2023 Gold Awards
2023 GOLDS
Community Impact Project of the Year Sponsored by UK Community Radio Network
Rehabilitation into Education - Sheppey FM 92.2
Station of the Year Sponsored by Aiir
Sheppey FM 92.2
Female Presenter of the Year Sponsored by Hippynet
Priya Matharu - Switch Radio
Helo, my name is Priya Matharu and I present and produce a specialist show caled Desi Beats and a playlist show on Monday mornings on Switch Radio. On Desi Beats, I play a range of South Asian music, for example Bhangra, Bolywood, Urban Asian and Old School tunes. I also interview local South Asian artists and talk about new releases from established musicians. The South Asian music scene is something I have loved expressing my passion for on and off air. It is pivotal to celebrate the next generation of musicians, who are paving the way and creating a new music scene. As a result, I promote their music on the show and on social media. Furthermore, I interview local artists and producers to talk about their music in more depth. Local talent that have featured on the show include: Yxng Sxngh, DJ Juggy and Nova Roze. Waqas, who you can hear on my demo, is a singer / producer from Stourbridge, and we were talking about his brand new track ‘Haal Dil Da’. He was discussing who he worked with on the song, as wel as displaying his amazing vocal skils! We also spoke about how his song fuses together UK, Indian and Pakistani cultures, making this a sound that British Asians can relate to. It’s important to keep the show fun and light hearted, however it is also vital to showcase serious topics when needed. For instance, it has been a year since the passing of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, who I did a tribute show for last year. He was one of the biggest Punjabi singers and his death is stil felt within the community. I wanted to touch upon this on the show, by firstly giving a brief introduction to Sidhu Moosewala, in case someone listening didn’t know who he was. I also wanted to give my thoughts and feelings on the situation and mention those big global artists who have also felt his loss, such as Drake, Burna Boy and Tion Wayne. On my Monday morning show, I celebrate local talent with Switch Radio’s ‘Midlands Music Guarantee’. This is where we play songs by musicians from across the West Midlands, whether they’re the big legends or the upcoming artists. I also aim to be a friendly voice for people, especialy to help them get through those tough Monday mornings! One way I do this is by storyte ling. The thing I love most about radio is that it is an intimate platform and is a very powerful way to tel stories. I try to include relatable and funny anecdotes, that wi l brighten up someone’s day. For example, on my demo I tel a story about my exams. It was exams season recently, so I thought this would be great ‘sense of day content’ to bring to the show, and also a good way to add a light hearted twist to something that can be quite stressful! Seeing the recent cuts to local radio across the industry, has been upsetting for many people, including myself. People love and depend on local radio so much, and this demonstrates how valuable Community Radio is. It’s made by the community, for our community. Therefore, it is a privilege to be able to present radio shows for Birmingham and I look forward to continue doing so!
Male Presenter of the Year Sponsored by AutoPod
Ste Greenall - Black Cat Radio
Community Show of the Year
Sophie Preece - Switch Radio
Live Event or Outside Broadcast of the Year
Carols for Christmas – SourceFM
Entertainment Show of the Year
Gemma-Leigh James - BFBS Brize Norton
News, Journalism & Factual Storytelling Sponsored by RadioToday
The Host - Ukraine 1 Year On - Hope FM
Specialist Music Show of the Year
Baker’s Dozen Radio Show - Ipswich Community Radio
Specialist Content Show of the Year
A Space to Speak Your Mind – SourceFM
Arts & Creative Radio of the Year
Frankenstein the Pantomime - Chelmsford Community Radio
Sports Show of the Year
Saturday Sports Show: Non-League Day Special - Black Country Radio
Volunteer of the Year
Maggie Currie - Vectis Radio
Young Person of the Year (under 25) - Sponsored by The Radio Hu
Josh Holmes-Bright - Caroline Community Radio
Sage Person of the Year (Over 60)
Sam Hinks - Radio Skye
Newcomer of the Year
Ian Campfield - Gateway 97.8
Special Category: Coronation of King Charles III
Coronation of the King - BFBS Aldershot
Special Category: HM Queen Elizabeth II – Her life, Her reign, and her passing
Northampton remembers and celebrates HM Queen Elizabeth II - NLive Radio