Radio hams signal for help

Fingers crossed: Dave Carden is hoping for a permanent meeting place for his much-loved amateur radio society

A determined group of amateur radio fanatics are on the hunt for a new meeting place, after their previous abode was destroyed by fire.

Rochdale & District Amateur Radio Society has been going strong for almost 20 years, but has dwindled after Bamford Fieldhouse Cricket Club set ablaze last year.

Now the keen bunch, who are still meeting up at the Cemetery Hotel, Bury Road, are on the lookout for a permanent, ideal meeting place where all their expensive equipment can be safely stored.

The cricket club has began refurbishment but can no longer accommodate the club.

Dave Carden, who leads the group, hopes his appeal through Rochdale Online will help in his quest to land somewhere permanent.

He said: “Since the fire, we have experienced a drop in members from about 50 to about 20.

“This isn’t a recruitment exercise, it is an appeal to help us find somewhere ideal to meet, and hopefully our old members will come back."

The club has been in existence in its present form since 1990 and had been located at the Bamford and Fiedhouse Cricket Club since 1997.

Current membership includes both licensed amateurs and short wave listeners whose interests range from vintage radios, slow and fast scan TV, satellite communication, computers, microwaves, QRP and home built equipment to photography, clockmaking, motor racing, model engineering and flying.

Can you help? Please email dave@radars.me.uk