UK Community Radio Network conference and Community Radio Awards 2025

Over the past few years I’ve ‘live tweeted’ various conferences and events I’ve attended. Given that Twitter/X is becoming increasingly ‘troublesome’ and tweets are no longer publicly available (you need to have an account to read.) I decided to use BlueSky instead for my live blog from the UK Community Radio Network conference and Community Radio Awards 2025.

Below are the Bluesky posts embedded (later I’ll replace with native copies so you don’t need to click through to see larger pictures etc.)

On the road to Bradford for UK Community Radio Network conference and Community Radio Awards today. #[email protected] Updates throughout the day here.
— Phil Edmonds (@philedmonds.uk) 2025-10-25T07:59:06.146Z

Connecting Communities 2025 National conference at Bradford Life Centre getting going with coffee and look round the trade show.#UKCRNconnect
— Phil Edmonds (@philedmonds.uk) 2025-10-25T09:41:12.333Z

Getting ready for the morning sessions. We've got Ashdown Radio talking income, The Community Radio Environment Network and funding.#UKCRNconnect
— Phil Edmonds (@philedmonds.uk) 2025-10-25T09:44:09.543Z

Start with updates on UKCRN activities.
— Phil Edmonds (@philedmonds.uk) 2025-10-25T09:46:01.888Z

Gary King on diversifying income streams, as getting grants are hard.Ashdown run business expo made £1,205 profit. Makes money but open advertising leads as well.#UKCRNconnect
— Phil Edmonds (@philedmonds.uk) 2025-10-25T09:49:24.180Z

Other Christmas and Spring Fair, "a lot of work" but got income from business who might not think of radio advertisingDid paid ads on Facebook as well – Mae the cost back.
— Phil Edmonds (@philedmonds.uk) 2025-10-25T09:52:33.871Z

Business expo – cheaper than other similar events, negotiated room in the hotel for free and various contra deals for promotions.
— Phil Edmonds (@philedmonds.uk) 2025-10-25T09:54:49.059Z

Gary says without the events wouldn't have covered their costs, found advertising income dropping.Question asked about what station volunteers think, says the events tend to run themselves so big input from vols needed.
— Phil Edmonds (@philedmonds.uk) 2025-10-25T10:05:41.137Z

Ian Wolstenholme deputising for Penny Southgate from My Earth Week event, organised by Community Radio Environment Network.#UKCRNconnect
— Phil Edmonds (@philedmonds.uk) 2025-10-25T10:08:40.885Z

As a "user" of the broadcasts says it's a useful extra source of content for the radio station.
— Phil Edmonds (@philedmonds.uk) 2025-10-25T10:13:30.261Z

Ian does on the fly example of some of the pre recorded content pulling up a shared Google drive on his phone to play a clip of Chris Packham interview.
— Phil Edmonds (@philedmonds.uk) 2025-10-25T10:20:33.510Z

Audience participation time…..
— Phil Edmonds (@philedmonds.uk) 2025-10-25T10:21:49.570Z

Alex Airnes from K107fm on alternative income streams.Highlights Easy Fundraising site.#UKCRNConnect
— Phil Edmonds (@philedmonds.uk) 2025-10-25T10:36:16.318Z

Alex says you need to get all your volunteers on board as an easy win, but need to be careful on-air messaging pushing online shopping over the local shops.
— Phil Edmonds (@philedmonds.uk) 2025-10-25T10:43:54.660Z

Coffee and biscuit time in the break at today's Community Radio Network conference.#UKCRNconnect
— Phil Edmonds (@philedmonds.uk) 2025-10-25T10:56:20.144Z

Final part of "morning" sessions now. With session from CHAOS and Cornwall community radio network.#UKCRNconnect
— Phil Edmonds (@philedmonds.uk) 2025-10-25T11:19:00.930Z

Cornwall media network portal shares content between stations.
— Phil Edmonds (@philedmonds.uk) 2025-10-25T11:23:22.772Z

Interestingly group training sessions bootcamp covers various community radio topics
— Phil Edmonds (@philedmonds.uk) 2025-10-25T11:27:26.337Z

Reduced local content from BBC and commercial gives opportunities for Community Radio, with "Community Radio Day" simulcast across all the county's stations each doing a slot each.
— Phil Edmonds (@philedmonds.uk) 2025-10-25T11:30:55.725Z

Announced the idea of Community Radio week. February next year, with various support, Inc CR manager meeting, funding event and "let's get techy" day.
— Phil Edmonds (@philedmonds.uk) 2025-10-25T11:40:07.050Z

Dom Chambers next with a panel on 20 years of Community Radio#UKCRNconnect
— Phil Edmonds (@philedmonds.uk) 2025-10-25T11:41:38.836Z

Dom does a bit of a history review of pre licenced Community Radio in the UK and introduces a panel of stations from different nations of the UK.
— Phil Edmonds (@philedmonds.uk) 2025-10-25T11:47:58.916Z

Lunch and look at cool tech in trade show.And onto the afternoon session at todays Community Radio Network conference #UKCRNconnect
— Phil Edmonds (@philedmonds.uk) 2025-10-25T13:16:15.312Z

From local airwaves to Big Brands with event sponsors PR firm Be Broadcast on their work with Community Radio #UKCRNConnect
— Phil Edmonds (@philedmonds.uk) 2025-10-25T13:18:28.007Z

Suggests listening numbers are not as important as you might think. Be clear on what you offer.
— Phil Edmonds (@philedmonds.uk) 2025-10-25T13:23:13.620Z

Generative engine optimisation.Tools such as Chat GPT draw their info from many different places. Info from your website may appear in AI answers.
— Phil Edmonds (@philedmonds.uk) 2025-10-25T13:29:38.595Z

Why do brands not use Community Radio?CR poor at sharing their success and impact.
— Phil Edmonds (@philedmonds.uk) 2025-10-25T13:31:48.843Z

Be Broadcast has a fortnightly newsletter, but find it hard to find Community Radio stories.
— Phil Edmonds (@philedmonds.uk) 2025-10-25T13:35:18.045Z

Fix Radio events manager Kerry Cobb tells us about story of Fix Radio.#UKCRNconnect
— Phil Edmonds (@philedmonds.uk) 2025-10-25T13:38:23.756Z

Suggests no RAJAR figures not a problem using digital analytics and other feedback and also pay for some Nielsen research – which particularly researching members of target community "engagement" rather than "numbers" is what they use.
— Phil Edmonds (@philedmonds.uk) 2025-10-25T13:46:32.509Z

More listening research
— Phil Edmonds (@philedmonds.uk) 2025-10-25T13:52:00.821Z

Panel on the future of Community Radio. Jamie Pritchard Bro Radio, Javed Sattar CMA, Meah Howlett CHAOS Radio#UKCRNconnect
— Phil Edmonds (@philedmonds.uk) 2025-10-25T14:00:27.215Z

Interesting discussion point on developing young people into Management roles not just being a DJ.
— Phil Edmonds (@philedmonds.uk) 2025-10-25T14:17:11.394Z

Rebecca mentions impact reporting. Wavehill Community Radio Research every minute a community / voluntary group on air has £5 of impact.
— Phil Edmonds (@philedmonds.uk) 2025-10-25T14:33:31.094Z

Last session Stephanie Hirst talking about her radio history.#UKCRNconnect
— Phil Edmonds (@philedmonds.uk) 2025-10-25T14:48:41.566Z

Stephanie talks stories about making it all about the audience and how people make people remember features years later.
— Phil Edmonds (@philedmonds.uk) 2025-10-25T15:01:32.801Z

"Community Radio is the new ILR" so important to tell local stories.
— Phil Edmonds (@philedmonds.uk) 2025-10-25T15:12:53.963Z

Stephanie "I'm a full on radio nerd" but fine line between being an "anorak" and a "broadcaster".
— Phil Edmonds (@philedmonds.uk) 2025-10-25T15:16:34.802Z

A trip to the beer bus ahead of tonights community radio awards @ukcrn.bsky.social
— Phil Edmonds (@philedmonds.uk) 2025-10-25T17:43:04.467Z

Narrowly missed out on having to make any speeches, with Gold's going to some other worthy winners, but still some great recognition for my colleagues at @oldhamcommunityradio.com @allfm.bsky.social @wfmradio.org
— Phil Edmonds (@philedmonds.uk) 2025-10-26T15:16:48.865Z

So just to round up The Community Radio Awards 2025 in Bradford. Was a good do.#UKCRNconnect
— Phil Edmonds (@philedmonds.uk) 2025-10-26T15:09:59.095Z