Unity101 Community Radio - The Souths Only Asian and Ethnic Radio Station

	Regents Park on Unity 101 On Monday 31st March 12pm The Mayor of Southampton Councillor Stephen Andrews Barnes presented each student with a certificate of achievement in front of the whole College they all treated to Pizza for lunch provided by Pizza Hut Shirley and Bitterne. Discussions, debates, awareness programmes about subjects and issues that affect the local community. "It was great to learn about where my father came from, I now ask him more questions about Nigeria" said one of the students. "I had a great time. I loved it. At first it was terrifying but at the same time enjoyable. What effect has it had on our lives? We are now officially lost for words." Said another student. "Preparing and presenting a live radio programme was a fantastic educational experience for the students" was the view of one Regents Park teacher. "The students speculated about the direction of their conversations and anticipated problems. The support they gave to each other brought a tear to my eye".

	Unity 101 and Barton Peveril Over 50 students, teachers and family members were treated to a choice over 30 dishes to finish the radio project at Poppadom Express Restaurant on Sunday 30th March. Lisa Hardsity the deputy managing editor of BBC Radio Solent presented each student with a certificate of achievement. Tomi Olujide from group one said "I really enjoyed this one, I was really nervous. I made plenty of mistakes but that’s all about learning". Glen Hutt from group two "I am told I talk a lot but this was a different experience – talking to lots of people on the radio. Thank you for the opportunity." Charlotte Hope from group three said "I felt I was given the opportunity to develop the skills I feel I have. I learned a lot and my confidence has grown. My friends have noticed." Katie Clark from group four said "Speaking on the radio has given me a lot of confidence... it has been a great experience. You don’t have an audience in front of you but the whole of Southampton is listening and it has been a huge boost to my confidence." "I am delighted to support and empower young people for their life ahead" said project, station Manager, trainer and producer of this programme, Ram Kalyan 'Kelly'. "I have been really impressed with the talents of our students and the commitment they have shown to the project. They have all been an immense learning curve and the support and input of 'Kelly' has been outstanding" said Adrian Kelly head of media studies at Barton College.

	2nd Anniversary Event Over three hundred guests from every nationality represented in Hampshire gather to celebrate Unity 101 Community Radio’s 2nd Anniversary Achievement Awards on Friday 11 January 2008. Unity 101 Community Radio celebrated its second anniversary at the NOVOTEL Hotel Southampton with a high profile glittering event. Achievement awards and certificates were presented to volunteers who have been responsible for the success of Unity 101. Over three hundred representatives of all the major ethnic groups in the county mingled and met with VIPs, the list of which read like a ‘hall of fame’ who all enjoyed fashion show, friendship song, classical Indian music, Morris Dancers and Somali, Polish, Afghani, Chinese and African shows. Check out the Photo Gallery for pictures from the event.

	Loop on Unity 101 Loop Music and Magazine Show is presented by students from Barton Peveril College in Eastleigh, and features a mixture of music, from Pop, Dance, Indie, and Rock, to Bollywood, Bhangra, R & B, and Fusion. As well as the diverse range of music, the Loop show also features news, interviews, and stories presented solely by the students. "The Loop Music and Magazine Show empowers young people for their life ahead" said Ram Kalyan "Kelly" the Project and Station Manager at Unity 101. "I believe the wide range of music the young presenters have chosen is something that the whole community can share and enjoy." The first show is now available to listen online in the Audio Archive, or by clicking on the following links. Listen: High (64Kbps) \| Low (32Kbps)

	Michael Carberry @ Unity 101 Hampshire cricketer Michael Carberry visited Unity 101 Community Radio on Saturday 13th October 2007 to co-present the Vibrate Vibes programme with Veronica Gordon and Belinda from 6pm to 8pm. Michael started playing cricket at the tender age of 9, and then became professional at 18 He has previously played for Surrey for 4 years, Kent for 5 years, and joined Hampshire on a 2 year contract in 2005. Michaels highest scores was 192 not out against Warwickshire. And he has played with England A team at Bangladesh in 2006. “I like all sorts of music, I am partial to music of the black origin, and to be invited to co-present this type of music live is almost as nerve breaking as my first professional cricket game” said Michael. Michael is also a DJ and has been playing for 4 years.

	32 Unity 101 Presenters Dine Out Sunday 22nd July presenters were treated to 30 separate dishes at Poppadom Express restaurant in Southampton. In an informal setting the volunteer presenters got to know each other better and exchange ideas for their radio station. "It was delightful to see and hear a wonderful array of conversation focusing on the success of Unity 101 Community Radio” said the Project and Station Manager Ram Kalyan “Kelly". The verdict from the presenters was “let’s do it again, and again, and again!”

	Two Awards for 101 Southampton’s Community Radio Station Unity 101 is celebrating after it secured two awards. The station was awarded The Enham Star Award for being the Enham Partner of the Month for its encouragement of volunteers to reach their potential. The Environment Agency has also been highly commended for its Unity 101 programme at the national communications awards.

	Unity 101 at the Festivals This year Unity 101 Community will broadcast live at 5 festivals in the Southampton area. Our live team will be out there broadcasting all the highlights as they happen including live interviews with performers, organisers, and you the public. This year we will be at: Saturday 30th June 2007 - Art Asia Mela 2007 Hoglands Park, Southampton (opposite Debenhams) Open from 12 noon till 9pm We will be broadcasting live from 10:20am till 4:20pm Sunday 1st July 2007 - Eastleigh Mela 2007 The Point, Leigh Road, Eastleigh Open from 9am till 9pm We will be broadcasting live from 10:20am till 4:20pm Saturday 14th July 2007 - St. Mary's Community Festival St. Mary's Church, St. Mary's Street, Southampton Open from 12 noon till 9pm We will be broadcasting live from 10:20am till 4:20pm Sunday 15th July 2007 - Thia Food and Craft Festival Palmerston Park, Southampton Open from 11am till 4pm We will be broadcasting live from 11:20am till 3:40pm Saturday 21st July 2007 - Southampton Play Day Hoglands Park, Southampton (opposite Debenhams) Open from 10am till 2pm We will be broadcasting live from 10:20am till 1:20pm Saturday 4th August 2007 - K2 Urban Youth Festival Hoglands Park, Southampton (opposite Debenhams) Open from 12 noon till 9pm We will be broadcasting live from 10:20am till 4:20pm More details coming soon.

	Lady Ru on Urban Unity Lady Ru from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, visited Unity 101 Community Radio to co-present the Urban Unity show with Nick and DDT on Saturday 19th May between 6 and 8pm. The visit was part of a UK promotional tour for her first album titled "My Addiction". An American at heart and Gujarati by nature, Lady Ru is a keen sports women running 5 miles everyday, playing tennis and spending at least an hour in the gym daily. Live work is her vice and Ru insists on performing as much as she can in between recording in the studio, or writing her new material. In the show she talked about her past, present and future including the full UK radio tour and her musically influences, as well that Nick and DDT played the best of essential Asian music and dropped some phat tunes like R & B, Bhangra, Old & New School and Bollywood. Lady Ru’s first release from the new album will be "Chances Are" which features the guest vocals of Alaap legend Channi Singh, and is available to download on most of the major mobile phone networks. "It has been a fabulous response, the UK is Off the Hock, I can not wait to come back to Southampton to perform live" said Lady Ru. You can check out Lady Ru online at www.ladyru.com or via her My Space page on www.myspace.com/ladyrumusic

	Certificates For 21 Young People The Mayor Councillor John Slade will present certificates of achievement to 21 local young people aged between 8 to 18 years old, The mayor will not only present the certificates he will also show them around his parlour. These young people presented live on air music and cultural programmes during 2006. Full training was provided written as well as hands on all aspects community radio broadcasting “I felt I was given the opportunity to develop the skills I feel I have. I learned a lot and my confidence has grown. My friends have noticed, be able to interview some many important people was just great” said Adela Earlington. “Speaking on the radio has given me a lot of confidence and it has been a great experience.You don’t have an audience in front of you but the whole of Southampton is listening and it has been a huge boost to my confidence” said Jaimini Patel. “I had a great time. I loved it. It was like someone giving me a blank cheque to play my music, it was wonderful. At first it was terrifying but at the same time enjoyable. What effect has it had on our lives? We are now officially lost for words” said Sohail Hussain. "Unity 101 Community radio gives local volunteers of all ages a chance to develop practical skills in radio presenting as well as provide a valuable service to the community and I am delighted to help these young people” said Ram Kalyan “Kelly” Project and Station Manager.

	Certificates At Waitrose The sheriff of Southampton Cllr. Stephen Barnes-Andrews presented certificates to 44 Mount Pleasant Junior School children at the Waitrose store in Portswood. Children were aged 9 to 10 years old, and they had produced and aired live, 22 run away stories on Unity 101 Community Radio.
	City Central Football Club Unity 101 Community Radio attended and supported a fund raiser for the City Central Football Club at Puccini’s Italian Restaurant, Shirley Road, Southampton. “Parents generally feel it is important not to hide their kids, instead to let them out and get involved. City Central is a fantastic local multi cultural football club, where they can learn, understand and respect each other, and learn their ways & culture, thus creating a more tolerant and cohesive society to live in” said Jugraj Chima, one of the many parents that attended the fund raiser. “The football club is heavily reliant on funding. The interest for football from young people in the inner city area is always increasing and we hope that we can attract new funders, volunteers, and football coaches to meet their demands” said Jazz Bhatti, Football & Diversity Officer. “The partnership is very important between the private sector to work with a local project and we are delighted to be part of it in hosting this evening. We have provided food, staff, and donated £500 to City Central Football Club” said Frank Ali, co-owner of Puccini’s. A total of £850 was raised during the evening for the project. “Local projects like City Central Football Club is good for me, good for you, and good for the community” said Ram Kalyan “Kelly”, Project and Station Manager of Unity 101 Community Radio.

	The Indi Sagu Interview DJ and Producer Indi Sagu flies into Unity 101 Community Radio to have a chat with Ram Kalyan “Kelly” To listen to the full interview please click on the appropriate link below:- Listen: High (64Kbps) \| Low (32Kbps)

	One year on - a blinding success! Unity 101 is 1 year old! Presenters made Unity 101 Community radio entertaining, informative, educational and professional. With the so many people supporting the radio station, from local community members, private, public and voluntary sector organisations for all to share and enjoy. The station continues to go from strength to strength, as the south’s only Asian and ethnic radio station broadcasting on 101.1 FM and on line on www.unity101.org in Hindi, English, Urdu, Punjabi, Gujarati, Polish, Pashto, Somali, Mandarin & Cantonese, and Bengali. Our philosophy is "By the community, for the community and to the community". To celebrate the 1st birthday a special 6 hour programme was prepared from 2pm to 8pm. Unity 101 Community Radio presenters were on hand to broadcast the top 60 most played or requested songs during our 1st year of transmission. Many loyal listeners joined in the celebrations on the day. Unity 101 Community Radio - 24 hours a day – 7 days a week – 365 days a year. Pictures from the day are in the Photo Gallery now! Key Achievements over the past 1 year: • Volunteers invested over 76 hours per week x 365 days = 27,740 hours per year. • We received on a daily basis from local listeners of all ages 65 calls, 45 texts, 35 e-mails & 20 live chat on MSN Massager. • Aired 52 Community news information getting listeners to get involved and take part. • Produced and aired over 164 community hour discussion programmes with over 492 guests form local residents, public, private and voluntary sector. • Aired over 24 music and discussion Ethnic programmes. • Aired live over 22 interviews form the Art Asia fourth Mela Festival on 12th August 2006. • Scripted, produced and aired 50 local and national adverts with repeat business. • 16 volunteers completed training in Community Radio Broadcasting Skills NVQ level 1. • Estimated listeners on 101.1 FM are around 33,000. • 150,000 hits per on Unity 101 website. • Produced and aired 22 Run Away Stories by children from Mount Pleasant Junior School. • Aired 31 Black History Month features promoting the past, present and future. • Trained, produced and aired 24 Knowing you knowing me programmes. • Attended over 80 public meetings and functions, AGM’s, seminars, workshops, openings, plays and training courses. • Gave away over 62 prizes during on air competitions. • Produced and aired 10 live classical programmes. • Produced and aired 4 Cultural festival programmes with and by children – Diwali, Eid, Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Birthday and Christmas. • Carried 2 independent quantity and quality surveys by talking to 500 people of all ages in different areas and at varied times – main outcome 85% listen to Unity 101 CR for over 5 hours a day and 95% of them were very happy with the service we provide. • Supported 6 students with work experience form local university and college. • Interviewed Amitabh Bachchan on Monday 8th November 2006.

	Amitabh Bachchan On Unity 101 Mr.Amitabh Bachchan was in London to launch the international Indian film awards (IIFA) which will be taking place in Sheffield in June next year and Daily Echo reporter, Ushma Mistry was able to arrange an interview live on Wednesday 8th November 2006. “We are over the moon having a mega celebrity as Mr. Bachchan from Bollywood on Unity 101 community radio during our first year of our broadcast, it is a such a boost for all us” said Ram Kalyan Kelly” the project and station manager of Unity 101 community radio. You can listen to the full interview again by clicking on the appropriate link below:- Listen: High (64Kbps) \| Low (32Kbps)

	Unity 101 Live at Mela 2006 Following the success of Art Asia’s 2005 Southampton Mela Festival, where approximately 15,000 people came along to enjoy art and entertainment in the sun, Unity 101 Community Radio will be broadcasting live from the 4th annual Southampton Mela Festival on Saturday 12th August 2006 from 9am to 8pm live from Hoglands Park, Opposite Debenhams. The live broadcast equipment kindly loaned by BBC Radio Solent will enable all the volunteer presenters of Unity 101 to broadcast live interviews with all the performers, selected stalls holders, general public and other VIPS twice every hour live through out the day. “All the presenters have worked very hard to gain further training in out side broadcasting and the off air cueing system. I am over the moon with the commitment and enthusiasm” said Ram Kalyan “Kelly” project and station manager of Unity 101 Community Radio. Unity 101 Community radio and Art Asia “Together we will be Spicing up the city” More details on Art Asia’s Mela Festival 2006 can be found at www.artasia.org.uk To listen to our coverage of Art Asia's Mela Festival 2006, please click on the appropriate link below:- Listen: High (64Kbps) \| Low (32Kbps)

	Manak-E visits Unity 101 Top Bhangra star Manak-E came to Unity 101 Community Radio on Saturday 1st July 2006 from 8pm to be interviewed live on air by Vinay and DDT. Manak-E has lived and worked in Southampton and has had a string of hits such as Shere Di Khom & Khushian but recently he has appeared on Danger 3 with Nakhre Valiah. With so many hits, Manak-E has established himself as a well respected act across various audiences, from live pas to full live band performances. Earlier this year, he appeared on BBC TV, singing his smash hit tune Hor Glassy. His last album released in 2004 entitled Da Next Session was a big hit. The much anticipated album from Manak-e, after the anthemic "Paisa", people are waiting for the next hit from unbar performer Manak-e is out now called Darr.

	Reema Patel scores with BBC Unity 101 presenter and volunteer Reema Patel has secured a freelance position with BBC Radio Solent as a traffic and travel presenter. “I feel like this is an excellent beginning for me with a public organisation such as the BBC. I am getting an amazing insight into the wonderful world of broadcasting with constant encouragement and motivation at both radio stations” said Reema Patel. “An air of enthusiasm and commitment hits you as soon as you walk through the door of the Unity101 Community radio studios in Southampton. That zeal for broadcasting is infectious and it’s no surprise to us, said Mathew Price Assistant editor of BBC Radio Solent. BBC Radio Solent continues to enjoy a long and good working relationship with Unity 101 Community radio. For nearly four years the two radio stations have corresponded on a regular basis, each providing help and support to the other. “Unity 101 Community radio volunteers are put through their paces on all aspects of radio broadcast training” said Project and Station Manager of Unity 101 Community radio on subjects such as: • Use of computer technology in programme production including software • Development of script writing, voice training and voice projection • Research skills, basic radio journalism and news production Project and Station Manager Ram Kalyan “Kelly” and all the volunteers at Unity 101 Community Radio wish Reema all the best in hear new rule at BBC Radio Solent.

	Unity 101 & Mount Pleasant School Unity 101 Community radio is delighted to forge a partnership with Mount Pleasant Junior School. Starting Thursday 8th June at 4.15 pm and then every Thursday the 56 Children aged between 9 to10 years old will read live on air their own written Run Away stories for all to enjoy. Full training is provided to help these children to speak clearly, as none of them have been on radio, further encouragement and support has come from Michael O’Leary, a local professional story teller who also has voiced the introduction to the stories aired. “It is vital that all ages are given an opportunity to air their voice, this partnership further endorses our thinking behind the radio station” said Ram Kalyan “Kelly” the project and Station Manager of Unity 101 Community Radio. “We are very excited about this opportunity for our children to develop their communication skills with a real audience. Broadcasting their work on local radio will inspire and motivate them to produce better stories and encourage them to speak with greater clarity. The training they will receive from the staff at Unity 101 Community radio will no doubt build their confidence in public speaking. This is really important for all children but particularly our children for most of whom, English is not their home language. Within the target group the languages spoken are Punjabi, Bengali, Urdu, Somali, Polish, Farsi, Latvian and Gujarati. The stories written by the children will reflect the diverse cultural heritage within the group”, said John Wells the head teacher of Mount Pleasant Junior School.

	First Pashto program in the South Around 1500 people from all over Afghanistan and the border of Pakistan now live, work, own businesses and study in Southampton, and the main language spoken is Pashto. The programme entitled Tang Takor, meaning the sound of the combination of both tablas, (Indian drums), which will be hosted by Aftab Ahmad. Aftab applied to Unity 101 Community Radio to become a co-presenter. He went on to present his own two hour programme on Friday 12th May. “I have being looking for a Pashto speaking presenter for while now, a programme which will serve the large Pashto community of Southampton, Aftab’s Friday programme was such a success I immediately offered him his own monthly programme” said Ram Kalyan “Kelly”. The two hour programme aired every 2nd Sunday of the month and will feature music from such artists Rahim Shah, Sarder Ali Takkar, Nashanas as well as poetry and jokes. “I hope that playing music for Pashto speaking people and presenting it in their own language will help the image of multi cultural society address community integration amongst all the communities living in Southampton and to get know each other well, including their culture and food thus creating a more cohesive society” said director of Unity 101 Community radio Naresh Sonchhatla.

	Sur Sangeet Live at Unity 101 Unity 101 Community Radio keeps going to great lengths to bring all sorts of genres of music for the local community to share and enjoy. One of the keys wishes of Unity 101 Community Radio is to air local talent whether it is on CD or live from our studios. Every last Sunday of the month at 8pm we air a live classical performance entitled Sur Sangeet from our studios by Ajmal Mughal on Sitar and Surjit Singh Rahi on Tabla Featuring in Ragas, Khayal, Thumri, Gutt and Dhum. “I really enjoyed producing this programme, you can’t beat a live performance, a must for all purveyors of classical music lovers” said Ram Kalyan Kelly” the project and station manager of Unity 101 Community Radio. This live performance is a a combination of artist originally from Pakistan and India and now live and work locally. If you would like to be a guest in our studio during this live performance please email by using general enquires form.

	Southampton Docks Tour On Sunday 23rd April, Unity 101 Community Radio’s Project and Station manager, Ram Kalyan “Kelly”, and the Head of IT, Matthew Auckland, were invited to be part of an exclusive party, including the Mayor of Southampton Edwin Cooke, Admiral of the Port, and her guests, to tour Southampton Docks. The exclusive party included Adrian Vision, Leader of Southampton Council, Chief Executive Brad Rayon and Nick Murphy, Director of Housing, as well as other VIP guests. We were honoured to witness unparalleled and spectacular views of the port and the 5 Cruise ships in port, the Queen Mary 2, the Queen Elizabeth 2, Oceana and two Saga liners, the Saga Rose and the Saga Ruby. The fully commentated tours show a fascinating and different side to this great maritime city. As part of the tour, we were honoured to be invited aboard the Saga Ruby, where we met with the ship’s Captain, and enjoyed refreshments. Concerning the tours, Doug Morrison, ABP Director Southampton, said “every time any one cruise comes into the port of Southampton the city generates around £1 million which is good for all of us.”

	Miss Southampton Visits Unity As her first duty as newly crown Miss Southampton, Joanne Jones, 18, chose to visit Unity 101 Community Radio. Joanne was a guest on Unity Urban, the English language bi-monthly program playing the very best of Essential Asian, presented by Vinay Handa and DDT at 6 o’clock. Vinay helped to prepare Joanne prior to her interview and gave her all support and help she needed, making her first duty a flying success. When asked how she felt about being crowned Miss Southampton, Joanne said “I couldn't believe that I won Miss Southampton 2006 out of so many pretty girls, and it still feels slightly surreal. I am really pleased that I am able to represent my city in the Miss England finals, and think it will be a very enjoyable experience.” The project and Station Manager of Unity 101 Community radio, Ram Kalyan “Kelly”, said Miss Jones “sounded so great and confident, she will make a lot of difference to every thing she does during her reign as Miss Southampton 2006”

	Want To Be On Radio? Unity 101 Community Radio is giving you the chance to be a guest on the Community Hour. The Community Hour is a daily live programme from 3pm to 4pm Monday to Friday accommodating all sorts of discussions, debates, awareness about subjects and issues that affect the local community. So if you would like to be guest during any of the Community Hour programmes, what ever your age or culture, please write to use and include your contact details to: Projects and Station - Ram Kalyan “Kelly” Community Hour Unity 101 Community Radio 107 St. Mary’s Road Southampton SO14 OAN

	Knowing You and Knowing Me Starting in May Unity 101 Community Radio will be airing a twice-a-month live one hour discussion program entitled “Knowing You and Knowing Me” between 3 & 4pm. Southampton is proud of its image as a multi cultural society with 12 different faiths and 40 spoken languages, including many newly arrived communities. The program is aimed at addressing community integration amongst all the communities living in Southampton, and to get know each other better, including our culture and food. This is where you come-in. We would like you to host this program and full training will be provided by our Project and Station Manager, plus you will not be required to operate any equipment. Over the coming year we will be looking for a total of 20 presenters, one person from each of the many different communities living in Southampton to appear on our new show. So if you think you would like to be on radio, pop in to our studio at 107 St Mary’s Road, Southampton, and pick up a simple form. Fill it in and return it back to the studio and you too could be appearing of “knowing You and Knowing Me”.

	1st Somali Program In The South Unity 101 Community Radio goes from strength to strength, fulfilling their wish to provide a voice for all the Asian and Ethnic communities living in Southampton. Having gone through extensive training delivered by Ram Kalyan “Kelly” the Project and Station Manager the first ever Somali program goes on air Sunday 26th March from 6pm to 8pm and then every last Sunday of the month thereafter. The name of the program is FANKA IYO SUUGAANTA which means art, music, and literature. The program is presented by Mohamed Farah and Bashir Muhammed, and during the two hours they will feature local stories, cultural events, poetry, facts, and the celebration of the people of Somali both here in the UK and back home for the young and not so old. “I am so excited having had the good fortune of first living in Southampton and then witnessing the launch of the first ever Somali radio programme, these wonderful opportunities can only exits in a democratic society” said Nu Gure the chairman of Hampshire Somali welfare Society. “I am the wealthiest person in the world, as I get to meet so many new people from so many different communities, sharing and learning about their music, culture, and importantly about them” said Ram Kalyan “Kelly”.

	Dobry Wieczo'r Southampton Two newly-trained Polish radio presenters are to join Southampton's first community radio station Unity 101. Szymon Gradek and Alina Sawina, pictured, will host Dobry Wieczo'r Southampton, which means Good Evening Southampton, on Sunday from 6pm-8pm and every third Sunday of the month thereafter on the city's first Asian and Ethnic Community radio station Unity 101 FM. Councillor Liz Mizon, Cabinet member for communities and regeneration at Southampton City Council, said: "I recognise the gap in the local media which Unity 101 community radio is filling, and the breadth of its programming appealing to local communities. This new Polish programme is another example of how the station is broadening." The show will feature music for Polish residents young and old in Southampton. Topics will include coverage of social and cultural events and features such as children's stories, fashion and local singers. Ram Kalyan Kelly, the station's manager, said: "There is quite a lot of euphoria around this new programme as there is a huge Polish community here in Southampton." The Daily Echo - 13th January 2006

	Unity101 FM And The BBC BBC Radio Solent has long enjoyed a good working relationship with Unity 101 (previously Unity 24) Community radio. For nearly three years the two radio stations have corresponded on a regular basis, each providing help and support to the other. Unity 101 Community radio volunteers have been put through their paces at the BBC’s Broadcasting House in Southampton on subjects such as studio etiquette, ethics in broadcasting and how to develop a programme running order. The sessions, held weekly, involved around thirty volunteers. As a result of that training, BBC Radio Solent found the money to create a month long bursary for one of the volunteers. A series of tough interviews followed before Veronica Gordon was selected. Veronica spent the month working across Solent’s programmes and news output, bringing story ideas for broadcast – from the research and interviews to air treatment. Time spent with the BBC inspired Veronica to think about a career in broadcasting and it’s hoped that one day she will knock on our door again! I wish the Unity 101 Community radio team all the very best as they go air and know our relationship will continue to go from strength to strength. Lisa Hardisty - Assistant Editor, BBC Radio Solent

	City Council Welcomes Unity101 Southampton City Council welcomes Unity 101 Community Radio, Southampton’s 1st and only Asian and Ethnic radio station, permanently to the airwaves. The city council has been already been involved with Unity 101 Community Radio for the past three years. It has supported the radio station by providing staff and councillors for interviews, sponsoring the station and providing advertising material. The council has also helped the station contact organisations involved in community work and have given them information on contemporary and community issues. “We are pleased that we can now enjoy Unity’s 101 Community Radio unique community focus for more than just one month a year. Local radio is a huge benefit to the local community and this station reflects our culturally diverse city,” comments Councillor Liz Mizon, Cabinet Member for Communities and Regeneration. “The radio station celebrates bringing cultures together and the council will continue to support Unity 101 Community Radio and hope it succeeds on the new 101.1FM airwaves.” “There is a two-way partnership between Unity 101 Community Radio and Southampton City Council in the way we provide funds through advertising and sponsorship and the way the radio station provide information of interest to local communities,” comments Don John, Development Officer (Race) at Southampton City Council. “We really welcome this radio station and will continue to support it.”

	In Partnership With City College Over the past two years City College and Unity 101 Community Radio have worked together in partnership. This partnership has gone from strength to strength with College staff supporting the work done by Unity 101 Community Radio to train volunteers in broadcasting skills. Over the past few months both organisations have worked together to formalise the training given to volunteer broadcasters so that they can gain a nationally recognised qualification. A proposal was submitted to ASET, a national awarding body specialising in providing, quality assuring and certificating vocational learning programmes, requesting accreditation for a level one introductory broadcasting course. Approval has been received and volunteers completing their training successfully will gain a Level 1 Certificate in Community Radio Broadcasting Skills. Staff from both organisations will contribute to the training of the volunteers and it is hoped that this qualification will enhance their CV and career prospects. City College would like to congratulate Unity 101 Community Radio on gaining its licence to broadcast permanently and looks forward to working in partnership with them for many years to come.

	OAS Playout Empowering Unity101 Unity101 FM is proud to be using OAS Playout system software, custom designed by OAS Director and Senior Software Developer Jon Bird. “The software is not only professional and extremely powerful, but also simple to use. Training the presenters on how to use OAS Playout system has been made easier by it’s easy to follow layout and design.” said Station and Project manager Ram Kalyan ‘Kelly’. Matthew Auckland head of IT & Website design at Unity101, and Director of The Laughing Buddha IT Solutions commented “I have been working with Jon Bird at OAS for over 2 years now, and he has given me unparalleled support all the way.” “Working with Jon has allowed us to have new features added to OAS Playout system, taking it from a basic playout system, to the feature packed and powerful system that it is today. A highly reliable and robust package that just keeps going, 24 hours a day!” added Matthew. Further details about OAS Playout System can be found at http://www.onasticksoftware.co.uk/playout.html
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