St Albans station hosts presenters for Local Radio Day

Thameslink station staff took to the airwaves today (Friday 24 May) as part of community celebrations at St Albans City station to mark Local Radio Day 2019.

With an ‘out of the studio, into the community’ theme for this year’s event, Radio Verulam broadcasted live from St Albans City station from 6am and 9am this morning, with presenters Nick Hazell and Richard Edwards chatting to station manager, Harsitt Chandak, station supervisor, Dan Wells, and commuters on their way to work.

On their ‘Good Morning St Albans’ show, Nick and Richard reflected on the 1868 train station’s heritage, the introduction of Thameslink’s more spacious Class 700 trains and the £5million transformation underway at the station.

First-time radio guest Harsitt, who has been a station manager for four and a half years, said: “I was pleased to welcome Radio Verulam this morning. Their presence made the station feel very lively and had a positive impact on commuters, who had a smile on their faces as they went past. There were a few people who were really intrigued by the broadcast and they were able to participate in the show as well.”

Station supervisor and former radio presenter, Dan, chatted to Nick and Richard about how he landed a job at St Albans station nearly five years ago and what he enjoys about his role, as well as the successful introduction of the new summer timetable. Dan said: “Commuters seemed to enjoy seeing the radio station here. It was quite different to an average Friday morning!”

Producer and presenter Richard said: “Broadcasting live from the city station was a great way to celebrate Local Radio Day 2019. Radio Verulam are very proud of the exclusive local and accurate travel service that we provide, especially on our breakfast and drive time shows. It seemed right to celebrate this at our local commuter station, whilst at the same time giving our listeners an insight into how the station copes with the morning rush and the excellent service provided by Govia Thameslink and station manager Harsitt Chandak and his team."

Colleague Nick added: “First, can I echo Richard's thanks.All of the team this morning were super-helpful.”

To listen to the broadcast, visit https://www.radioverulam.com/show/good-morning-st-albans/

At the beginning of the month station staff and the St Albans South Signal Box Preservation Trust held a community day at the station, during which volunteers installed wooden flower planters, bird and bee boxes and a bench to help transform St Albans station. The project was led by GTR’s Letchworth distribution team.

https://www.mynewsdesk.com/uk/govia-thameslink-railway/pressreleases/thameslink-community-day-creates-hive-of-activity-at-st-albans-station-2871640