Involving 1,500 young people, 55 hours of programmes and more than 40 local organisations, Eastbourne Youth Radio took to the airwaves for their 18^th annual broadcast this week.

The non-stop extravaganza is organised by the Eastbourne Education Business Partnership in association withEastSussexCollegeand supported by programme sponsors drawn from local businesses and other organisations.

Eastbourne Youth Radio (EYR) is broadcast via 87.7FM and streamed online at www.eyr.org.uk. Hundreds of students aged 5-19 from schools and community organisations in the Eastbourne area planned, created and presented an exciting mix of music, live performances, interviews, competitions and features.

As in previous years, EYR was broadcast live from studios at the College’sEastbournecampus. Creative Media Production students at the College were responsible for the smooth running of the event, working with schools, special guests and programme sponsors to present a round-the-clock schedule of programmes.

As well as individual radio shows presented by young people, perennially popular EYR events were held throughout the week for the enjoyment of participants, supporters and listeners alike.

Political panel show Answer Back! was hosted by The Eastbourne Academy, featuring a guest panel of politicians and prominent community figures who debated topical issues of the day. Panellists included; Stephen Lloyd, MP for Eastbourne and Willingdon; Tom Lawson, Headmaster at Eastbourne College and programme sponsor; Caroline Ansell, Conservative parliamentary candidate;  and, Olivia Godden, Student President for the Eastbourne campus of East Sussex College. 

Flagship show Meet the Media was held at the College and gave young people the chance to quiz a panel of local, regional and national media professionals about their work and career paths. This year’s inspiring line-up included; Rik Scott, Voiceover Artist, Ben Moore, Senior Journalist for BBC South and Gary Hornbuckle, Radio Engineer with Global who own commercial radio stations including Heart and Capital.  

A special hospitality tea was held at the College to recognise the support that local businesses, organisations and dignitaries have afforded the project this year. Guests included: The Worshipful the Mayor of Eastbourne Cllr Gill Mattock; Dr Steven Goss-Turner, Head of the Eastbourne Education Business Partnership; Liz Silvester from St. Wilfrid’s Hospice; Mina O’Brien from Ditzy Media, Councillor Tony Freebody and Peter Sharp from Eastbourne Borough/Lewes District Councils – to name just a few.

Tim Sorensen, Eastbourne EBP Programme Manager, said: “EYR would not be possible without the generous support and involvement of all our schools, colleges, community organisations and businesses. A massive thank you to them for helping us to make EYR such a continuing success. As ever, we were treated to lots of fantastic programme features and some brilliant live performance work. It was great to see presenters, both young and old, coming away beaming with pride for having taken part.”

Tim added: “Eastbourne EBP now looks forward to the annual Pantomime Technology Challenge for primary schools at the end of the month (oh yes it is!!) and is counting down to the fourth employability and skills event, The BIG Futures Show, on 30^th April next year”.

To find out more about Eastbourne Education Business Partnership and how you can get involved, please email Tim Sorensen email tim@eastbourneebp.org.uk