/ the group

Who are we?

South Northumberland Radio Group exist to provide the community area of Wansbeck, Blyth Valley and Castle Morpeth with broadcast standard facilities for audio recording and training, and also to provide an FM radio service to the district. We facilitate community based activity and programming with a Social and Economic remit. The steering group lead the project. We know and love our area, and importantly we have a passion for radio! We work together to achieve a high standard project.

The Steering Group

Colin Heathcote | Chairman

A former newspaper journalist in Hertfordshire, Colin, who is married with three children, moved to the North East in 1980 to become Press Reporting Officer for Northumberland County Council. Following 15 years with the council, during which he won a prestigious media relations award voted for by the region’s journalists, he left to start a freelance career and has gained media publicity for many companies, charities and community organisations in the region. His broadcasting experience includes producing and presenting five-minute news slots on local radio in Hampshire and Newcastle and work as a volunteer with the local hospital radio and TV service. He has also produced and presented programmes for Lionheart Radio in Alnwick and KEVI Radio in Morpeth. Colin’s interests include five-a-side football and attempting to play the guitar. He is currently rehersing for Warkworth Drama Group’s latest production.

Neal Younger | Secretary

Neal has a 14 year business data and infrastructure background, with a particular interest in communications. He has a broad range of skills; PA and lighting installation, Point Of Sale solutions, Aerial and Satellite installations, Transmission installation, Studio assembly and wiring to name but a few. Since his first broadcast on Centre FM, initially as a Traffic & Travel bulletin researcher / presenter, he has been involved in many radio projects across the North East. Enthusing about the project he said: “I’m looking forward to establishing a community resource that links everyone together. There are so many fantastic organisations and great projects taking place in the area, that almost no-one knows about. SNRG will help everyone to discover what’s under their door-step, on their door-step”.

John Thompson | Financial Controller

John is a former business magazine group editor and PR consultant who spent 10 years in the 1980s and 1990s broadcasting for and carrying out the roles of station manager and chairman of a Northumberland-based hospital radio group. His journalistic experience includes interviewing and writing about business leaders, companies, including many blue chips, and politicians in the North East, Yorkshire and the North West. Following this he worked on formulating media strategies, and designing and producing leaflets and brochures for a wide range of clients in the private and public sectors. During his 13 years as a broadcaster, John produced and presented programmes on current affairs, community arts and entertainment, and pop and classical music. Married to Helen and living just outside Morpeth, his interests include currency trading, economics, reading, classical music and following the fortunes of Surrey County Cricket Club.

John White | Non Executive Officer

John has spent a considerable time presenting/producing with Ashington hospital station Radio Wansbeck, then hospital television station Windmill, before moving on to help launch Northumberlands first Community Radio Station. He has been involved in the delivery of radio & television production education, to all age groups, for over three decades. John is the staff advisor to KEVI Radio, King Edward VI School's own radio station, where students, staff, his SNRG colleagues & members of the community have completed two very successful RSL transmissions to the Morpeth area.
He passionately believes in Local TV & Radio for Local People!