OPEN-day attendees at the University for the Creative Arts in Farnham were pleasantly surprised as first-year journalism and TV production students launched their own radio station.

Set up by course leader Adrienne Rosen and technician Sophie Miller, it allowed first-year students to showcase their radio skills and to entertain listeners on the open day.

These students had previously undertaken an assessed radio unit in the last term of 2018, giving them the ability to run the radio desk and present a carefully-collated radio programme lasting the majority of the university’s open day.

Four one-hour segments and one 30-minute segment from 9.30am to 2pm allowed potential applicants, as well as existing staff and students, to enjoy four-and-a-half hours of easy listening.

Among the five students who volunteered to be presenters were journalism and media production students Aaingel Nathan and Adam Jones, as well as television and media production students Will Murray, Megan Isherwood and Lauren Webster. Aneela Bhalli, a television and media production student, approved all the segment song playlists and was integral to the success of the radio show.

Segments ranged from a prime-time music-based hour, to useful information about university life and general light conversation.

The radio station was set up in the refectory for the open day so the presenters were easily visible to people who were interested in what they were doing. This was broadcast in the refectory as well as the main quad on the Farnham campus.

Music composition and technology student Paulius Valteras produced a piece of music that Lauren and Aaingel were able to play in their Student Life segment.

Aaingel said: “It was exciting and worth all the work. I really think it was a success – it had to be because we’re doing another one soon!”

Aneela, who was in charge of the day’s music, added: “For our first attempt, I felt the radio show went very well. The music was one of the key highlights of the day and this experience will give us an understanding of what we could do better next time.”

The next radio show is set to take place on Wednesday, April 10.