Success for SURGE :: Wessex Scene Online

Success for SURGE

7th December 2007
Liam Hornsby

Rate this story

More by Liam Hornsby

It was another success for SURGE radio on Thursday 15 November after they scooped three awards at the National Student Radio Awards.

The team, who were nominated for ‘Best Branding’, ‘Technical Innovation’ and ‘Best Journalistic Programme’ for Surge Newsweek, received silver in all three categories.

It is the third consecutive year that Newsweek has been nominated at the awards and walked away victorious. Amy Williamson, Head of News at Surge, said that the team "would continue to work on digging beneath the headlines and bringing the stories that matter to Southampton students." Amy also assured that next year, Newsweek would be going for the gold, repeating the victory of James Laidler’s original team back in 2005.

The awards, which was held in the New Connaught Rooms in Covent Garden, was chaired by BBC Radio One’s Jo Whiley and hosted by Edith Bowman and Scott Mills, a former student of the University. The venue provided the thirty-five members of the SURGE team with a three course meal and free drinks to enjoy in luxurious settings alongside their awards.

The after-party, hosted by DJ Tim Westwood, provided amble chance for the team to mix with the stars. Alex Zane proved a major attraction for the ladies whilst Steve Lemacq and new presenter Greg James congratulated the students on their awards. Newsweek managed to interview nearly all of the DJ’s, instantly justifying why they are the second best journalistic student programme in the country. Keep your ears open for these interviews and the DJ’s views on student radio in the next couple of weeks.

Nick Culley, VP Media and Communications, and Jeni Bolitho-Jones, producer of SUSU.TV ensured that Southampton’s newest media venture did not miss out on the festivities. All the stars, and the Surge team’s celebrations, were caught on camera and will certainly act as testimony to the University’s outstanding media department.

Station Manager, Stuart Davis highlighted that the awards were only possible because of the "awesome facilities provided by one of the top studios in the country." He said he was "proud to be leading the three hundred odd team to victory once again" and appeared confident that next year, Surge would be going for gold: "Surge is already one of the top stations in the country, but now we want recognition of that. With the framework put in place this year, our aim is to better the already great achievement of silvers, and make a trophy cabinet in the studio worthwhile!"

You can tune into what is once again, the top student radio station in the south on 1287AM or online at www.surgeradio.co.uk. The award winning Newsweek is broadcast every Friday and Saturday at 1pm. Homepage http://www.surgeradio.co.uk.