Comment posted Parish pump politics pursue Bute FM by Angela Haggerty.
I spoke with the station manager who recently resigned, Richie.
All I can say is that there are more urgent questions than ever in my mind.
I know what the statement Mr Lyle gave to The Buteman said. I also know what he told me personally.
However, we digress.
Angela Haggerty also commented
- Iain,
Radio Bute is renting a back room in the Brandish Bute shop. That’s as far as the connection between the two goes. They’re completely separate organisations.
Two Radio Bute volunteers are volunteer community councillors, who do a great job in their roles. I think it’s brilliant to see people in one community who give so much of their free time to community projects and initiatives.
But to clarify, the community council has nothing to do with Radio Bute. Radio Bute is an entirely independent organisation.
Hope that helps
- Any comment on whether ForArgyll took any steps to approach Radio Bute for comment on the story before publishing it?
Is newsroom’s opinion based on information it receives from Bute Fm or does the journalist writing the copy take any steps to approach the others involved to gain a fuller picture of the story?
- I don’t know Bill but I don’t think he is, or has ever been, the station manager of Bute Fm, a community radio station. You have a duty to the people in this community. It’s time to step up.
- I think Iain Donald has just demonstrated wonderfully the hostility that so many of the large number of former Bute Fm volunteers have been subject to.
What saddens me is that ForArgyll gave this a platform without doing the background work on it.
It’s easy to contact Radio Bute, why did ForArgyll choose not to investigate the story thoroughly?
- That’s not for me to answer. Maybe you could contact Radio Bute and resolve the problem that way. Doing it this way seems to create needless drama.
But if I can throw a question back at you:
If Bute Fm has had no problem with a number of its volunteers volunteering at other radio stations throughout its time on air, why is this “reprehensible”?
Thanks, Iain. I’m sure I’ll get a response to my question from you.
Recent comments by Angela Haggerty
- Argyll and Bute Council defends £1.9m loan to Fyne Homes after local criticism
The project in its entirety has been 10 years in the planning. The credit crunch and recession will have changed demand for housing drastically.Given there are little career opportunities on Bute for young people, it’s no surprise that the target market of young first-time buyers doesn’t really exist on the island, or at least not enough of it does to sell 24 brand new flats.
- Excitement as Bute TV launches
Newsroom,I am most certainly aware that Bute Fm expressed an interest in local television. However, I don’t agree that Bute Fm can claim that the concept of local television was their idea.
I would be happy to work with Bute Fm if they would like to get involved with what we are doing. Aside from the meeting newsroom has alluded to, there has been no mention of IBTV anywhere locally – nothing in the local media, nothing on Bute Fm to my knowledge, nothing online.
As I was aware of Bute Fm’s interest in the area, I did plenty of research before I agreed to move forward with our own idea of Bute TV. There would be no point in having two local television channels, after all.
The company IBTV was registered in July 2010. It’s almost 2012 and aside from one meeting, there has been no mention of local television on Bute from Bute Fm or IBTV.
Our idea for local television is very much our own and only forms part of several ideas. In fact, I’ve spoken before with ForArgyll staff on my ideas for covering local issues in the online world. This is my area of professional interest and what I hope to continue to do.
Is nobody allowed to do it because Bute Fm expressed an apparently mild interest almost 18 months ago?
I agree with newsroom, Bute does not at all want to become ‘The Isle of DisBute’ and I hope Bute Fm will embrace what we are doing.
The door is, and has always been, firmly open.
I won’t speak for any of the others involved in the Bute TV project, but I have had an incredible interest in local media for years, and I find it disappointing that newsroom does not acknowledge that when it comes to local, I’m more than capable of having my own ideas.
To Bute and beyond!
- Alcohol, social cost, government policy and the retail power lords
Agree that there is a big problem with supermarkets in this country. Not only is their cheap alcohol policy a detriment to our young people’s health, it is putting the pub trade out of business.I suppose the same could be said for all the industries the likes of Tesco has decided it wants a hand in. Cut the prices lower than all the other main competitors in the industry until they can’t survive any longer.
Monopoly of the market etc, we know where it’ll go. Meanwhile, our high streets and town centres are getting emptier. And let’s not be too quick to blame the recession, it was happening before that.
I have a real concern about supermarkets. I worried when the new creamery in Campbeltown was being planned – a big chunk of it was subsidised by the Scottish government. Most of the rest came from the sale of its old creamery site to Tesco, who planned to use the space to build a much bigger store.
It was just a bit frustrating when the creamery on Bute was in the process of being shut. A creamery that had a significant amount of funding from HiE just a couple of years before to buy brand new state of the art equipment. All so it could sit in an empty creamery and gather dust because First Milk said it was not financially viable.
The supermarket policy has been a factor in helping destroy what’s left of the farming industry. The supermarkets have them by the balls, for want of a better expression.
Ironic that First Milk saw the part funding of their new creamery by this deal with Tesco as a success. It’s like hammering the nail into your own coffin, is it not?
I’m sure there’s a lot more to it than I know, there always is.
Mike Russell doesn’t think supermarkets have that bad an effect on little Scottish towns. If you look at Inverness, the new Tesco has only made the town centre busier, according to him. I suppose I should have asked how many surrounding smaller/more insignificant towns have been destroyed because of it, but I didn’t think to at the time.
I disagree with him about the effect supermarkets have, and it does worry me. I hope the SNP’s supermarket concern stretches further than just the alcohol issue, because it is a much bigger (potential) problem.
- Is RET ferry fare subsidy for islands to be extended or not?
Any news on the outcome of the Scottish Ferries Review, or when findings are expected to be released? - Scottish Election 2011: the all nighter
haha, I just said on twitter I’m giving it another few hours yet to see if I wake up.
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Hear Hear
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It’s four now. More coming forward
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Are you in bed with the Donalds? For a newspaper you sure seam to be on their side. You clearly do not know the truth about what has happened here but you have the cheek to comment on it. FOR ARGYLL is a joke and you prove this every time you come up with your own ego full self important nonsense. Instead of people liking your on line paper, you have become a joke to us here on Bute who know the truth. We sit and laugh at all your made up rubbish. PS which one of the Donalds is paying you or are they writing this themselves or are you in bed with them?
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Did newsroom approach anybody at Radio Bute for comment on this story before publishing?
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Regardless of what point your making bill, your attitude and language is appalling. Unfortunately this behaviour is in fact a common attribute to some residents on Bute (as I’m sure there are elsewhere). Before Angela points this out (as she always does) I am Iain Donald’s fiancee and I can assure you For Argyll is definitely not in bed with him. If you know a bit about it Angela, can I ask. Who and under what circumstances did radio Bute think it was appropriate to approach or rather target certain volunteers? Do they not have enough talent on their own? They said they were never in competition to Bute FM yet, it would sound the same would it not? I only ask this because this behaviour has implied volunteers as property. As you only convene on online forums I see one of your regular supporters have joined in the conversation so I will fill you in on what people on the Isle of Bute think, the community that you speak often of, the unheard voice because they don’t have any online voice…..they are “sick”, “disgusted”, “appauled” at the behaviour that radio Bute have dispalyed. Before you ask these aren’t mates or buddies of Bute FM, these are people who care about the island and are sick and tired of the island being turned into a three ring circus with people whom they have never met or heard of claiming to be their voice. Bills comment shows the nasty attitude that has breeded under these conditions. I’ve said quite a long piece but it is my final piece. Ciao
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Sorry Robin, but the record shows that it is Bute FM who have (incorrectly) assumed proprietary rights over volunteer presenters. Look at the history before making crass comments
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Surely the way to question is for members to call an egm and have it out, take democratic steps and move on.
I dont know what the continuing fight is about but time to put it to bed or challenge in the appropriate manner.
One disgruntled presenter or director does not constitute a mutiny by any yardstick but if there are issues theyneed to be faced and fixed for the good of the Bute community.
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Perhaps with both a Facebook page and a website, any one of whoever is actually on the committee of Radio Bute have ample means of expressing their opinion on the matter, rather than relying on self-appointed community spokespersons.
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Robin my dear. Bute Fm are guilty time and time again but yet their arrogance lets them hold on to the deluded belief that they are right. And the community are behind this new station and are sick of the Bute Fm saga. Today Iain Donald posted a statement from Bute Fm that has created yet another storm. All you have done again is show yourselves up and given more people the chance to laugh at this joke. We all await more nonsense from Bute Fm because that is what we are all used too. Sorry if the truth hurts.
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Here is the post Bute Fm put out today on their web page
Attempted Poaching of Volunteers
Posted by IainD on July 19, 2012 · 1 Comment
Bute FM learned late last night that a former director of Bute FM has contacted at least two Bute FM volunteers and asked them to join his internet radio station.
We find such behaviour to be nothing short of reprehensible. It does little to support the fledgling station’s oft-repeated mantra of being “complementary to Bute FM.”
Indeed it serves only to highlight the intended continued division of the community by certain individuals.
“We find such behaviour to be nothing short of reprehensible.quote, unquote”.
Shocking statement there many say!
I think it is Bute Fm who’s attitude, manners and language are at fault here yet again.
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I took the liberty of asking the Radio Bute station manager, Graham Leonard, if he had been approached for comment by ForArgyll. He hasn’t.
Can ForArgyll do some homework next time before publishing? Newsroom has published allegations without making much effort to substantiate them let alone give the accused the right to reply. Pretty poor show if you ask me, no pun intended.
On another note, Bute Fm has had plenty of volunteers in the past who have also been volunteers with other radio stations, so the outcry over this is a bit baffling. Unless, of course, they’re just rattled by the competition.
A bit of competition will probably provide a better service for listeners.
That can only be a good thing.
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2 community radio stations on Bute is, i fear, 1 too many.
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Unfortunately Phill, so many people have had to leave Bute Fm that the only alternative is for them to either give up something they love or to go it alone.
I don’t know if ForArgyll did any article on it, but the new station manager that Bute Fm paraded in the media just a couple of months or so ago resigned his position within three weeks.
Yes, three weeks.
Maybe ForArgyll doesn’t print those kinds of stories.
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Fair enough Angela. But what do you think is/are the problem/s specifically.
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Robin’s opinion is worthless since it is biased. If Bute FM had any street cred, then they would have let this pass without comment. What is Bute FM afraid of? Yet again the Management have fallen into the trap of ineptitude. Radio Bute have every right to ask whomsoever they wish to broadcast. Bute FM’s volunteers are members of a free thinking community and if they wish to give their free time to local broadcasting then that is their choice. Bute FM have no right of exclusivity here. Grow up Mr Donald! Get out more!
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What are Bute FM guilty of Bill?
I’ve been there since Febuary & have seen nothing to warrant these unfair attacks against them. They have always been fair with staff & from what I have seen strive to do the best they can to serve the community. Often under difficult circumstances by those putting them down in the community, & those deliberately keeping them out of the loop regarding community events.
I don’t know the ins and outs of what happened in 2010, & I don’t want to know. That was two years ago, it’s the past & I am only interested in the here & now.
The last station manager left because he said the job wasn’t for him. Not because he had a problem with Bute FM. In fact if he finds time to do it. He said he may present a show on Bute FM in the future.
Nobody who is anti Bute FM has ever really explained what it is that warrants this attack on Bute FM.
So I challenge you. Tell me, what exactly are Bute FM doing wrong at the moment? Can anyone explain/debate it sensibly.
All I see is childish hostility & shouty comments which have nothing of substance.
With all this silly in-fighting, we may end up with Bute no longer having a community radio station, which will be sad.
This hostility to Bute FM makes no sense to me.
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Angela –
Before you make Bute FM look bad he left because it wasn’t for him, which was published in other newspapers/news websites.
And I’m sure there were perfectly good reasons for the previous presenters leaving. Their egos too big and they don’t get what they want so they flip out and leave.
Also your views are 100% biased, and you may say the same about Bute FM but nothing you say will ever be impartial or for that matter true.
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The problems have been well documented. In short: bad management, lack of transparency, lack of accountability and a service which leaves a lot to be desired.
It’s either management’s way or no way, hence the outpouring of volunteers. There’s no wiggle room, no compromise.
I’m just glad that the volunteers who have left Bute Fm feeling frustrated and unappreciated now have something to put their talents into.
As I say, competition will probably provide a better service anyway, and it’s better to have a productive solution to this sorry situation than leave a number of unresolved issues festering in the community.
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Lies, all lies.
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Ritchie, I do not have time explaining points to you that have already been pointed out time and time again. You
need to do your own research on this, it is well documented.
You say you don’t want to know the past but then you challenge me to tell you??? Then you say it all makes no sense. How can it make sense if you do not know the facts but do not want to know the facts?
No one has problems with the presenters, it is the management and as you say you have only been about for a while so you are not privy to all the ins and outs that we are.
Today’s silly incident comes from Iain Donalds pathetic and childish outburst on the Bute Fm web page and then the article that For Argyll wrote.
Good luck in all you do with Bute Fm but know the bad taste in peoples mouths has been brought on by Bute Fm and the way the management have ran the show for the past few years.
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I spoke with the station manager who recently resigned, Richie.
All I can say is that there are more urgent questions than ever in my mind.
I know what the statement Mr Lyle gave to The Buteman said. I also know what he told me personally.
However, we digress.
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Volunteers come and go all the time for various reasons at Bute FM, The number stays about the same at 50 or thereabouts.
As I have said before, and recent actions have borne out. There are people who are dead set on destroying ButeFM …for the advance of their own tittilation.
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Elizabeth
This storm today came out from Bute Fm, not from anyone outside. So Bute Fm have themselves to blame yet again. Your Robins mum are you not?
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Man this is going to be a long post, you might want to get a cup of tea or something.
I have read about what happened in 2010. I get the impression from reading it, that it isn’t the full story. And only half the story about what happened is told.
However what happened then, isn’t now. How the station is performing now is what’s important.
I personally feel the management do a good job. I honestly have nothing to gain from saying this. I am just a humble volunteer & this is my honest opinion as a Bute FM volunteer. I like to say what I think also, & this is genuinely how I feel.
You can’t have a station without management, it would quickly fall apart. There has to be rules. None of the rules are enforced with an iron fist. Any rules are there out of respect for fellow presenters doing their shows, & to help with the running of the station, they are not there for management.
I’ve never been made to feel ‘it’s managements way or no way. ‘ In fact the opposite. Management are always very open to new ideas & suggestions. And always very good at explaining why something can’t be done.
Every meeting I’ve attended has been transparent & accountability hasn’t been an issue, for me anyway. I am always made to feel we are all in it together & any issues are allowed discussion & often get resolved.
I can’t comment on what it was like in 2010 as I wasn’t there. But in the present, the here & now, I can’t see any problems with how it is run.
Again, it is how the station is doing now I want to focus on, not how it was in the past. The past is the past. Everyone makes mistakes, nobody is perfect.
We recently did a community survey & are in the process of making changes to the schedule & adding new content in response to those answers from the community. Obviously you can’t please everyone & naturally have to go with what the majority of the community want, not a small minority.
Any volunteers who have left while I’ve been there, bar one, have done so because they are unable to work there any more due to other commitments in their lives, not because they feel disgruntled.
The bar one, whose name I won’t mention, because it is not right for me to do so, chose to leave, he wasn’t sacked. He had been behaving without respect for other presenters or the radio station. He was warned & given a chance to sort it out, & he chose to resign.
This is just my opinion as a volunteer at Bute FM. I have nothing to gain, & if I felt something was wrong there, you can be sure I would say so.
My opinion is it is a great, chilled out, happy place & I enjoy being a volunteer there.
The hostility towards Bute FM just makes me feel sad to be honest.
Again I’m not posting this to promote anything or put anyone down. This is just my honest opinion on the matter.
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Richie, it’s great that your experience at Bute Fm is a positive one, that’s exactly what you want from a community radio station.
I wish you all the very best
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Thanks Angela. All the best to you too
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The Radio Bute station manager, Graham Leonard, released this statement today:
“As Station Manager of Radio Bute, I feel I need to respond briefly to the accusations that have been posted on social media and other websites regarding the “poaching” of presenters from Bute FM.
“I can say that no one was asked to leave Bute FM and come and present a show here at Radio Bute. I have been approached by both past and present presenters, asking if they could do a show and help with Radio Bute. I have considered all approaches on an individual basis. I must admit I am suprised at the numbers of current presenters who have approached me and offered their services.
“I have openly encouraged presenters to do shows on both radio stations to develop the individual and enhance them as a presenter. We at Radio Bute do not have a problem with that.
“Volunteers give their time freely, it is their decision what they do with that time, they do not need to be told.”
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Very interesting. Volunteers have always been able to do with their time what they want and often do. But I have just one question:
Is that a categorical assertion that no current Bute FM volunteers were asked by anyone from Radio Bute to present a show on Radio Bute but that they volunteered their time?
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I am an outsider, as most readers are, not knowing most of the characters involved, nor the complete history.
Maybe Bute FM need to start completely from scratch again.
A new committee who were not involved at all with what has gone on so far could manage the current situation with help from public meetings to enlighten the future.
12/12/12 has been given as the date for a rise in human conciousness. To rise above EGO, turn the other cheek and go forward in a way which will be good for Bute as a whole.
Those who cannot do that should be OUT
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That’s not for me to answer. Maybe you could contact Radio Bute and resolve the problem that way. Doing it this way seems to create needless drama.
But if I can throw a question back at you:
If Bute Fm has had no problem with a number of its volunteers volunteering at other radio stations throughout its time on air, why is this “reprehensible”?
Thanks, Iain. I’m sure I’ll get a response to my question from you.
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Thanks for not answering the question. I’d expect nothing less from you. And, as for creating needless drama, a little bit of pot, kettle, etc.
Perfectly happy to answer your question though. Nice to actually be asked something rather than responding to lies, rumour and innuendo.
The underhand and devious way in which more than one member of Radio Bute has gone about approaching current Bute FM volunteers is reprehensible. To now see that Radio Bute’s first Station Manager is deflecting this onto current Bute FM volunteers is doubly so.
In the past Bute FM volunteers have volunteered with other stations – and some still do – but these have never been internet radio stations set-up by disgruntled former Bute FM directors.
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I think Iain Donald has just demonstrated wonderfully the hostility that so many of the large number of former Bute Fm volunteers have been subject to.
What saddens me is that ForArgyll gave this a platform without doing the background work on it.
It’s easy to contact Radio Bute, why did ForArgyll choose not to investigate the story thoroughly?
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Iain interesting how you at last come out to talk after years of hiding behind your volunteers who stood up for you.
let me go over your words
‘Thanks for not answering the question. I’d expect nothing less from you’. it is you who does not answer the question and we all have come to expect nothing less from you. So yes pot calling pot kettle back here!!
‘Perfectly happy to answer your question though’.
Interesting how you hid for years and have not answered anything till now!!
‘Nice to actually be asked something rather than responding to lies, rumour and innuendo’.
you have been asked time and time again but you chose to hide away and not face the questions or drama you your self started.
‘The underhand and devious way’. We have evidence of you and other members that use underhand and devious ways time and time again.
‘In the past Bute FM volunteers have volunteered with other stations – and some still do – but these have never been internet radio stations set-up by disgruntled former Bute FM directors.ff’. AHHHH shame, you running scared everyone might leave you. Get a grip Iain, you have already ruined a great community project and now your squealing like a pig.
And Richie, glad you have no issues with Bute Fm and have stood up for them but remember, lots of people have had problems with them and they are not in the wrong.
I have now had my say and leave Bute Fm to continue to show its self up yet again.
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I think we can let the readers of For Argyll decide who has shown hostility to whom and when.
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I don’t know Bill but I don’t think he is, or has ever been, the station manager of Bute Fm, a community radio station. You have a duty to the people in this community. It’s time to step up.
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We’ve been watching the chop logic in some of the comments with an open jaw.
Basically, if you’re any good you find and build your own talent, you don’t sniff around the readymades another outfit has helped to develop.
Very particularly there is something unpleasantly predatory about targeting talent in a station you may have been party to undermining – and when it has rebuilt, against constant sniping, you creep around to pilfer its new resources for your own ends.
Whatever the arguments that may be advanced to make this sort of behaviour seem acceptable, they just aren’t.
There is no set of sound values we are aware of that could support this.
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Any comment on whether ForArgyll took any steps to approach Radio Bute for comment on the story before publishing it?
Is newsroom’s opinion based on information it receives from Bute Fm or does the journalist writing the copy take any steps to approach the others involved to gain a fuller picture of the story?
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I think Angela Haggerty has just demonstrated wonderfully the art of hypocrisy.
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And I would say that Iain Donald has just shown himself and his radio station up YET AGAIN. Sad but true.
Iain has ruined a great concept and now cries when others who don’t want to work with him set up alone.
You created all this drama Iain now take responsibility for your actions and stop throwing your toys out of the pram.
Angela has stood up to injustice time & time again and she also answers questions, you can not do that and have proved time and time again, it is funny how now when people were not interested in Bute Fm and had moved on that your come out crying.
It is boring posting to fools who live in self made ivory towers so I will not post again on this topic. But I will sit back and watch you ruin your station even more. Good luck Iain, glad your so sure your so right and everyone else is wrong.
And good luck Radio Bute, I wish you well in your new venture.
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Well I think the article has done what it meant to do.
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Theres another point to this brandish bute / bute forest are using there shop to air the new station from , i think this is wrong as its not what the bute forest and brandish bute was set up to do , it cant use tax payers resorses to under mined a already established project. if two of the bute radio people weren’t bute community councilors i dont think this would have happened. may be these councilors should concentrate there efforts on getting bute basic facility s for kids and not pursue there own hobby’s as this seems to happen all to often on bute. (abit off topic) sorry
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Iain,
Radio Bute is renting a back room in the Brandish Bute shop. That’s as far as the connection between the two goes. They’re completely separate organisations.
Two Radio Bute volunteers are volunteer community councillors, who do a great job in their roles. I think it’s brilliant to see people in one community who give so much of their free time to community projects and initiatives.
But to clarify, the community council has nothing to do with Radio Bute. Radio Bute is an entirely independent organisation.
Hope that helps
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