Last Thursday (20th October) saw the Up Our Street Thank You Awards take place at the Trinity centre with over 50 local people being awarded for their work within the local community including BCfm radio’s very own George Moss & James Uzzell. Bcfm Radio board member Sherrie Eugene-Hart and station boss Patrick Hart hosted the packed event for the 4th year running which ended with a surprise award for none other than our CEO Patrick Hart.
As BCfm’s supremo thought his job for the night was over, he was greeted with a standing ovation as an array of community organisations thanked him for his work in the area. Visibly moved Mr Hart was actually lost for words as his father John presented his award on behalf of Up Our Street. The exact wording as read out by Sherrie Eugene-Hart on the night is as follows:
“This person is a very special person and community is at the heart of everything he does. He goes over and above to support individuals, organisations and groups and always offers help even if he does not have the answers.
Bristol has never had a community Radio station quite like this one. By now, you can probably guess who I’m talking about. When he took over BCfm 5 years ago his mission was to give voice to the voiceless, give air time to people who’s views are rarely heard and a platform for under represented groups to have their truth told.
Through the daily One Love Breakfast show he has, on many occasions held Politicians the Police, Educators and Transport chiefs to account by asking the right questions and be respectfully challenging.
He is known to ask awkward questions on behalf of the community regardless of how unpopular it may make him. He is a conduit for justice.
5 years on from his appointment as a Volunteer Station Manager, the BCfm Board made him CEO as he moves the station from strength to strength. Listenership is up, profile is up and people are talking about BCfm. But more than that, everyone at BCfm are volunteers. The presenters and technical staff come away with experience and skills that has potential to land them jobs with mainstream broadcasters like BBC and World service. This has happened time and time again.
Recently this person has turned his talents to the small screen where he is executive producer and co-presenter of The Carib-Asian Cookery Show produced for the Made network. Through this programme he continues to support up and coming creative talent like Director Mike Jenkins who presented on BCfm before turning his hand to TV Directing.
This person has sponsored sports kits for local football and cricket clubs, and gives up his time to help at events and special occasions like tournaments and public functions.
If that’s not enough he’s a wondrful husband, a father, brother and a son. The special ward goes to Patrick Hart”
Well Done Patrick from all at BCfm and of course well done BCfm radio….again.
