PORLOCK TOWN CRIER
Local Radio for Porlock
Porlock does not currently benefit from a truly local radio station. It also has one of the most elderly populations in the UK. Whilst we have some avid 'silver-surfers', there are a great many, and some of our younger members too, who are not connected to the modern digital world, meaning they are not able to receive the myriad of information which is sent that way nowadays.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted that gap, and many in the community, living alone, not online, without support networks, were left to their own devices and feeling forgotten and lonely. A local leafleting campaign revealed the extent of the issue resulting in Porlock Town Crier , Grant Dennis, looking to find a way to connect with the whole community in other ways. It was brought home when delivering leaflets when one resident stated that his voice was the first local voice she had heard in nearly three weeks during the first lockdown. This was a repeating theme with many others too.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted that gap, and many in the community, living alone, not online, without support networks, were left to their own devices and feeling forgotten and lonely. A local leafleting campaign revealed the extent of the issue resulting in Porlock Town Crier , Grant Dennis, looking to find a way to connect with the whole community in other ways. It was brought home when delivering leaflets when one resident stated that his voice was the first local voice she had heard in nearly three weeks during the first lockdown. This was a repeating theme with many others too.
Your Town Crier set about trying to use local community radio as a means to connect hard to reach members of our community to information and a sense of belonging.
Well since then, Grant has worked tirelessly to make that idea come to fruition. Despite very many hurdles and setbacks, West Somerset Radio is alive and broadcasting!
As soon as is possible, most Porlock and Porlock Vale residents should soon be able to receive West Somerset Radio transmissions 'on the air', in addition to online as at present. An Ofcom licenced relay transmitter will fill the void created by the hills which block the signal in Porlock from our main transmitter at Minehead. One of the big issues about our area is that the hilly geography hampers radio, TV and mobile phone signals as I am sure we have all experienced!
The Porlock Show, on West Somerset Radio
Every Saturday from 1.00pm , with Debbie Stanyon
Even though we can't receive West Somerset Radio here in Porlock on the radio waves yet,
it is already available to those who are connected to the internet anywhere in the world!
On a PC, Apple Mac or Linux computer...
Just use your internet browser to navigate to westsomersetradio.co.uk and then click on the 'Listen Live' button - a new player window will open, and you'll be able to click on the play button to stream the station live.
On Amazon ALEXA devices...
you can say “Alexa, Play West Somerset Radio”, but first you will need to turn on the skill:
To turn the 'Skill' on... (this only needs to be done once)
Say “Alexa Enable West Somerset Radio Skill“
Then wait around 10 to 15 seconds...
Then ask "Alexa Play (or Open) West Somerset Radio"
.........
If that doesn't work, you will need to use the Alexa app...
1. Open up the Alexa app on whatever device you have connected to Alexa
2. Click on the 'More' navigation button in the menu bar...
3. Click on “Skills & Games”
4. Search for “West Somerset Radio”
5. It should be the top listing. You will recognise the logo
6. Click enable or launch
1. Open up the Alexa app on whatever device you have connected to Alexa
2. Click on the 'More' navigation button in the menu bar...
3. Click on “Skills & Games”
4. Search for “West Somerset Radio”
5. It should be the top listing. You will recognise the logo
6. Click enable or launch
On your Android or Apple Smart phones/devices...
