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With BBC local radio being decimated and commercial radio only providing limited local output and content (one even having recently left the FM wave band), with everything else coming from remote studios, the value of genuinely local radio continues to be demonstrated week-in, week-out, by the team at Erewash Sound which is a non-profit making social enterprise. 

We're always working hard to provide an entertaining, dedicated, genuinely local radio station 24-hours a day with a team of experienced volunteers.  So we absolutely love it when you write to us and tell us what you think and how much the radio station means to you.  

If you'd like to tell us how you found out about us, what you like about the radio station and perhaps who you used to listen to, we'd love to hear from you!

You can write to us at Erewash Sound, 37 Vernon Street, Cotmanhay, Ilkeston, Derbyshire. DE7 8PD, you can send e-mail to info @ erewashsound.com (or click here), text your message to 88440 starting with the word 'erewash', send a WhatsApp message to 0115 930 3450 or find us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Threads, Instagram and TikTok!

Here are just some of the many comments we've received from listeners from across the borough and further afield too!

Speaking publicly, Erewash Borough Council leader Councillor James Dawson said: “Erewash Sound is increasingly becoming a must-listen for local people thanks to the fantastic work it does in our borough."

Mark wrote to us after attending an Armed Forces reunion on the south coast and told us how much listening to The Retro Show with Mark Bennett helped.  He said: "It was an emotional time, as we have lost three of us in recent years, but hearing your forever excellent show in my back garden (in the Long Eaton area of the Erewash Valley) has been an amazing end to an astounding weekend. All my love to you, your family and all of the Erewash Sound crew!"  Thank you Mark.  As a non-profit making organisation run almost entirely by volunteers, that means a great deal to us and makes everything we do all the more worthwhile.

Wendy listens to all of our shows and presenters throughout the day and has been with Erewash Sound for a while now.  She said: "I moved to your station during the Summer of last year (2023) after listening to Radio Nottingham since it started".   Wow!  Thanks Wendy. Amid the well documented changes happening to BBC Local Radio, we're absolutely delighted that you have turned to us for genuinely dedicated local radio.

Mark wrote to us in what we think might be Derbyshire dialect, or dialect of some sort - or perhaps he just missed a letter on his keyboard - either way, we love the sentiment and the comment. He said: "Tha's a brill station. Well done!"

Andy says that we stand out on what he intimates is a dull dial: "One fantastic radio station...one of the very few that are decent. Superb!  Credit where it is due!  Keep up the good work!" 

Greg is a particular fan of our very own breakfast show presenter... "Greatest radio station around and Paul Stacey is superb on the morning drive time".

Nathan said: "My favourite radio station - I have you on all day, every day on 103.5FM." Thanks Nathan - and we LOVE the fact that you listen and that we're YOUR favourite!

Lynda said: "I have recently come across your station for local news and events and really enjoy the whole package, great presenters and music.  Well done to the whole team!"  Thanks Lynda.  We really appreciate your kind words about our programmes, and are really proud of being local. 

Erewash Sound really is available everywhere you go and WE love a good holiday!  Alison confirmed as such via e-mail: "We take you everywhere with us - you went to Tuscany with us in June, London in July and Sicily in September!!!  Please keep up the good work, you are all fabulous."

The staff at the PDSA shop in Long Eaton have us on regularly, even on Sundays when they're also now open to try and raise additional and much needed funds.  Brian said "We have the radio on always in store and in the back."  Thanks Brian.  We love to hear about these sorts of things and we hope our programmes help you through all the hard work we know you're doing.

Mick is now the recipient of an Erewash Sound car sticker Down Under to amaze his fellow ex-pat Ilkestonians living in Australia. He got in touch to talk about our overnight music mix: "I was born and bred in Ilkeston before I emigrated in 1989.  Of course, I mainly hear the overnight radio because of the time difference.  Anyway, I was wondering - does the radio station have any car stickers I can display on the back of my car here in Perth?  I am sure there are a few Ilkeston folk living here and it would give them a kick to see it!"  Mick - it might be the furthest flung of those that are out there!

Colin got in touch to tell us how much he loves listening to Erewash Sound and what the radio station means to him. He said: "I would like to thank you all so very much for having a wonderful radio station that I listen to each and every morning.  Without you Ilkeston and Cotmanhay wouldn't know what to do.  You give updates on road and travel, especially the trentbarton buses. Thank you for being erewashsound."  Thank you Colin!  We're very grateful for your kind comments which mean a lot to everyone behind the scenes.

The 2022-23 Mayor of Erewash Cllr John Sewell knows the power of local radio for promoting local events.  Attending the Ron Brooks Toyota, Ilkeston Open Day on Friday 29th July 2022 he said: "I've been talking to lots of people - there are people here from Broxtowe, Long Eaton, Sandiacre, and, actually, the people from Long Eaton heard about today's event because they were listening to Erewash Sound.  Fantastic!  It just shows what Erewash Sound can do for the local area!"

Proving that there truly is a global audience for Erewash Sound, Iván got in touch to say: "Hi! I have been listening...for a couple of weeks. Congratulations on the musical selection. You have a listener at least in the Canary Islands."

We asked for your support to help fill lorries bound for the Poland/Ukraine border and you responded in droves.  Thank you:  The manager at Ilkeston-based Lobina Transport which was gathering items they had collected themselves as well as those provided by the public said: "I can't believe how many people had brought donations because they'd heard it on Erewash Sound!"

Julia from Long Eaton isn't the ONLY one who loves our Thursday night speciaist show!  She said: "I'm also now an avid listener of GEMS, as are some of our friends.  Great show!  Very much appreciated here."

Mike recently wrote to us and said: "I have been a long time listener to Radio 2 for many a year.  Just a few months ago, I happened on Erewash Sound. I was getting fed up with radio concentrating their output on 80s, 90s and beyond music, with few from the 70s and 60s. There was scant air time given to pre-Beatles music and rock 'n' roll might have not even existed.  I now listen regularly to Erewash Sound.  I find your music mix more appropriate for a wide audience age. (I'm rapidly approaching 80 but still love my music whatever era)."

Former BBC local radio listeners Kathryn and Eric said: "We now prefer Erewash Sound so much more...plenty of great music."

On a local social media page for his local area, Dave Freeman said: "I've just discovered that Erewash has a radio station!  I've been listening in for a few days now and quite impressed.  Good choices of music, especially golden oldies etc.  Has kept me entertained for sure!"

Alan said: "I recently moved to Cornwall but still like to listen to Erewash Sound..."

Marc told us that he is "...loving the tunes so far and they are getting me in the mood for what may be quite a late one..."  "The advantage of an almost empty office today is that I can have your show on the app and in my headphones to keep the spirits up!"

Joseph loves what he hears too - he said: "Thanks a lot for great tunes all year..."

John has told us what he REALLY thinks about us! "It's on that brilliant radio station called Erewash Sound..."

Pam found our output quite surprising... "The music tonight has been so good, just when I thought it couldn't get any better, you play Etta James. Fab-u-lous darlings!"

...and there was this from Lizzie who was just passing through but we'll take it: " I am loving listening to you and, as an absolute radio anorak and fan of the former Radio Trent, I have been so happy to find Erewash on my old radio dial!!! I am visiting my folks.  All the best, Lizzie."