A RADIO station has launched its second transmitter to cover east Anglesey and north Gwynedd.

MonFM Community Radio sent the new 96.8 FM transmitter live at Penmynydd as it aims to expend its service that promotes and maintain the Welsh language, playing a valuable role during the pandemic.

The second transmitter will be followed by a third at Nebo, Amlwch and a new studio at the station’s headquarters in Llangefni.

The expansion is being funded by the European Grant for Anglesey and Gwynedd, and Y Gymdeithas, formally known as The Isle of Anglesey Charitable Association.

The radio has been broadcasting important safety information and has made a positive contribution towards people’s mental health and wellbeing over the last year. Its volunteers have kept the local radio service going remotely from their homes for the last 14 months.

The station’s second transmitter came on-air the day before the Senedd elections which allowed listeners in Llangefni, Menai Bridge, Llanfairpwll, Llandegfan and the Menai Strait belt, including

Bangor, Caernarfon and surrounding villages to tune-in to live election coverage on the new 96.8mhz FM frequency from counting stations in Maesincle, Caernarfon and Plas Arthur, Llangefni.

Formed a decade ago, the station is run by unpaid volunteers has continued to grow in popularity and is always looking to attract new people interested in community broadcasting. The station is also available on-line with smart speaker technology like ‘Alexa’ and ‘Google’ but also with its FREE on-line App or via www.monfm.co.uk

MonFM continues to provide career opportunities for its volunteers, with some successfully gaining careers in commercial radio, with the BBC, TV and other media outlets.

The Chair of the Y Gymdeithas Charitable Fund, Trefor Lloyd Hughes said, ‘MônFM continues to provide a valuable community broadcasting service to the people of Ynys Môn and further afield.

The funding provided by ‘Y Gymdeithas’ will enable more consistent reception which will help tocommunicate key information when engaging with residents, businesses and visitors. Our trusteesare very pleased to be able to support the station’s expansion’.

Anglesey Council’s Regeneration Manger, Dewi Lloyd, who has led the ARFOR programme locally, said: “A consistent and reliable community radio service to cover all local areas equally will help to promote and support local communities and the use of the Welsh Language, and will make a valuable contribution to regeneration.”

MonFM’s acting Chair, Tony Wyn Jones said, ‘This is a culmination of six year’s planning, fundraising, site negotiations, and project management - we are very grateful to both Anglesey and Gwynedd Councils, National Grid, Cellnex and Welsh Water and our faithful volunteers for facilitating the expansion.

“We are now officially the licensed community radio service for Anglesey, Gwynedd and the North-West Wales coast, and we will continue to engage with communities, voluntary groups, public services and businesses across the patch – you can now receive MônFM on 96.8 or 102.5 FM – there is something to suit all from 7am until late into the night.”