When Abbey104 lost its studio, the community rallied – and now Sherborne’s radio station is stronger, louder and more local than ever
All images: Courtenay Hitchcock
‘I only came in for an interview about local football,’ laughs John Shearing, chair of Sherborne’s community radio station Abbey104. ‘That was 2017. I’d just retired. I looked up at the schedule board, saw a few gaps, and thought, I’ve always loved music…’
Like many volunteers, John didn’t plan to become a radio presenter – let alone end up chairing the committee which runs the station.
‘It just evolved. I started doing a Monday afternoon show – Unlimited Music, 2pm to 4pm – and it grew from there. I soon began helping with the running of the station.
‘Then, three years ago, the entire committee stood down. I suppose I thought, well, I’ve got some useful experience…’
It’s a commitment
That might be something of an understatement. John also chairs the Yeovil & District Football League, a volunteer-run organisation he’s been part of for decades. ‘It’s all about treating people with respect,’ he says. ‘Volunteers want to feel valued. That’s what I brought to Abbey104. We’ve got around 30 presenters, and we’re all volunteers – some come and go, of course. It’s a commitment. You’ve got to prep your show and you have to be there week in, week out. But we’ve built a strong, supportive team.’
Abbey104 is, as the name suggests, found at 104.7 FM – though a new transmitter location means it now reaches far beyond Dorset. ‘On a good day, the FM signal stretches from Shaftesbury to Taunton,’ John says. ‘We only broadcast at 50 watts – half what a new community station would be granted – but moving our transmitter from the Gryphon School to Sherborne Golf Club made a huge difference. We get brilliant support from the Golf Club – and we’re now much more accessible for maintenance. No more waiting for access during school holidays before we can fix a breakdown!’
That transmitter move had been on the cards for some time, and was carefully planned. The bigger challenge came unexpectedly. ‘February 2024 – I remember because I was on my way to Bristol – I got the call. We’d been given notice to leave our studio space. We had six months to get out.’
Cue what John cheerfully calls ‘a mad scramble’. They needed a new home – and fast. ‘Finding somewhere suitable for broadcasting, was a challenge, but somewhere we could afford was an even bigger one. Every penny counts. Our income comes from three main streams: business sponsorship, membership fees – we all pay to be part of the station – and outside events: we support everything from fun runs to golf days. And we reinvest every bit back into the station.’
On the day a prospective new home for the station fell through, John spotted a brand new rental listing for a property on Yeovil Road. It was a rather rundown shed-like structure – but he could see it had huge potential, despite needing serious work. ‘Honestly, it was a shell,’ John says. ‘We had to completely strip it – soundproofing, double glazing, new electrics, lighting … everything. We launched a fundraising drive – the Building Blocks appeal – and the response was incredible. Members dug deep. Local businesses donated materials or time. It’s been an absolute community project – we could not have done it without them.’
And now? ‘Now we’ve got our own place, with a proper car park and a location that really works. Looking back, being given notice was the best thing that could have happened!’
Music and a chat
Abbey104’s heart remains firmly local. ‘We try to be part of Sherborne – and beyond. We go out and meet our sponsors and supporters, invite them in for interviews, make them part of what we’re doing.’ From just three or four regular sponsors a few years ago, the station now has more than 30 business partners. ‘That’s what keeps us going.’
So what can listeners expect when they tune in?
‘It’s a real mix,’ John says. ‘Plenty of music – people like music! – but we’ve got talk shows too. There’s the BV’s Podcast Show, of course, and we have a legal advice programme, reminiscence sessions, and lots of guests. We get live bands in too: one group came in the other week and ended up with six new bookings after the show. That’s what we’re about – giving people a platform.’
And John? What’s his favourite part?
‘I do love presenting!’ he says. ‘But I also enjoy looking after our business partnerships. Going out, talking to people, showing them what we do. Most are amazed how little it costs to get involved. We try to make sure it’s good value – and people tend to stay with us.’
Because that, in the end, is Abbey104’s strength. It’s community radio in the truest sense – run by volunteers, powered by good will, and deeply woven into the fabric of Sherborne.
‘We’re not a big operation,’ John says. ‘But we do a lot. And we’re proud of what we’ve built.’
