In the heart of Shaftesbury, a small town in north Dorset, a unique community radio station called Alfred has established itself firmly in the local area.
Founded by Keri Jones, the station and its website and social media offers hyper-local news and events coverage that larger stations simply can’t match.
In our latest podcast episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Keri about his innovative approach to community radio and the impact Alfred has had on Shaftesbury.
Keri’s journey with Alfred began with a simple yet powerful idea: to create a radio station that serves the immediate needs of Shaftesbury’s residents.
Unlike traditional community radio stations that often try to cater to a wider audience, Alfred focuses exclusively (and strictly) on a five-mile radius around the town. This hyper-local approach means that every piece of content is relevant and valuable to the listeners.
One of the most striking aspects of Alfred is its commitment to local news and information.
“Our strongest suit is going to be local news and information,” Keri says. “If you play music, you’re bound to be unappealing to some of your potential audience.”
By removing the typical radio elements like music and live shows, Alfred can focus all its resources on creating high-quality, relevant content. This includes attending local council meetings, covering community events, and even featuring stories about local history.
Making use of technology
Technology plays a significant role in Alfred’s operations, including the use of AI tools to streamline tasks like transcribing council meetings and repurposing content for different platforms.
However, Keri is quick to point out that AI is used ethically and always under human supervision. “We will never ever let anything be read out on air that’s not been written by a human, or at least checked by one of the team for accuracy,” he says.
Despite the challenges, including the loss of valuable team members and the need for more hours in the day, Keri remains optimistic about the future. He believes that the key to Alfred’s success lies in its ability to adapt and innovate while staying true to its core mission: serving the local community.
As we wrapped up our conversation, Keri shared some of the small but meaningful successes that keep him motivated.
From a local charity shop seeing increased footfall thanks to Alfred’s coverage to a networking group experiencing a great turnout, these moments of impact are a testament to the station’s value.
If you’re interested in community radio or looking for inspiration on how to serve your local community better, this episode is a must-listen.
Keri Jones and Alfred offer a blueprint for making a big difference in a small town.
