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Public File

Each local commercial radio station in the UK has requirements in respect of its music and local content, such as news, speech levels etc. These requirements are set out in the station "Format", a document issued by Ofcom, the UK's radio regulator.

This Public File contains details of the elements that Ofcom regulate, such as music tracks, local news etc. It is intended to give you a better understanding of our output and what we are doing for our local community.

1. News Bulletin Schedule

Marcher Sound broadcasts news bulletins on the half-hour between 0600 and 0900 and hourly from 0900 to 1800 (inclusive) on weekdays. These bulletins contain a full mix of local, national and world stories, along with sport, weather and entertainment news. At the weekend, bulletins containing local, national and world news are broadcast on Marcher Sound between 08:00 and 1300 (inclusive). Additional national bulletins are broadcast from 2200 through until 0500 seven days a week.

2. Recent News stories covered on air

A55 go-slow fuel protests

Cheshire's Chief Constable going to be head of Greater Manchester Police

Wrexham boy dies in sand tunnel in west Wales
 
Wrexham Industrial Estate one of four short-listed locations for a Welsh prison, announced by Ministry of Justice

£17 million pound plans for Ruabon business park, including Sainsbury's, petrol station and office village

3. Contact details for the News team

Alina Cavanagh, News Editor 01978 722230

Phil Topham, Journalist 01978 722230

Or you can e mail the news team by clicking here>>>

4. The programme schedule

Our programme schedule can be found by using this link

5.The average number of hours of automated programming within weekday daytimes and within daytimes on Saturdays and Sundays

There is only 1 hour of automated programming every weekday between 13.00 and 14.00 – there are no automated shows within weekends

6. The amount of local programming per day produced by the station

Marcher Sound's weekday daytime output (0600-10.00 and 13.00 to 19.00) and weekend (08.00 – 12.00) output is produced and presented from our local studios.

Off peak programming (Philippa Collins, Kevin Hughes, The Wind Down with Cat James, Party Anthems, Pat Sharp, Jason Donovan, Hit40Uk, overnights, Mark Dennison and Jo Russell) is produced at various studios including sister stations in North Wales or those owned and operated by Marcher Sound's parent company GCap Media plc.


7. Ofcom Localness Guidelines and how to complain to Ofcom.

Ofcom, the government regulator with responsibilities for local radio, has produced localness guidelines that this station adheres to. These guidelines can be read by clicking here>>>

In addition all local radio stations have written 'formats' that they must follow at all times. You can read ours by clicking here>>>

If you have a complaint to make about this station, in the first instance you should contact the programme controller at the address below. If you are unhappy with the response you have received, you can complain directly to the regulator, Ofcom. Their website has full details about how to do this by using the link below.

8. Marcher Sound Contact details

Marcher Sound's Programme Controller is Steve Simms, and our address is:

Marcher Sound
The Studios
Mold Rd
Wrexham
LL11 4AF

9. Events/charities support or coverage

Marcher Sound is committed to publicising local charities and organisations by providing the facility for charities and organisations to upload details of their events to our website in the events section and our Saturday morning breakfast show (08.00-12.00) is a what’s on guide to events in the area.

This year Marcher Sound are media partners for Chester's Food and Drink Festival, Chester's Fashion week, Breast Cancer Campaign's Wear it Pink and support and hosted Cancer Research Uk's Race for Life in Chester and Wrexham.

Each Christmas and Easter we host Marcher Sound's Give a Child a Christmas and Marcher Sound's Big Egg Appeal. All gifts and eggs received are distributed to social services, children's wards and hospices.

We also regularly visit and open charitable fairs, open days and fetes with the Marcher Sound Thunder Crew, recent examples include:

Hosting Countess of Chester's Moonlight Walk
Harry's Fun Day for Hope House Hospice
Race for Life in Wrexham and Chester
Lord Mayor’s Parade
St Christopher’s School Summer Fair
Ysgol Maes Glas Summer Fair

10. Recent programme and/or news highlights

Chester's Lord Mayors Parade - Marcher Sound took part in the parade and publicised it in advance and travel news on the day.

The Countess of Chester Moonlight Walk event which was hosted and publicised by Marcher Sound raised over £65,000.
Wear it Pink on Friday 26th October was a tremendous success for Marcher Sound, the area and Breast Cancer Campaign.

Local businesses signed up to wear something pink on the day and donate to the charity as part of breast cancer awareness.  The on air team visited all these businesses and did live links back to the studio from all parts of the area.

11. Any other issues or areas of interest likely to impact on localness

There are no current issues that impact on the localness of the station.

12. The station's playlist

Marcher Sound's playlist is available by clicking here>>>