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May 2020

Last Updated: 28/05/2020

Community groups devastated at loss of Stray FM

by Tim Flanagan

| 28 May, 2020

The news about Stray FM has brought reactions of devastation and dismay in the Harrogate district- Bauer Media says it will continue to provide local news on its new national station

News that local radio station Stray FM will be coming off the air later this year has been met with dismay.

The station, based at Hornbeam Park, has been serving the district for 26 years, but owner Bauer Media, which purchased Stray FM from UKRD last March has announced it will become part of a national network with "nationally known presenters" and will continue to provide news, travel, weather and other local information under the Greatest Hits Radio brand.

The change is a particularly heavy blow to Knaresborough Lions, which has been running Knaresborough Bed Race for many years with Stray FM as its media partner.

Kevin Lloyd, who is the Lions' Bed Race Chairman, told the Stray Ferret:

"This is terrible news for us and other charities and organisations across the district, as a community-focused radio station, they have been fantastic advocates for all kinds of causes from their local heroes awards to the incredible support that they have given us over the years in making the Bed Race the highly successful and much-enjoyed event that it is today."

Mr Lloyd, says that lines of communication are being kept open with Bauer Media, which has supported the development of the Virtual Bed Race to be held in place of the real event on Saturday 13th June. However, he doesn't know if there will be a continuing relationship beyond this year, as Stray FM becomes Greatest Hits Radio.

John Fox, chair of Harrogate at Christmas, said he was devastated by Bauer's announcement, which affects Stray FM and nine other local radio stations in the UK.

He, said:

"Stray FM is deeply-rooted in the Harrogate Community. In times of flooding, or disruptive weather, we could count on Stray FM to keep us informed, to get us safely to work or home. They are always there to promote and support community events."

One such event, was the annual switch on ceremony for the Christmas lights in Harrogate at which Stray FM's team were ever-present to support and cover the official start of the festive season in the town.

Mr Fox, pointed out: "Audiences grew from around 300 to thousands."

Mark Smith, managing direction of the Ripley-based HACS construction group has been a listener for many years and said:

"Stray FM have been a great asset to the local community, supporting many events across the locality from Knaresborough Bed Race to the Great Yorkshire Show, as well as many charities - they will be sorely missed."