Palace FM

From Freeradio

Palace FM was an RSL (Restricted Service Licence) station which used to broadcast to Tamworth, in South Staffordshire.

The station got its name from the fact that it was based in and connected with the Palace Media Centre, a council-funded arts centre.

The beginning

Palace FM was founded in spring 1993. Founder members included Paul and pam Pearce, who had previously been involved with Radio Cracker RSLs in Tamworth.

Regular meetings were held in the months leading up to the first RSL, to discuss issues such as fundraising.

One of the main means of fundraising was a "balloon competition", in which for a £1 donation you got your name tied onto a helium balloon. All balloons were launched from the roof of the Palace Media Centre during the station's official opening.

First RSL

The first RSL began in the early morning of Saturday 27th November 1993 - although the official opening was at midday, and accompanied with the release of helium-filled balloons (as per the competition) and a wild-west musical dramatisation of the American Civil War.

Only the news was relayed from an external source - otherwise all programmes were by local presenters, with enough presenters for 24 hour live operation throughout the RSL. Such a feat is rare among RSLs even to this day.

Palace FM had a VHF link from the studio (on low ground) to the main transmitter site, on a higher point. As a result, Palace FM gave reasonable coverage, being audible as far as Erdington in north-east Birmingham.

Several adverts were aired for Tamworth businesses.

A record by a local group associated with the Palace Media Centre, "Have You Seen Jason", was Power-played by Palace FM.

Presenters on the first RSL

Tony Page - "Radio Ability", for people with disabilities

Toby Riding - "The Vertigo Dance Show". Toby was later a presenter on the Lichfield and Burton-on-Trent ILR Centre FM.

Chris Tierney - "Electric Custard show"