ROMBALDS Radio presenters and founders Nick Babb and Stuart Clarkson got the chance to speak to the Culture Secretary during a reception for champions of local media held at Downing Street last week.

Nick and Stuart, who set up the digital radio service for Ilkley, Skipton and Keighley during the pandemic in 2020, spoke to Lucy Frazer about the station and its plans to expand to broadcast on DAB in the future.

The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport hosted the Local Media Champions reception at 10 Downing Street for dozens of people from across the UK on April 19 to celebrate the important work of outlets including radio stations, community websites, magazines and newspapers. 

Ilkley resident Nick and Stuart, who’s from Silsden, were invited to the event as guests of the Keighley and Ilkley MP Robbie Moore, who has himself appeared on the radio station a handful of times to answer questions from listeners about both local and national issues.

Nick, who also runs the Ilkley Chat web and social platforms, said: “It was quite surreal to walk through the famous door of Number 10, but a real honour to be invited to make the trip to London in recognition of our work to create a professional radio station for our area that connects audiences with everything going on locally.”

Stuart added: “What an experience to attend an actual party in Downing Street! We were pleased to get a few minutes to speak directly with the minister in charge of radio, to discuss some of the themes of the upcoming Media Bill and how the government can support projects like ours to grow and thrive in a changing landscape for the industry.”

Robbie Moore, MP for Keighley & Ilkley, said: “From keeping us informed about the latest news and events to shining a light on the issues that matter most across Keighley, Ilkley, Silsden and the Worth Valley, our local media outlets provide a vital service to residents and play an essential role in our democracy.

"It was therefore an honour to invite two local media champions, Stuart Clarkson and Nick Babb, to Downing Street to celebrate their contribution to our local media.

"I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all those who work tirelessly to keep us informed, whether at the Keighley News, the Ilkley Gazette, Rombalds Radio or Ilkley Chat. It is vital that we continue to support local media by subscribing to their newspapers, tuning in to their radio stations, and engaging with them on social media. Local media has never been so important."

Rombalds Radio - named after folklore giant Rombald who is said to have lived on the moors between the Aire and Wharfe valleys - was launched by professional broadcasters Nick and Stuart in August 2020 and continues to attract new audiences each week. A small team of presenters, each with years of experience on commercial radio or the BBC, keep listeners updated with what’s happening across the Ilkley, Skipton and Keighley areas in amongst an upbeat mix of music from the 60s through to the present day.

Rombalds Radio has also provided presenters to host numerous local events over the past three years including Ilkley Carnival, Skipton Christmas Lights Switch-On, Skipton Sheep Day and Silsden Proms on the Farm.

Co-founders Nick Babb and Stuart Clarkson both previously worked for local commercial radio stations Fresh Radio and Stray FM, which have since become part of the national Greatest Hits Radio with programmes no longer being broadcast from the area. Nick is also the founder of the award-winning Ilkley Chat which celebrates its 10th birthday this year. Alongside his work for Rombalds Radio, Stuart is a freelance newsreader for BBC Radio 5 Live.

Find out more and tune in today at rombaldsradio.com