a trial broadcast and in early 1995, Andrew Carter, Lee Carey, Jon Maynard and Maria Bush decided that Fosseway Radio should apply to operate Hinckley's first trial local radio station. The process of initial, informal research began and contact with local businesses became a priority to finance the operation. The company was officially registered in October 1995. Fosseway Radio launched its first trial service on 1 March 1996 to an expectant town. Its strengths would be its local knowledge of the area, local talent and to make it stand out from the rest of the FM stations of the time. Presenters knew and understood the area and judging by the response, Hinckley was by no means disappointed. Nita Baines from Barwell wrote to say, "I really cannot thank you enough for bringing some sunshine back into my life, I hope it is summertime forever", while Pat and Barrie Parker from Hinckley told the station, "Everyone is talking about Fosseway Radio and what a happier month March has been for having it." Many listeners told the station of their delight when the service resumed for a second month in September 1996. Carolyn Loveridge wrote to say: "Thank you once again for providing a professional and excellent service for South-West Leicestershire". Angel Gould, a leader at 1st Barwell Cubs, wrote to say she had discovered the station quite by chance and on questioning her cubs that evening she was surprised that a lot of them were already listening to Fosseway Radio, "I hope the message gets through that they and myself like listening to Fosseway Radio and long may it continue". Hinckley's geographical location, equidistant between the two strong cities of Leicester and Coventry, resulted in the area being overlooked and often ignored. The area was too distant to be a suburb and held an identity of its own, an ideal location for a new commercial radio station. In 1998, the Fosseway Radio team were delivered the news by the broadcasting authorities that they had been successful in their application, and the station launched on 1 November that year. The transmitter was in the village of Barwell, but the station principally served the towns (and suburbs) of Hinckley and Nuneaton. In 1999, the success of the station meant the coverage area was extended to the town of Nuneaton. Nine years later, parent company the Lincs FM Group made their first acquisition, Oak