Mirage FM, the first group to campaign for local radio in Yeovil and district, has appointed two more prominent local people to its bid for a permanent local radio station in the area.
The Managing Director of the Octagon Theatre 9n Yeovil, John White and Sherborne music teacher Rachel Britton have been recruited to complete the line up of directors who will oversee Mirage's licence application.
A resident of Yeovil, Mr White (56) has worked in the entertainment industry for over 40 years, and for the last 18 has been in charge of Yeovil's hugely successful Octagon Theatre.
During that time he led it through a number of changes, taking it from what was a public hall to creating what is now the most popular leisure facility in South Somerset. As a strong protagonist of the local arts scene, he will provide a vital link to ensure the station is kept in touch with events at grass roots level.
Rachel Britton has been teaching in South Somerset for several years and is now Director of Music at St. Anthony's at Leweston. The 32 year-old is extensively involved in the local music scene with activities as diverse as playing the church organ and singing in the Sherborne Chamber Choir. Rachel will be particularly keen to make sure Sherborne and the surrounding area to the east of Yeovil is properly represented at the top level of Mirage FM.
The Chairman of Mirage FM, Robert Stiby said of the appointments: "I'm delighted that both John and Rachel have recognised the hard work Mirage FM has already done in building strong links with the local community in South Somerset and West Dorset. They will provide invaluable expertise and a unique fund of local knowledge to help create our future success."
Speaking of his appointment, Mr White said: "I passionately believe Yeovil is long overdue for a radio station of its own, and as a director of Mirage FM I will ensure the station strives to broadcast top quality news, information and programmes which are above all entertaining and have the widest possible appeal."
Other board members of Mirage FM are Rob Maybury (founding director), radio experts Lisa Kerr, Ian Axton, and Philip Evans, managing director of South Devon and Somerset Series of Newspapers Ltd, publishers of the Yeovil Clarion.
Mirage FM has been campaigning for a local radio station in the Yeovil area since 1997, and was instrumental is persuading the Radio Authority to create a new licence for the town.
Other known applicants include YDRfm, Merlin and Ivel FM