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SFM radio station in Sittingbourne back on air following a fortnight of pre-recorded music

A community radio station has hit the airwaves once more.

SFM stopped broadcasting live at the beginning of this month.

Its presenters and volunteers were locked out of the building in Crescent Hall, Central Avenue, Sittingbourne.

SFM is based in Crescent Hall, Central Avenue, Sittingbourne
SFM is based in Crescent Hall, Central Avenue, Sittingbourne

The team received no explanation why and were told not to contact Pete Flynn, the station director.

Broadcasting regulator Ofcom began to assess the station as it was not meeting the terms of its licence, which states it must have 12 hours of original content each day.

It was instead playing automatically selected music and an announcement saying it had “gremlins in the system”.

The Sfm team when it launched five years ago. From left, Sam Wood, Becky Thornton, Ryan Upton, Roger Rapson, Peter Flynn, Dan Pope and Oliver Field.
The Sfm team when it launched five years ago. From left, Sam Wood, Becky Thornton, Ryan Upton, Roger Rapson, Peter Flynn, Dan Pope and Oliver Field.

But this Monday, the station began broadcasting live again, much to the delight of regular listeners.

The reason for the shut-down of the station, which has been running for five years, is yet to be known.

Ofcom confirmed even though SFM is back live on air, it is still assessing the time it wasn’t.

Signs displayed in the windows of Crescent Hall
Signs displayed in the windows of Crescent Hall

A spokesman said: “All community radio stations licensed by Ofcom must meet the obligations set out in their licence agreement.

“We’re currently assessing whether SFM Radio 106.9 is broadcasting in line with its licence obligations.”

No one from SFM has responded to requests to comment.

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