ContactSaxon Radio, SGR FM
"Saxon Radio - listen to the music..."
Saxon Radio, SGR FM
Saxon Radio, SGR FM
Research has shown that commercial radio first came to the Bury St.Edmunds on 6th November 1982, with Saxon Radio, broadcasting on 1251AM and 96.4FM, taking it's name from the fact that the area is renowned for its links with the visit of Saxons in centuries past.
After a career with various BBC national radio stations, and BBC Television, it was Brian Cook that set up (1981) and then managed the station. A check with the Radio Authority website during research for this site, showed a reference that SGR Suffolk & Classic Gold Amber came to air seven years previously on 28th October 1975 - approximately one licence term. No further clarification is known at this stage.
It was another local station Radio Orwell (97.1) that operated as sister station to Saxon Radio under the management banner of SGR - Suffolk Group Radio. In 1997, GWR were well into their acquisitions, and, after a shareholder (& other interested parties ) battle, East Anglian Radio's four stations fell into GWR control, taking the company close to the maximum ownership levels then of 35 stations. The usual re-branding to 'today's better music mix' and later 'today's best mix', plus a change of staff followed.
The current SGR licence refers that the station is a contemporary/chart music and information station for the under 40s in the Ipswich and Bury St. Edmunds area,. Musically, the station plays current chart hits, new releases or hits up to ten years old. Up to 25% may be hits over 10 years old. Specialist music programmes for a target audience, which fit in with the main musical content of the station can be aired for up to 30 hours in a week, in off-peak programming hours.
The station is part of the GCap Media plc group of companies.
Information amended from the excellent Aircheck UK webpage
Saxon Radio and SGR Jingles
- Saxon Radio - jingles demo from David Arnold (1985)
- Saxon FM - main cuts from Century 21 (1990)