All the fun of the fair... on the air!

Presenters

Patrick Heeley

 Patrick hails from West Sussex, and has a lifelong interest in commercial radio, founded in the days of pirate radio in the late 60's. He broadcast over several stations at that time, and was programme director for a "top 40" station in the South of England.He was a  keen campaigner for the introduction of independent radio in the UK, but went on to pursue a career in sales, marketing and management.
 
In 2003, he co-founded Steam Fair FM with Chris Evans, and took over the full management of the station in 2007.  "Planning this 10 day broadcast in all its aspects keeps me busy throughout the year" says Patrick, who is a keen music historian, and enjoys researching and playlisting the "Vintage Hits" which form the backbone of the station's output. "We try to combine the popular hits of the 50's to the 80's with some that are rarely played on other stations, but deserve to be remembered" he says. And he still enjoys sitting in the "air chair" to present programmes, 42 years on ! .
 
Patrick can be heard on Steam Fair FM alternate mornings and afternoons. Off air, he enjoys the countryside and is currently in the process of acquiring his own narrowboat. 

Jon Robson

Jon wears two hats at Steam Fair FM - he is responsible for all technical aspects of the station, as well as presenting his own daily show  every alternate morning and afternoon. He has worked in the radio industry for most of his career, starting as a technical operator for BBC Network Radio in London, and has worked at several key companies in the UK radio industry since then.
 
He also enjoys making  appearances the other side of the microphone and has worked on many RSL and satellite radio stations over the last 20 years, including EKR, Radio Caroline, Hastings Rock and Radio Airbourne. His passion for both great oldies music and vintage technology really comes to the fore at Steam Fair FM.
 
Jon is a keen sailor, and lives next to the sea in East Sussex .If you bump into him, ask him about his impressive collection of vintage Roberts radios!

Laura Jerome

2012 is Laura's 7th year with the Steam Team. She says "As you can see I'm the only girl on the presenting team...I know its a tough job, but someone has to do it! I really love  the great oldies on Steam Fair FM, and also enjoy a wide range of music -anything from Classic Rock, 80s/90s indie, and the odd West End Musical!   I also write songs and play... (well, try!) in a spoof rock band called 'The New Forest Pit Ponies' "
 
During the rest of the year, Laura can be heard across Southern Hampshire and the New Forest on Forest FM 92.3 presenting the highly rated Drivetime show weekdays 4-7 .   Laura also doubles as one of our "roving reporters" so look out for her on the field. "I get to meet so many characters, and then broadcasting a show knowing so many are listening in is just mind blowing. " says Laura. 

Tony Weaver

Tony hails from Kent, and joined the Steam Team in 2009, since when he has presented daily shows and compiled and presented weather bulletins,  a daily what's on guide, and assisted in the production of Showground Reports..
 
During a broadcasting career spanning 37 years Tony has founded a hospital radio station; made a series of programmes for BBC Local Radio; presented a variety of programmes at stations in Kent, Essex, Lincolnshire and Yorkshire; and currently presents a weekly magazine show on Gateway 97.8 in Basildon, Essex, as well as producing and presenting a weekly music show which is syndicated to stations in the UK, Spain, Canada and the U.S.
 
He has expert knowledge of UK music heritage, and states his favourite artists as the Beatles, Beach Boys, Stones, Hollies, Abba, Simon & Garfunkel, 10cc, Cliff, Elton John, Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Dusty, Lulu, Elkie Brooks, Alison Moyet, and Madonna!
 
When he's not on the radio Tony likes walking, playing bowls, watching cricket, taking part in pub quizzes and doing sudoku and crossword puzzles. 

John Church

Another veteran broadcaster with a story to tell, worcstershire-based John's first radio involvement came with the highly popular radio ship "Radio London" in 1967, where he was initially hired to co-host discos at a Spanish resort as part of a "Holidays with djs" promotion. Here he worked alongside the ship's top djs including Tony Blackburn and Ed Stewart. Government legislation subsequently forced the closure of the station, and John pursued a career managing and owning a chain of nightclubs , before returning to his first love - radio - during the last decade. He presents a regular show on "The Bridge" in Stourbridge, and also operates his own station on the internet, aimed at Motorhome owners.
 
John joined the Steam Team 6 years ago, and his regular mid-evening slot has become one of the station's most popular, due to his dry sense of humour!.He also manages editorial output and doubles as one of the station's "roving reporters". He can sometimes be seen incognito around the show site towing a Capybara, (large hairy South American rodent), which nevertheless he insists on referring to as his dachshund. This picture shows John in his "swashbuckling" days ! He still has a passion for boating today....

Eamonn O'Donnell

Eamonn is a native of the Republic of Ireland, where he worked in both commercial and community radio. Now based in leafy Surrey, this year is his 8th as a member of the Steam Team , Eamonn says " Its great to be back in Dorset for another year,  and its always nice to meet familiar faces and revel in the atmosphere of The Great Dorest Steam Fair. I have my own favourite exhibits at the show - in particular the dancing sheep - unbeatable! "
 
Eamonn can be heard regularly on air at Steam Fair FM, and is also a key member of the production team, readying showground reports  and other items for broadcast.

Roger Wrapson

Roger lives in Kent and has worked on a number of local radio stations in a variety of roles ranging from news gatherer and presenter to compere of  a weekly Jazz programme.He Is an occasional motor race commentator for the Vintage Sports Car Club, Radio Le Mans, and the Circuit des Remparts, Angouleme , France, and this year was asked to commentate at the Malta Grand Prix. In real life he is the Communications Director for the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs.

Roger is Steam Fair FM's Head of Traffic & Travel - listen out for his regular reports as he cruises the A354 and other surrounding "hotspots"!

Stef Bassett

West Sussex- based Stef  provides extra support to the team over the two weekends, providing traffic reports from his car and in the studio, and producing weather and other reports. His other radio work has included co-presenting and interviewing for the morning show on Susy Radio (Redhill/Reigate) which is soon to broadcast full-time as a community radio station.

Sam Elms

The youngest member of the Steam Team, Sam lives locally in Dorset and is currently studying Broadcast Technology at FdSc level, and hopes to continue to BSc level once he's finished the present course. Sam helps with production, and technical support - and is famous for setting up Steam Fair FM's own weather station at the studios!