Public Information File
1 What is the Public File?
2 News Bulletins
3 Recent News
4 The News Team
5 The Programme Schedule
6 Automation and Local Programming
7 Events and Charities we support
8 Coverage Highlights
9 Music Playlist
10 The Format
11 Ofcom Localness Guidelines
12 Contact Us
13 How to Complain
1. What is the Public File?
Each local commercial radio station in the UK has requirements in respect of its music and local content, such as news etc. These requirements are set out in the station "Format", a document issued by Ofcom, the UK media regulator.
The Public File contains details of elements Ofcom regulate over, 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 the community we serve.
The Public File is available as a print out on request. Any comments on the file can be made to us or Ofcom.
2. News Bulletins
Below are details of how often we broadcast news bulletins and whether they are local, national or international news.
Monday to Friday
Local, National and World News
0600, 0700, 0730, 0800, 0830, 0900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300 Lunchtime News Update, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1630, 1700, 1730, 1800, 1830
National and World News
1900, 2000, 2100, 2200, 2300, 0000, 0100, 0200, 0300, 0400, 0500
Saturday
Local, National and World News*
0600 & 0700 National and World News only*, 0800, 0830, 0900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300
National and World News
1400, 1500,1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000, 2100, 2200, 2300, 0000, 0100, 0200, 0300, 0400, 0500
Sunday
National and World News*
0000, 0100, 0200, 0300, 0400, 0500, 0600, 0700, 0800 Local News included*, 0900 Local News included*, 1000 Local News included*, 1100 Local News included*, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1900, 2000, 2100, 2200, 2300
3. Recent News
To view some of our latest news articles, please visit the news page
4. The News Team
If you have any queries about News, contact one of our journalists via the usual Contact Us details.
5. The Programme Schedule
MONDAY - FRIDAY
4-6am: Laura Parish
6-10am: Phil Stocks
10-2pm: Andy Shier
2-7pm: Cameron Smith
7-10pm: Tom Stroud (Network Show)
10-1am: Lianna Lawrence (Network Show)
SATURDAY
6-8am: Laura Parish
8-12noon: Lucy Ellis
12-2pm: The Album Chart with Andy Shier
2-6pm: Phil Stocks
6-10: Party Anthems (Network Show)
SUNDAY
8-12noon: Ray King
12-2pm: Cameron Smith
2-4pm: Money On Your Mobile (Network Show)
4-7pm: Hit 40 UK with Lucio (Network Show)
7-1am: Network Show
6. Automation and Local Programming
Sometimes it is necessary to pre-record (sometimes called Automation) programmes on the station. Currently we only automate 4 hours during weekday daytimes and 8 hours during weekends.
Some of our programmes are networked from off site. However on average at least 18 hours a day are from our premises.
7. Events and Charities we support
We support local charities and organisations through on air coverage and Outside Broadcasts on a regular basis. Offering free publicity to non-profit making organisations. We support The Gillingham Music and Arts Festival every year including interviews and daily mentions. We also support the following events on a regular basis The Sturminster Show, The Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show, The Berwick St.John Fayre, The Great Dorset Steam Fayre, Town and Country Fayre, Stalbridge Late Night Shopping, Shaftesbury Late Night Shopping, Blandford Festive Extravaganza, Sturminster Cheese Festival, Georgian Street Fayre. We also attend various summer fayres and events during the spring and summer months.
8. Coverage Highlights
The Community Chest
Every year we join forces with The Blackmore Vale Magazine and local company Hall and Woodhouse to offer £25,000 to local charities and organisations. We offer support and publicity and also are one of the main judges for the awards.
The Rotary Shoebox Appeal
Every year we team up with Rotary International and are one of the main collection points for the local people to delivers shoeboxes with gifts for under privelidged children abroad. All items are deliverd to the studios of Vale FM for collection by the Rotary for distribution abroad.
9. Music Playlist
To give you an idea of our music, below is a couple of hours from November.
Clocks - Coldplay, About You Now - Sugababes, Livin On A Prayer - Bon Jovi, Baby Love -Nicole Scherzinger, How Sweet it Is - Marvin Gaye, King Of Rock and Roll - Prefab Sprout, Save Tonight - Eagle Eye Cherry, Rule The World - Take That, Say What You Want - Texas, Out Of Reach - Gabrielle, Crazy Little Thing Called Love - Queen
Easy Lover - Phil Collins, Valerie - Amy Winehouse, Caribbean Queen - Billy Ocean, All I Got - Newton Faulkner, A Little Less Conversation - Elvis vs JXL, Life Is A Rollercoaster - Ronan Keating, I Try - Macy Gray, Shut Up And Drive - Rhianna, Let's Dance - David Bowie, I Dont Feel Like Dancing - Scissor Sisters, Maggie May - Rod Stewart
10. The Format
The format is the regulation document Ofcom issue. You can read or download it from Ofcom on the link below:
11. Ofcom Localness Guidelines
Ofcom issue Guidelines defining what "localness" is for a Local Radio station. You can read them on the Ofcom website:
12. Contact Us
To contact us, please use our 'contact us' details.
13. How to Complain
If you have any complain about the radio station, for example, something you have heard - an advertisement or news story - in the first instance contact the station using the above details.
If you are not satisfied with the response you can contact Ofcom (the industry regulator) on 020 7981 3040 or via their website; www.ofcom.org.uk
