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Bedford Radio has expressed its disappointment and frustration over a perceived lack of support from Bedford Borough Council to cover this weekend's River Festival. The station manager has described the situation as being "slapped in the face" following an apparent agreement that never materialised.
Initial Discussions and Expectations
Martin Steers, the station manager of Bedford Radio, explained the sequence of events leading up to the confusion. "We discussed becoming the official broadcast partner of the River Festival, so that we and the organisers would promote each other’s work, and add value for visitors to the event by working together," he stated. Steers added that after a meeting with Mayor Tom Wootton on February 26, he had left with the impression that an agreement was in place.
"When I met the mayor on February 26 he was enthusiastic, and I left the meeting expecting it to happen. We then heard nothing from the council, and after chasing them for an answer were told that we would not have any official status at the River Festival," Steers recounted.
Council's Response and Policy
In response, Bedford Borough Council has cited its established policy of not designating a single "official" media partner for the River Festival. A council spokesperson elaborated, "The council has a long-standing policy of not designating a single 'official' media partner for the River Festival. This allows for diverse coverage and ensures all media outlets have equal access. The February meeting with mayor Tom Wootton was not a formal setting."
While acknowledging the promising nature of Bedford Radio's suggestions, the council indicated that moving forward was not feasible on this occasion. "While the mayor found Bedford Radio’s suggestions promising, we were unable to move forward on this occasion. Bedford Borough Council appreciates Bedford Radio’s enthusiasm for the River Festival and we can’t wait for next weekend," the spokesperson said.
Previous Experiences and Continued Determination
This isn't the first time Bedford Radio has faced such challenges. Steers pointed out that a similar issue occurred in 2022 when the council did not support their special FM licence to cover the River Festival, forcing them to operate entirely at their own expense. "Knowing how much effort our volunteers are going to put in over the River Festival weekend, it feels like a real slap in the face that once again the council won’t acknowledge all their hard work and officially bring us on board," Steers lamented.
Looking Forward
Despite these setbacks, Bedford Radio remains committed to delivering quality coverage of the River Festival. "But of course, we’ll do it anyway. We can’t wait to broadcast our weekend’s programmes, and see everyone at the event," Steers concluded.
Bedford Borough Council emphasised its ongoing support for local media, stating, "We continue to provide support with information and interviewees where possible." As the River Festival approaches, both parties seem eager to ensure the event's success, albeit with differing perspectives on media collaboration.
