The History of Vixen 101

The concept for Vixen came from Market Weighton resident Paul Stellings. By 2002 Paul had 18 years of broadcasting and management experience with Radio Medica, a local hospital radio station. This, together with his involvement with other radio projects in the area, and his work with the Giant Bradley Festival Committee in Market Weighton, led him to the idea that it would be good for the area to set up a temporary radio station to promote the Giant Bradley Festival, Market Weighton’s local businesses, and offer local information.

At that time, Market Weighton and the surrounding villages were in the middle of a government-funded regeneration project initiated through Yorkshire Forward, and managed by the Weighton Area Regeneration Partnership (WARP). With many ideas and new projects taking shape in the area, it seemed like a great time for the area to bring a truly local radio service to the population.

Paul formed a committee involving the Council For Voluntary Service (CVS) in Beverley, experienced colleagues from Hospital Radio, and members of the local Chamber of Trade and drew up an official constitution to create the organisation, Market Weighton Community Radio, which would broadcast under the name Vixen 87. After over a year of working with potential grant funders, recruiting volunteers, purchasing equipment, finding premises and a transmitter site, building studios, and working with the relevant professional bodies, the station launched at 8 minutes to 7am on Sunday 4 May 2003. That time of day was chosen to coincide with the first part of the station’s frequency of 87.9 FM, with a national news bulletin at 7am followed by the breakfast show at 7:03am, presented by Paul himself, opening with the track Inner Smile by the pop group Texas.

Get in touch

Studio: 01430 879101
Office: 01430 875830
Email: studio@vixen101.co.uk