Terry Lee, Senior Tutor in Radio & Audio at the University of Bedfordshire, Outgoing Chair of the Community Media Association (CMA) and coordinator of Radio LaB, attended a special reception at Buckingham Palace last week, hosted by Their Majesties The King and Queen, recognising contributions to local and regional media across the UK.
Around 500 representatives from local newspapers, broadcasters, and community media organisations were invited to the prestigious event held on Wednesday 26th March. Terry attended in recognition of his work with the CMA, the UK’s representative body for the community media sector, as well as his work with Radio LaB 97.1FM at the University of Bedfordshire.
Terry was among the guests who had the opportunity to speak with The King:
“I was lucky enough to shake the King’s hand. He asked me about my work at the University of Bedfordshire and was genuinely delighted to hear that we had enthusiastic students studying media. He was also impressed to learn that they share responsibility for running a full-time community radio station. He even recalled his recent visit to Luton to open the Luton DART and asked if that was still running okay!”
The reception was also attended by other members of the Royal Family – The Duke of Gloucester and The Duchess of Gloucester, along with government representatives, including Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy. The event offered a rare opportunity for those involved in regional and community-focused media to come together and celebrate the vital role local journalism and broadcasting play in the UK’s cultural life.
Terry not only had the opportunity to meet the Royals but also to talk with other like-minded community media representatives:
“By the end of the evening, hundreds of happy media people were gathered outside the palace gates, taking photos and swapping stories,” Terry said. “New friendships were made, and it was a reminder of how strong and passionate the local media community is across the UK.”