Sun FM - Wear FM

Wear FM

The station now known as SUN FM was launched in 1990 as Wear FM (Sunderland Community Radio Association) was initially led by Pieta O'Shaughessey. Reputedly the station could also be received as far away as Middlesbrough by attaching wire coat-hangers and lengths of wire to radio aerials, which were positioned outside of teenagers' bedroom windows.

The station gained international acclaim for its community programming and social inclusion. Its finest hour came with the winning of the Sony Award for UK Radio Station of the Year in 1992. Covering Durham and Sunderland, the station faced competition for its licence when it reapplied for it in February 1994, with competition from the Wearside Broadcasting Company. Although the licence was retained, times were not good at the station - tension between management and staff reached boiling point, and this led to a walkout in early March of that year, as protests raged about how the station was being run. They felt that, due to their base being at the University of Sunderland, a takeover by the same was imminent. The University made various attempts to save the station but legislation prevented a public body owning the station and a commercial buyer was sought.

Wear FM ceased transmissions in 1995 when it was taken over by the Minster Sound Group, who relaunched the station as Sun City FM. Wear FM's Studios in the Foster Building were taken over by the University of Sunderland.

WEAR FM SPORT

Mainly broadcast on a Saturday morning from 8am to noon. This programme was probably the most listened to programme on the station. Produced and written by Gary Ellwood and presented by Graeme Anderson. The programme covered all aspects of sport within Wearside. Fishing, Ice Hockey, Basketball and, of course, Sunderland AFC were covered in full each week. The Sunderland AFC hour from 11 am was its most popular item. Probably the first and only audio fanzine for a football club.

However all aspects of sport were covered with Ten Pin Bowling, Cricket, Rugby, Youth Football, Netball and anything else you could think of covered from time to time.

WEAR FM PRESENTERS - "THE GOD SQUAD"

Among the team that was committed to Presenting and producing from its birth to closure was Bary Wilson from Peterlee and Neville Whitehead from Shiney Row.Their main contribution was to the Sunday Breakfast Show Which covered faith and moral values. Their aim was to appeal to a wide section of population by the varied style of religious music available and Interview various people from all walks of life. .