History


History
Many years of involvement in radio and the music business has brought together a band of enthusiasts from the South Coast of England. They have over the years put their individual idea's alongside those of colleagues to create and launch a radio service for the true rock music fan. Hastings Rock was born out of passion for good music. For quality sound and for professional output. The music policy is clear, if it's not rock then you won't hear it. We do not try to impress everyone, for no radio station can do that although so many try. We have a large and very loyal audience. Interaction with our listeners has built up a play list and record library second to none in our field.

1990 - 1993
Hastings Rock started as an idea to provide a local radio service to the Hastings area, that would be different to those existing at the time. In early 1990 Nicholas Apps wrote to Mr David Vick of the Radio Authority, the governing body that controls and issues licences for commercial broadcasting in the UK. He enquired about the possibility of obtaining a radio licence to broadcast to Hastings. Mr Vick replied, explaining that at the time there was no licence available.
After presenting a Rock show on Radio Cracker, a station broadcasting on one of the recently introduced 28 day restricted service licences (R.S.L.) during December 1991, Nick was astounded by its popularity.
Studio at the Cinque Ports Hotel for the first broadcast, in 1993	Inspired by this, he carried out some research around Hastings to assess the viability of a radio station carrying a rock music format. Finding the results to be favourable, he formed the Hastings Rock group towards the end of 1992. Its members included his wife Elaine Apps, plus Jon Robson, Steve Apps, Brian Sims, Pyers Easton, Simon Veness and Micheal Burr.
Hastings Rock carried out its first R.S.L. in August 1993, broadcasting from the Cinque Ports Hotel.
An overwhelming response was received from that broadcast, proving that the format was very popular. Many people wrote to the station after it had gone off air, commenting that Hastings Rock was the only station that catered for their music tastes and kept them informed about local news and events.

1993-1995
It was clear from the response that had been received, there was a strong case for a station broadcasting a rock format and plans were set in place for further trial broadcasts.
Some of the team contributing to the station in April 1995	A second R.S.L. took place from premises in Robertson Street, Hastings in April 1995. The format was changed slightly for this broadcast in order to give it a slightly broader appeal. The rock music played in the peek listening hours was lighter than before, attracting more listeners and advertisers. There was also more information on local events and news bulletins than in the previous broadcast.
Due to the success of the second broadcast, a third and final R.S.L. was carried out in December 1995 from the old dairy at Silverhill, St. Leonards. This would be the last trial broadcast as a permanent license for a small scale station for the Hastings area was due to be let early in 1997. Whilst bidding for the permanent license was in progress, no R.S.L. broadcasts could take place. The format for the third broadcast was much as before, a rock format mixed with local news and information.
Hastings Observer, December 1997	After this, preparations were made to bid for the permanent local license. A limited company was formed, Hastings Rock Limited, and backers sought in order for a viable bid to be made. The radio industry is a highly competitive business and it was important to have a sound financial base as well as a successful format. What had started as a group of enthusiasts with a passion for rock music, suddenly became very serious business! It soon became clear that another group was interested in setting up a radio station for the Hastings area, and so a competitive bid was in progress for the one available license. Much hard work was put in to form a bid that would convince the Radio Authority that Hastings Rock should be the selected station. However it was not to be. The bid is a complex process that takes into account many aspects involved in setting up and running a radio station, and is not just limited to the type of programmes that will be broadcast.
Hastings Rock was not selected for a permanent license and it would be over four years after the broadcast in 1995, before the station would be heard again

May 1999
Whilst the loss of the bid for the permanent license was a bitter blow, during its period of silence, Hastings Rock continued to receive letters of support asking if and when it would return. Eventually, this pressure became too great for Nick Apps, the stations founder, and special broadcast was planned as 'a thank you' to all of those who had supported the station in the past.
The date for the fourth R.S.L. Was set for May 1999. It would not be a trial as before but a charity broadcast, with all profits made during the transmission donated to the Hastings and Rother Macmillan Cancer Relief Appeal.
Hastings Observer, 1999	In a press release of April 1999, Hastings Rock organiser, Nick Apps commented: "With the recent resurgence of interest in Rock music we feel that this is the right time to return and will also be an excellent way to raise money and awareness for a very worth while local charity." Some changes were made to the format, the most significant of which was the introduction of a play list during the daytime and certain evening programmes. It was hoped that this would broaden the appeal of the station and help reduce repetitiveness.
It proved highly successful with the station receiving a positive response from listeners. It was also the most profitable broadcast ever and Hastings Rock was able to present a cheque for £1106.40 to the local Macmillan Cancer Relief group.

May 2000
The 1999 broadcast was to be a 'one-off', a "thank you" to all of those that had supported the station over the years. However, the success of the 1999 broadcast prompted a Millennium outing for the Hastings Rock team! The premises at the Robert De Mortain, used the previous year, were offered to the station once again. These had proved very convenient as the site was a good location to broadcast from and there was plenty of room for the station to operate. It was also a popular venue with presenters!
Nick speaks to Johnny on our open night...	For the 2000 broadcast it was decided once again to make use of a play list for daytime and some evening programmes as this had proved popular with most listeners. We also kept the tradition of holding an open evening. Nick and Johnny went round and spoke to some of the many people who came along, and this was broadcast live on air. Not only did it provide useful feedback but it was also a good night out!
... and Johnny speaks to one of the many people who came along.	With the increasing availability of the Internet, it was felt more use could be made of this. The web site was completely redesigned, providing more information from 'behind the scenes'. It was possible for the first time to publish weekly play lists and charts, and provide information about some of our specialist programmes. For the first time, it provided an opportunity for listeners to comment on our programmes and a survey form was posted on the site for this purpose It is still available so if you heard our programmes and would like to comment on them, click here.
The cake made by Jerry Woolett for our last night of broadcast.	For our final night of the 2000 broadcast, we sent an open invitation to our listeners to share our last evening on air, by joining us at the Robert De Mortain. One dedicated Hastings Rock fan, Jerry Woolett, had baked a cake, which we shared out on the night. It was a fantastic effort, featuring the 'roses and thorns' logo and the words "Hastings Rock 107 FM - Thanks for a great May 2000". Thanks Jerry.
Hastings Observer, December 2000	Hastings Rock has supported a local charity during each of its broadcasts and this year was no exception. We were able to report that we had raised £510 for our adopted charity, the local Macmillan Cancer Relief group. Pictured left is an article from the 'Hastings and St. Leonards Observer', published just before Christmas 2000, detailing the result of our fund-raising effort. Pictured left to right : Jon Robson, Marcia Dart for Macmillan, Nick Thomas and Ralph Winser.

If you have any comments about Hastings Rock and our programmes, feel free to contact us. Contact information can be found on the contacts page.