A COMMUNITY radio station torn apart by the sacking of its popular breakfast show presenter has appointed a new station manager.
Bute FM in Rothesay was at the centre of a furore in 2010 after Mike Blair lost his job.
The decision by station manager Iain Donald prompted a torrent of complaints from many of the station's 1000 listeners and triggered a wave of resignations among the 40 or so volunteers who staff the station seven days a week.
They raised concerns that Mr Donald's management style was "too autocratic", and the result was a long-running and bitter feud among some of the 7000 islanders.
Now the station is hoping to put its troubles behind it with the appointment of Douglas Lyle, who will assume his duties today. Mr Lyle, a family entertainer known to islanders as Big Dougie, replaces Mr Donald, 31, who stepped down as station manager in December.
He will, however, remain on the board of Bute Community Media Ltd, the licence-holding body, along with his father Alan and Mary Carroll who had been acting manager. Mr Donald was not involved in the appointment of Mr Lyle.
In a statement, the directors of Bute Community Media Ltd said: "We believe we have appointed the right man for the job. Unquestionably, Douglas meets the criteria we set out at the beginning of our search which was based on proven experience, leadership, a hard-working ethic and, most importantly, a shared vision for Bute FM.
"Douglas is someone with whom we will work closely and work well together. With our strong team of volunteers combining the necessary virtues of experience and the exciting potential of our younger presenters, our objective is to develop the station.
"Douglas's vast experience and proven abilities demonstrate clearly he is a strong leader and an ambitious man and we are looking forward very much to an exciting new future for Bute FM."
In other changes, Jordan Lyon has been confirmed as Bute FM's new assistant station manager.
Mr Donald told The Herald: "Douglas Lyle is a very well known and highly respected person on Bute. I am sure he will bring new things to the station. In our ongoing consultation exercise, it's becoming clear that islanders want more sport and current affairs in addition to the music already offered."
Mr Blair is now a community councillor in Rothesay and is also involved in BikeSafe Bute. He has also been invited on to the board of Bute Berthing Company.
He admitted the incident was so painful he can no longer tune into Bute FM.
Mr Blair added: "I've known Douglas Lyle for many a year, and as I understand it his new position is unsalaried.
"I don't listen to Bute FM any more as I find it too painful. It's like scratching a wound."
Linda Henderson, news editor of the For Argyll newsletter, said: "The current arrangements signal a new start for a community resources of substantial importance to Bute.
"We can only hope that the lessons from this sorry and avoidable saga have been well absorbed. We hope to see – hear – Bute FM grow strongly and creatively in its service to this important island."
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