THE Cat Community Radio made history this week by launching the region's first ever dedicated full time FM radio station.

The Cat went live on 107.9FM at 8am on Valentines Day with Paul and Julie's Saturday Toast, after 21 years of short broadcast licences and a successful internet radio service.

The first show started with a four minute track of voice clips dating back to the first broadcast 21 years ago on Youth FM, to YFM, Witch FM and leading right up to The Cat's current show promos and brand new station imaging.

A team of Cat Presenters were present in Crewe and Nantwich Town Centre from 10am-3pm, playing 107.9FM through a mobile PA system, engaging with the local community through leaflets and telephoning into the studio.

Twichy The Cat travelled from Nantwich Town Centre to Crewe Town Centre, stopping at a number of locations for photographs and to give away two bunches of Valentines flowers kindly donated by local florist Agapanthus.

Knutsford Guardian: The Cat team launched the station in Crewe on Saturday

The Cat team celebrated the impending start of their five year community FM licence with a launch party last week at Harrison's Cafe Bar in Nantwich.

Volunteers from the not-for-profit broadcaster, donned their finest suits and dresses and joined together for an evening of speeches, nostalgia and networking.

The Mayor of Nantwich Town Council was present along with representatives from Crewe Town Council, Cheshire East and South Cheshire College, representing the major financial benefactors of the station.

Chairman Chris Radford addressed the party by thanking those who had supported the station over the past 21 years, and praised current and past volunteers for their hard work in preparing for the launch.

Vice Chairman Chris Cadman said: "We have always believed that Crewe and Nantwich deserve their own dedicated station, so to be here now celebrating, is quite some achievement."

Chris Radford said: "This is a historic time for the two towns. Not only will our FM licence allow us to reach out to a broader audience, but our state of the art facility will enable us to offer unrivalled training and work experience and will no doubt help launch even more careers in media as well as serve the community in which we live with up to date local news, weather and travel reports."

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