OREANDA-NEWS. The UK’s oldest community radio station has been saved from closure thanks to grant aid from SSE’s Griffin and Calliachar wind farm fund.

Based in Pitlochry, Heartland FM has been on the air since 1992 and broadcasts 24 hours a day to 28,000 listeners across Perthshire. The station was forced to consider switching off the mic’s on a permanent basis when core funding could not be secured. Thankfully an award of ?24,000 granted by the Griffin and Calliachar funding panel this week will allow the station to stay on the airwaves in 2015. 

Heartland prides itself on its use of over 40 local volunteers in the Highland Perthshire area who are given the chance to undertake professional training in media skills such as broadcasting, technical support and programming. In addition to its educational remit, Heartland FM frequently provides crucial support in emergency situations. During the last three major power outages in Perthshire, the station has been able to remain on air after providing up-to-date weather and road bulletins for the local community.

Bruce Patterson, Station Manager said: 

“Heartland FM is a radio station run by and for the people of Perthshire and is especially important during periods of emergency when the community rely on it for up-to-date weather and road bulletins. We cannot express enough gratitude to the community panel and SSE for this award. Put simply – we would not have been able to continue Heartland FM without it.”

Following the funding boost from SSE, the station plans to increase productivity and build links to sustain Heartland FM for the future by recruiting additional volunteers, delivering more live broadcasts and increasing its commercial income.

Ciara Wilson, Community Funds Manager at SSE said:

“Over the past 22 years, Heartland FM has become an invaluable communication tool in the Highland Perthshire area, particularly during times of emergency when it acts as a local resilience resource. It is also a fantastic platform for volunteers and trainees interested in pursuing a career in media and related industries. It would be a huge loss to the community if the station were to fold and the community panel was delighted to be able to help with this grant as a first step in securing Heartland FM’s future.”

A total of ?157,595 was awarded in the December Griffin and Calliachar funding round. Other successful applicants included The Bike Station, which received ?20,000 to run an after-school bicycle mechanic course at Breadalbane Academy. Dunkeld Tennis Club received ?8,527 to purchase nine portable floodlights and Music in Hospitals was awarded ?2,080 to provide eight live concerts for the residents of two care homes in Aberfeldy and Dunkeld.

As a responsible developer, SSE provides community funds for each new onshore wind farm it builds. The Griffin and Calliachar fund has an annual value of approximately ?450,000 for community and charitable projects in Aberfeldy, Dull and Weem, Dunkeld and Birnam, Kenmore and District, and Mid Atholl Strathtay and Grandtully.  Over the 25 year lifespan of the two wind farms, at least ?15 million will be invested in the benefit area. Decisions on how the money is allocated are made by an independent panel of local people.