The VERY last link on Atlantic FM

Cornish radio station Atlantic FM bowed out in style on Sunday, as the station broadcast it’s last-ever show, ahead of being relaunched as Heart.

Nearly 30 people, including past and present members of staff and well-wishers gathered for an impromptu party at the station’s Wheal Kitty Studios, on the cliff top overlooking Trevaunance Cove in St Agnes.

The final show was presented by Matt Bunt and newsreader Chris Lawrence – two of the original team that helped to launch the station in 2006.

In his final link, surrounded by everyone in the studio, an emotional Matt said thanks for the support Cornwall has given the station during it’s life: “I would just like to take this opportunity, as the last presenter on the station, to thank you, on behalf of everyone past and present, for all you support.

“Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your lives, and thank you for sharing your highs and lows with us too.”

Matt continued: “You’ve made this the best job in the world, and it’s been an absolute pleasure to share in Cornish life for the last six years.”

The station then ended with Take That’s Never Forget, which also included a clip from the station’s first day on air in July 2006. Control was taken over by the Heart Studios in Exeter where they broadcast a sustaining music service until the launch of the new service the following day.

Atlantic FM was launched as Cornwall’s second commercial radio station in 2006, by local investors and Tindle Radio. The company was aquired in March by Global Radio, which owns local and national stations such as Classic FM, Capital FM and XFM. They announced that Atlantic was to become part of their Heart brand from May 7, with all programming moving to Exeter and London, resulting in a number of redundancies from the on-air staff.

During his link, Matt added: “Your brand new radio station for Cornwall launches tomorrow morning from 8am – there’s going to be lots of new voices, and one or two familiar ones as well so please support them, and we wish everyone at Heart all the very best of luck for the future.”

Although the studios at Wheal Kitty have fallen silent for the final time, they are still home to Heart Cornwall’s news, sales and promotional teams.