspapers or the BBC’s radio output, there is less focus on what is happening in a community, with a reliance on shared content and a lack of engagement with readers and listeners.
But just as the St Albans Times has stepped into the breach to provide a much-needed local news publication, on the airwaves community radio station Mix 92.6 FM is taking advantage of the BBC’s changes to its local radio output by snapping up their talent.
Recently joining the station is former BBC Three Counties Radio presenter Mike Naylor, whose long-running Sunday afternoon show became another victim of the corporation’s cutbacks.
He explained why he thinks community radio is more important now than ever before: “It’s because other so-called local stations have become less local. In community radio, local people are making the decisions about how it’s run – we live here, work here, some have children at school here, we belong to clubs and societies, and have a better handle on what’s going on, than decision makers based in London.
“We can meet local people, report and feature them on air, as we are closer to them, and anyone can volunteer to get involved.
“Sadly BBC local radio has moved to more shared national and regional programmes – with many long serving, experienced, popular – and in some cases award-winning – presenters losing their jobs.
“Specialist shows such as Treasure Quest, country, rock and oldies music shows were dropped.
“Lunchtime/early afternoon programmes were removed when the pandemic started. It was claimed that would be temporary, but it became permanent.
“The move to four-hour programmes, and changing music policy several times, has resulted in local radio losing over three quarters of a million listeners in the last three months of last year.
“There are too many highly overpaid managers and executives driving these changes (one on £275,000 a year), who have only worked in news or television – they’ve never presented radio programmes, never given talks to the Women’s Institute or Round Table, other community organisations, or church groups, never produced outside broadcasts, all things that help to connect presenters and producers to the audience.
“These changes have contravened the BBC’s stated values of ‘putting audiences at the heart of what we do’ and it’s supposed value of providing a duty of care to its staff. It’s done untold reputational damage to the organisation.”
That’s why Mike is proud to be joining Mix 92.6 FM, and looking forward to reconnecting with his former listeners: “I’m aiming to give them a good time by playing memorable music. There will be plenty of surprises and rarely played tracks, focusing on the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s – which will bring back great memories – as well as playing the best new music from heritage artists such as the Stones, Judie Tzuke and Paul Rodgers and some Hertfordshire based musicians too.
“Hopefully it will be an uplifting, positive and happy programme – to make listeners feel good on a Sunday, so they can forget about their worries and anxieties and all the bad stuff that’s going on in the world. It will be a mixture of pop, rock, punk, new wave, indie music, soul and northern soul – quite a juggling act to keep people interested!”
Mike also enjoys close ties to St Albans dating back to the beginning of the 20th century: “My great grandfather lived in the city, was married in St Peter’s church and he had a watchmaker and jewellers shop in Market Place from 1911. It was where Clark’s is now.
“I’ve lived in Hertfordshire for almost 30 years and St Albans is one of my favourite places. Growing up in north London we used to visit in the holidays, I often shop, dine, or worship here, and a few years back presented a big radio series on all the volunteers that help out at the Abbey.”
Mix 92.6 FM programme controller Andy Waterfield said “We’re delighted that Mike has joined us. His experience over many years in local and national radio has already brought us new insights and ideas and we’re so happy to be able to reconnect Mike with his listeners.”
