Remembering Radio Maldwyn 30 years on

Former volunteers and staff from the first commercial radio station in Mid Wales have gathered in Newtown to celebrate what would have been the 30^th anniversary of Radio Maldwyn – the Magic 756.

The event took place at Hafan Yr Afon, a community centre which was built on the site of the former radio station.

The station began broadcasting at 07.56 on July 1, 1993, from studios by the River Severn in the Powys town.

It broadcast on 756 kHz AM, which is 397 metres on the medium wave band and covered much of Mid Wales and the Borders.

In daytime, the signal could be heard over large areas of Mid and North Wales and the English Midlands.

The station was originally formed as a community co-operative before becoming a Limited Company some years later and it achieved huge success in its transmission area before closing in 2010.

Among those attending was John Barnes who was the first manager of the station.

He went on to work for Rock FM in Preston, the Chiltern Radio Network, BBC Hereford and Worcester, BBC Radio Berkshire, BBC Radio Lancashire, and BBC Radio Manchester.

“It was a very special radio station; we had some incredibly talented staff and volunteers and many of them went on to do big things in the broadcasting industry,” he said.

“We were taken to the hearts of people in the area and became a vital part of their daily lives. I have recently heard Maldwyn described as a station which contained a lot of pirate radio DNA but in truth I was mostly influenced by the early days of Beacon Radio in Wolverhampton and seeing what would happen if you transposed that amazing big sound into a rural area.”

The event was attended by a large number of former staff, who went on to achieve successful careers in the broadcasting industry.

Sue Charles started her career at Maldwyn before going on to be a music reporter for Radio 1 and Radio 2 and then becoming a journalist and TV weather presenter at BBC Wales.

“Meeting up with the old Maldwyn alumni was a reminder of the halcyon days, broadcasting across mid Wales and the borders,” said Sue.
“Radio Maldwyn was a warm, friendly station, yet had that palpable taste of the pirates – a strong community presence, presenters with a genuine love and knowledge of music, and huge variety which is often lacking in radio today.

“It was also a great training ground for young people across Mid Wales who were interested in music, radio and journalism. We were afforded opportunities in local radio, which sadly no longer exist for many younger people today.”

The event was organised by Ashley Owen who was a 16-year-old volunteer presenter when the station went on air. He later went on to work for Heart in North Wales and as a stand-up comedian.

He said: “Radio Maldwyn - The Magic 756, was just fun, it never felt like a job. When it came to broadcasting and starting live broadcasts in July 1993, I had just finished high school and my GCSE’s.

“My first show was called ‘Hits not Homework’ on a Thursday evening and I eventually

worked my way up to hosting Drive. It was all a total joy and never felt like work. It would be amazing if it was still around today.”

Maldwyn was originally formed as a community co-operative and later became a Limited Company with the original shareholders having 51% of the new company.