Increased coverage 'down south' for Salisbury's local radio station

Tuesday, 15 September 2026 13:08

By Staff Writer

The Goat Downton and Ian Jeffs from Hop Back Brewery

Following increased demand from residents living in the ‘far south’ of Wiltshire and around the New Forest, Salisbury Radio tomorrow officially switches on its third digital transmitter.

The addition of the station’s third transmitter will better serve the Fordingbridge and Downton areas, complementing the two which already serve the city in the middle and Amesbury to the north.

Not shy of heralding small successes and celebrating with a quality local ale, some of the radio station's team will be meeting-up at popular Downton local The Goat Downton, where Craig Hicks will be broadcasting his afternoon show live, talking to local brewer Ian Jeffs from Hop Back Brewery.

"We are grateful to Karolina and Darren and their team at The Goat for allowing me to come and use the pub as my studio base for the afternoon", says Craig Hicks.

"I'm also really pleased that Ian from Hop Back Brewery will be joining me. Fresh from his appearance at Friday's Local Hero Awards, he'll be talking about the brewery, its history and it's 'compact and bijou local shop' in Downton".

Sam Alford from the Salisbury Radio Pink Panthers will also be at The Goat with goodies and giveaways to anyone who wants to pop in for a pint, say hello and request a song.

Managing Director David Harber adds, "Just as we are about to forge a much closer relationship with the people, businesses and civic organisations in Amesbury - which I think is often overlooked by local media - it's only fitting that we also turn our eyes 'down south' and also help better promote Fordingbridge and Downton's wide variety of services, events and businesses".

The transmitter based in Verwood is a partnership with award-winning community radio station Forest FM, which has just celebrated its 20th. anniversary.