Croydon Radio, the borough’s own online audio news and entertainment channel, is seeking would-be presenters and DJs to help produce varied and entertaining shows for those who live, work, study or simply visit Croydon.

On Saturday June 30 and Sunday July 1, Croydon Radio be hosting its first “Try Out Days” at the channel’s new studio at Matthews Yard, off Surrey Street.

These will be open sessions for those interested in getting involved to find out more about the station, to share their ideas and to have a go at broadcasting.

During these sessions, the organisers will describe their vision for Croydon Radio and provide some basic training on how to use the studio equipment. We’ll then let people have a shot at doing a live 20-minute show.

The sessions will last around 90 minutes and anyone wishing to take part can register online for a day and time that suits them. The sessions will be informal and relaxed.

Before coming along, they will be given advice on what preparation to do before the day so that people can make the most of the time. “We hope they’ll come armed with ideas, some music and plenty of enthusiasm,” Croydon Radio’s Tim Longhurst said.

“We want people to have fun presenting their ideas and use the time to show what they can do and what they have to say. It should be a fun and exciting session.”

Croydon Radio has been on the air for six months playing music, news headlines and short clips about Croydon events, its history and trivia.

“So far, we’ve been functioning as a virtual radio station with a playlist of indie music from local bands as well as the occasional live show from DJs who broadcast remotely from their own location,” Longhurst explained.

The use of the studio at Matthews Yard is “a crucial next step in the development of a radio station for Croydon that’s useful, informative and entertaining”, Longhurst said.

Croydon Radio was inspired by the success and popularity of 1Radio, another web radio station Longhurst launched four years ago.

“1Radio is a fun and friendly radio station where anyone can have a go at broadcasting. In four years it has become a community of enthusiastic and committed broadcasters from around the world with several thousand listeners tuning in each week,” Longhurst said.

“Some of the presenters from 1Radio have gone on to join hospital radio, community stations and even the BBC.

“While 1Radio is global in its outlook, I felt there was scope for something smaller and more focused on Croydon. Last year’s riots, or more importantly, the positivity, optimism and pride in Croydon expressed afterwards, reinforced my view that a radio station could and should be created here.

“Finding people to broadcast on Croydon Radio has been a challenge. The difficulty with getting presenters for a virtual radio station is that it requires particular skills, software and hardware and a certain level of computer literacy.

“Whilst many people expressed interest in joining Croydon Radio, most have been put off by the technical aspects. This got me thinking that a physical station where people could get hands-on training and have a go at broadcasting in a real studio would be a more appealing proposition for first-time broadcasters.”

The development of the coffee bar and co-working space of Matthews Yard and a meeting last December with the man behind that new business, Saif Bonar, provided that impetus.

“This seemed the ideal venue for a radio station and shortly after, we agreed that it would become the future home of Croydon Radio and that we’d be an anchor tenant. Six months later and we at last have a place at Matthews Yard.

“Our studio is up and running and we are eager to get others on board,” Longhurst said.

• More information and online booking can be found by clicking here.

• Inside Croydon: For comment and analysis about Croydon, from inside Croydon. Not from Redhill. Post your comments on this article below. If you have a news story about life in or around Croydon, email us at inside.croydon@btinternet.com

Related articles

• How to Start Your Own Radio Station (answers.com)
• DJ Spinz: Inside the DJ Booth (theboombox.com)