Hertford's radio station came a step closer to fruition as HertBeat FM took possession of their new studio building in Knebworth Park on Friday 27th October.

Studio Complex

The studios and offices, which will be among the most advanced in the country, are in the old Pump House close to Knebworth Cricket Club.

The programming schedule is beginning to take shape, with Richard Saw presenting the morning show. Richard has been presenting the morning news on Kent's Invicta FM for over a year and has also worked as a producer and journalist.

Stephen Folland, a local boy, fills the 10-2 slot. Steve has worked in radio, TV and new media and will be involved in many aspect of production at HertBeat.

Station Director Lester Cowling (left) and HertBeat Vice-Chairman Robbie Owen

The Drive Time slot is filled by Sarah Champion, who has also worked as a journalist and newsreader. She has also worked as a model!

Robbie Owen, HertBeat's Vice-Chairman said that the decision to have the studios at Knebworth had followed several weeks of negotiations with the Knebworth Trust, which is carried out the conversion work.

The Pump House was built over a well which once supplied the water to the Knebworth estate. Now new internal walls have gone up to provide a main on-air studio, a news studio and a production studio that will be used for pre-recording items and for training. In addition there will be offices and a conference room.

The station are still recruiting a sales team and news staff, together with freelance presenters.

Newsroom

Over the next few weeks and months, equipment will be installed and transmitting masts erected at Knebworth and Cole Green.

To see The Radio Authorities' assessment of HertBeat's application click here.