BBC Coventry & Warwickshire Local Radio

There are cost reduction changes in the offering for our local radio here in Coventry. I value the inter-reactive, informative & entertainment aspects of the service that is currently provided, by the BBC. Whilst local radio is not everyones cup of tea, I am sure that most have tuned in at times of traffic disruption etc, even if at no other time. Like a lot of things in life, I am sure that most of us will miss it if it disappears. It has been my pleasure recently to meet some of the very dedicated people involved with the daily presentations. I wish them all well.

Can't receive it where I live so won't miss it. Am more concerned for the future of the BBC C&W website which has suffered a drastic cutback in purely local news reports recently. They had their own online forum at one time to which at least one member here was a contributor. That was abandoned by the BBC for one reason or another. Mercia Radio have recently quit Coventry for Brummagem which leaves the Trinity-Mirror owned Telegraph as the only major source of local news. I don't know about anyone else but I don't like a situation where we are dependent on a single source for almost all our local information.

If I understand correctly 7.4 people are to go from Priory Place to fall in line with the BBC cuts. One change appears to be a new shared afternoon show. As a regular listener/contributor I will be writing to the man in charge in Coventry, Jeremy Pollock [jeremy.pollock@bbc.co.uk] Having said that it is probably out of his hands, but it's worth making a noise. Some of us made a fuss with the loss of Wedge's Warwickshire at the start of 2011 but we just got the usual platitudes. Keth is refreshing his batteries etc.

I believe that the core issue is whether it is local or not. Broadcasting a programme from Nottingham & calling it local to Coventry is simply a prevarication. I miss Wedge too, but at least the time slot has been maintained locally from Coventry with Marian. The unique aspect of local radio has one thing in common with our site here, it is instant. That in itself should make it a flag ship radio service, not a 'cinderella'. In recent figures, Radio 4 has seen a very sharp fall in ratings, surely this is an opportunity for local radio to fly its flag.

I have just received the following from one of my BBC contacts. If anyone feels strongly about the proposed BBC cuts there is the chance to take part in the consultation. Take part in the BBC public consultation and tell your colleagues, family and friends to do the same. The consultation closes on 21st December. The more people we can get to tell the BBC not to implement the cuts, the better chance we have to save BBC jobs and public service broadcasting at the BBC. BBC Trust Online Consultation - BBC Local Radio & BBC Asian Network BBC Local Radio: Service Review Consultation BBC Local Radio should deliver up-to-the minute, accurate, impartial and independent news, analysis and insight. It should provide fast and comprehensive coverage of local, UK and international events as they unfold and specialist analysis to put the news in context. The Trust has issued a service licence for BBC Local Radio which sets out what each station is expected to achieve. We want to find out how well you think that BBC Local Radio is meeting these expectations? There are eight questions, please answer as many or as few as your wish. Give Us Your Views

Thanks for the link heritage I've just completed the survey. Its so important that local radio remains "local" - and if we don't speak up we are going to lose a lot of it. To get to the above site via a single click, try this link ... and the consultation page will open in a separate window.

I have to say that the reason BBC C&W is suffering is that its content is so woefully poor. If it had the audience figures, no doubt it would be safe. But much of it is simply unlistenable. I don't live in Coventry now, but I can get reception. It's just not worth bothering with. I used to be a regular listener to the Sky Blues Friday phone-in, and indeed took part on many occasions. Now I only listen if there is a major story about City. Other than that, I listen to Sky Blues match commentary, which although mediocre is unavailable elsewhere.

Good News! (fingers crossed) The BBC Trust Chairman has ordered the BBC to review its plans to make cuts to local radio servics Hopefully this will mean less of an impact for us in this area. Read the article here

Hi Tony. Hi all. Thank you for this post. I will pass on my pleasure to Marian & the team. We are not out of the woods with this yet, but like a barometer, it's the direction that an issue is going that is all important. Bril'

How many of us support our local radio stations by listening on a daily basis? I always tune into BBC Cov and Wark in the car when I'm out and about going from meeting to meeting. I've been a bit poorly this week and so have been listening in the comfort of my own home. I have been contacting the Vic Minett show via her Facebook page in relation to things she has posted and she's mentioned me several times including playing me a get better song. She has cheered me up no end. I also enjoy Bob Brolly's debates and his very provocative questions. Paula Note from TonyS: This post moved here from a separate thread

Hi Paula, I'm an avid "Shane O'Connor" fan. He is a superb presenter and on just a little before Vic, from 06:00 - 09:00. He's certainly not afraid to ask the right questions of officials that are brave enough to come on his show. If ever you need a banner waved or a drum beaten, he's your man!

Hi all I love our local radio. I wake up most mornings to Marian. (It was my delight to meet Marian one morning) and then to Shane from six, like you Tony. I am often out of our home when Annie comes on except for Fridays.

Hi all, We are soon to lose Bob Brolly from the lunchtime schedule. I mention this as he has quoted our forum from time to time.

Hi all Midlands top boss quits - a sad day for all concerned.

Hi all Can anyone help with this evenings BBC Cov & Warks radio location quiz, please. It is somewhere in Coventry or Warwickshire. The answer will be given out by Paul Marriott after 6am in the morning. There is no date given for the picture, so it may not be current.