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New volunteer-run radio for older adults is coming to Dorset!

Classic radio on kitchen window sill with plants around it

Serenade Radio is coming to Bournemouth, Weymouth and the surrounding areas, targeted at “listeners aged 60 and over”.

Starting from 1st August, the volunteer-run radio will be available on DAB and will play music by Frank Sinatra and the Carpenters to Ella Fitzgerald, Sammy Davis Jr and Bing Crosby – “the best in easy listening”.

A spokesperson for the radio told Dorset Online that the radio will be “staffed entirely by volunteer veteran radio presenters” and that Serenade Radio “relies solely on donations, not advertising”.

Serenade Radio isn’t new, nor inexperienced. Run by veteran radio presenters, Serenade was founded five years ago by Andy Marriott who serves as the Station Manager.

Until now, Serenade has been broadcasting music through the internet, however, are now launching a DAB radio service in Dorset due to the “loneliness experienced by so many older listeners during this time of COVID”.

Amidst all the pop on other radio stations, we felt there was an appetite for a grown-up radio station – with real music from the finest composers and performers alongside the company of a friendly team of gifted, warm presenters. If you’re aged over 60, there is so little around to listen to these days – but we’ve changed that.

The station is staffed wholly by volunteers, all accomplished radio professionals who give their time free as they love the music and the approach of Serenade Radio. Voices such as Patrick Lunt’s, once heard on BBC Radio 2 play a part, alongside Jane Markham, who was a presenter on Newsbeat and Classic FM, and John Darvall from BBC radio and BFBS.

Because the station relies on donations to survive and takes no advertising, we have to be very selective about where we invest in DAB broadcasts – so where better than here!

Andy Marriott, Founder & Station Manager, Serenade Radio
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