CRFM gains royal recognition for rural work

CRFM has received a Royal Countryside Fund grant recognising its radio work with rural communities across Cumberland.

Managing Director Darrell Thomas met Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh during a Royal Countryside Fund event at the Rheged Visitor Centre.

Darrell discussed how CRFM reaches communities beyond Carlisle’s main population centre and takes its programmes directly to towns and villages across the area.

The Duchess showed particular interest in Farmers Weekly, a regular feature following events at Howebeck Lodge Farm in Hesket Newmarket and offering an insight into daily farming life.

CRFM was among 16 organisations from Cumbria and Northumbria to receive a grant from the fund.

The station has attended the Cumberland Show, Dalston Show and Gilsland Show during the past two years. Its Tour of the Towns has also visited Longtown, Brampton, Wigton and Dalston.

Baroness Kate Rock, Director and Trustee of The Royal Countryside Fund, also praised the station’s farming coverage and its inclusion of rural communities, agriculture and local events.

Darrell said: “It was a great honour to be awarded a grant from the Royal Countryside Fund, particularly because they recognised that CRFM’s programming and output reaches the underrepresented towns, villages and hamlets of rural Cumberland and not just the main populated areas of the city.”

The fund also highlighted CRFM‘s work with young people. More than ten teenagers have received practical broadcast training and experience at the station, with one later securing a BBC apprenticeship.