Bute FM Statement
Over the past weeks, several stories have appeared in the local press and online regarding recent events at Bute FM. As you can imagine, we have received some phone calls, emails and letters regarding these events and I would like to take this opportunity to attempt to address some of the recurring themes in the correspondence we have received.
I must state that I fully understand and appreciate the strength of feeling recent events have created within the community at large. It is clear that Bute FM is very important to a lot of people and that many people care deeply about the station. That said, a number of individuals have chosen to make their feelings known through abusive phone calls, text messages and emails, which will be reported to the relevant authorities. Also, some comments made in public forums about Bute FM presenters, volunteers, or their families and friends have caused great offence and served only to upset innocent parties. However, most messages – both supportive and critical – have been reasonably put and it is these which I would like to address today.
We received several questions regarding the removal of Mike Blair as a volunteer, director and DJ on 9th August. A statement was posted on 10th August with regards to this, and once again we would like to thank Mike for all the work he did helping to get Bute FM up and running and during our first year of broadcasting. To date, Mike and I have continued dialogue but I will make no more public statements on this matter – any issues are between Mike and I, and I have no intention of making them public.
We also have received many questions about the events surrounding the broadcast of ‘Have Your Say’ on Friday 20th August, as it has been suggested that Bute FM were attempting to ‘silence’ or ‘censor’ the presenter of this program. It is not, and has never been, the intention of Bute FM to dictate content to any of our presenters, however due to Ofcom regulations it was necessary to request that the presenter did not discuss recent events, as to do so could seriously jeopardise Bute FM’s position with the licencing body in the event of an investigation. I appreciate that some people may have further questions or concerns regarding this, but unfortunately I am not legally allowed to discuss this issue at present, which frustrates me just as much as I am sure it must frustrate many of you. I will be happy to discuss with interested parties in more detail when I am able to do so, but in the interests of Bute FM that time is not now. I cannot stress enough that this is not an attempt to evade difficult questions; rather it is out of a desire to keep Bute FM able to operate as the radio station that so many people have put so much work into and the community evidently values so greatly.
If anyone has been offended or upset by any actions carried out in the name of Bute FM then I would like to apologise. And should any of our former volunteers wish to discuss with me directly any particular concerns they might have then I am still willing to speak with them. I will continue to endeavour to reply to any direct enquiries from members of the public or press, but must point out that Bute FM does not have the capacity to contribute to discussions or answer questions posted on social networking sites or online message boards, as the demands of delivering 18 hours worth of live broadcasting every day takes priority.
It is an honour and privilege to be involved with Bute FM and, with your help, we can soon move beyond recent events and continue entertaining and serving the whole community, as we have done for the past year, and plan to do so for many years to come.
Iain Donald
Bute FM Station Manager
Bute Highland Games
This year’s event takes place on Saturday 21st August 2010 at the Public Stadium, Rothesay on the Isle of Bute.
Bute Highland Games 2010 Honorary Chieftain will be Actor and founder of Spirit Aid, David Hayman.
For more information about the day contact:
David Anderson, Delhi House, 19 Craigmore Road,Rothesay, Isle of Bute. PA20 9LB
Telephone: 01700 505256
or visit Bute Highland Games website
The Bute Highland Games have gradually grown in status and strength, to their present position as one of the major events on the Highland Games calendar.
All competitions at Bute Highland Games are run in accordance with Amateur Rules and Regulations. The preparatory and organisational work is carried out by volunteers.
Official Statement
Since the removal of Mike Blair as a volunteer by the Bute FM Steering Group we have, perhaps unsurprisingly, received a few comments on and questions about the reasons for this action.
As with all stories there are two sides, and ours begins in October 2009 – on the day before our bag-packing fundraiser in the local supermarket.
Mike was informed by a fellow volunteer that they would be unable to make their show that afternoon. He ignored escalation protocol and decided that he would be filling that slot. On his arrival later in the afternoon he was told by the Station Manager that a different show would be broadcast. Mike’s reaction was to shout abuse at the Station Manager, announce the he was leaving, storm out of the premises and slam the door behind him. This behaviour was witnessed by a number of volunteers and some shocked visitors.
After a cooling-off period, Mike was allowed to return on the proviso that he massively improve his conduct towards both the Station Manager and other volunteers.
Sadly this was not to be the case, as his personal animosity continued towards the Station Manager and certain volunteers, during both volunteer meetings and in his discussions about the aforementioned people -behind their backs – with a small group of other volunteers and listeners.
Over time, a large number of complaints from Bute FM volunteers, listeners and advertisers were presented to the Station Manager about aspects of the Breakfast Show.
A selection of quotations from these complaints includes such worrying terms as “sycophantic”, “sickening”, “selfish”, “hostile and unappreciative environment”, “offensive”, “patronising” and “enough to make you choke on your cornflakes.
When advised of these complaints and given instructions on removing certain items from the Breakfast Show, Mike proceeded to criticise the complainants – a practice which continued long after the decisions were made.
Once again, when the hours of the Breakfast Show were altered as a result of evidence presented to the Station Manager about the considerable loss of listeners, Mike continued to discuss and criticise this decision and others with his small band of followers.
This action resulted in him alienating himself from a large majority of the body of volunteers that now comprised the station and almost entirely cut-off the Breakfast Show from the rest of Bute FM’s schedule – as evidenced by the prize give-away on the station’s birthday, with some donors thinking that they were donating to Bute FM and not just one part of it.
Yet again a number of complaints were received about this behaviour and the Station Manager received information about more supporters turning off.
Throughout this period comments were repeatedly made on a public forum about other volunteers and the Station Manager and yet more station guidelines were wifully ignored or trampled upon.
It is clear to us from these actions (and others which cannot be discussed here) that Mike Blair has proven himself to be untrustworthy and unable to function as part of a team, which is why he has been removed as a volunteer.
The Bute FM Steering Group
One Year Old!
An incredibly significant milestone for Bute FM as we celebrated our 1st birthday at midday on Thursday 15th July 2010!
A number of special items took place to mark the occasion, with the schedule being as follows:
2am-5:45am Jukebox
5:45am-10am Biggest Breakfast with Mike Blair and Karen McKirdy
10am-12pm All In A Day’s Work with Greig Aird
12pm-1pm Bobby Wilson’s Little Lunchbox
1pm-3pm Bob Sutherland
3pm-5pm Hillbilly Bob’s Country Show
5pm-6pm Meghan Bagan
6pm-7pm Top of the Pops: 60s-70s with Alan Donald
7pm-8pm Rhona MacQueen
8pm-9pm Through The Years with Robin Chandler
9pm-10pm Our Tunes with Iain Donald
10pm-2am Ed Clark’s American Old Time Radio Show
2am-7am Jukebox
So stay tuned and enjoy the next year as much as we will!!!
Iain Donald
Station Manager
11 Months Old!
Another small but significant milestone for Bute FM as we celebrated our 11 month anniversary at midday on Tuesday 15th June 2010.
A huge big thank you to everyone who has helped us and to those who continue to help us to this day!
from Iain Donald, Station Manager
and all the Bute FM team
10 Months Old!
Another small but significant milestone for Bute FM as we celebrated our 10 month anniversary at midday on Saturday 15th May 2010.
A huge big thank you to everyone who has helped us and to those who continue to help us to this day!
from Iain Donald, Station Manager
and all the Bute FM team
9 Months Old!
Another milestone for Bute FM as we celebrated our 9 month anniversary at midday on Thursday 15th April 2010.
A huge big thank you to everyone who has helped us and to those who continue to help us to this day!
from Iain Donald, Station Manager
Rothesay Creamery – some good news!
After talks on the island on Thursday 1st April (no joking) it looks like there may be some promising signs. Read more in the Buteman exclusive available in the link below:
8 Months Old!
Another milestone for Bute FM as we celebrated our 8 month anniversary on Monday 15th March 2010.
A huge big thank you to everyone who has helped us and to those who continue to help us to this day!
from Iain Donald, Station Manager
Internet Listeners
This problem has been resolved.
To all our internet listeners, please be aware that due to intermittent local internet connectivity problems (as a result of the extreme weather we have experienced recently) our live stream is subject to periodic interruptions. Thank you for your patience in this matter!
This information was valid from 7am on Thursday 25th February, until further notice.
Iain Donald, Station Manager
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