VECTIS Radio has been nominated for 'Station of the Year', and five other awards, at this years' National Community Radio Awards.

It is the first time in the station's four year FM period it has been nominated for the highest accolade.

Station manager, Ian Mac, said he was blown away by the award and for the 4Ps radio training school to be nominated for the fourth year in a row, was amazing.

He said: "It means we must be getting something right; building confidence and communication skills in young people using the main ingredients of radio.

"Being nominated in the two top awards, Station of the Year and Community Development, is something that we are very proud of and is a testament to the young people involved."

Vectis Radio is also in the running for 'Live Event or Outside Broadcast of the Year' with the success of the Christmas carol concert in a car park, at Tesco Extra in December.

Run by a number of Ryde churches, but broadcast on Vectis Radio, 150 cars, and their passengers, gathered in a Covid-safe way to celebrate Christmas.

Organiser, Paster Oli Tucker of Grace Church said they were thrilled with the nomination as Vectis Radio helped the churches tune in to hear the age-old Nativity story, despite the imminent lockdown.

He said: "We sang ‘Hark the Herald’ and we honked our horns to ‘Hosanna in Excelsis!’, 2020 may not have had the Isle of Wight Festival, but Christ and his Christmas brought light and life to the Island-and all through our radios!"

Isle of Wight County Press: A decorated camper van at the carol in the car park service. Picture: Rob SkinnerA decorated camper van at the carol in the car park service. Picture: Rob Skinner

Despite the success of the car park carol services, the churches intend to hold in-person services this year.

The community radio awards are set to take place later this month in Coventry, returning to an in-person event.

Here is the full list of awards Vectis are nominated for:

  • Community Development Project of the Year - The 4Ps Training School
  • Station of the Year
  • Live Event or Outside Broadcast of the Year - The Carol Concert in a car park
  • Sage Person (Over 60) - Kelvin Currie
  • Innovation Award - Roberts Lockdown Story - The 4Ps Training School
  • Short Breaks in Lockdown - The 4Ps Training School