V.O.N. Radio Station At Bath Village

The Voice of Nevis (V.O.N.) radio station commemorated 22 years of operations on Friday, June 18. The station was opened on that date in 1988 at Bath Village, with a staff of 11 persons.

During an interview with The Observer, General Manager Evered “Webbo” Herbert informed that it was his uncle, Merrit Herbert’s idea to open a station. Merrit is presently the Managing Director.

When asked about his feelings pertaining to the station’s 22nd anniversary, Webbo simply said it is their hope to continue to serve the people.

“People are generally satisfied, and we are pleased,” he stated. “I’m confident that we will try to do more; you’ve got to keep trying.”

The telephone lines were opened up to allow the listening public a chance to call in and express their “birthday greetings” to the station during the Birthday Greetings Show.
Some persons read poems, others commented that V.O.N. remained only the radio station that they listen to; one lady even sang the station a birthday song.

Webbo mentioned that one particular woman stood out that morning when she called in and made a donation pledge of $22 for 12 months to the station. The caller, Lilian Williams, is a resident of Upper Cayon, St. Kitts, and has been listening to V.O.N. Radio ever since its first day on the air. The GM noted that they were thrilled at her gesture.
Williams told this media house that she was seeking a better understanding in life, and that she was helped by the station’s “Quotation of the Day” feature, which carries her through each day.

“Every time I feel down and out, I would go back to the quotation. I just love it,” she said.

Since 2003, Williams has made a concerted effort to record each one.

Through she has been so blessed by the station, Williams thought that she could do more than just listening and praying. She owns a grocery shop in Bath Village, and stated that her radio is always tuned in to V.O.N.

“Webbo is a blessing to many. I have confidence in him,” she asserted.

Williams regularly encourages persons to support the station, as it promotes the one true God.

The managing director posited that when they “flipped the door open” 22 years ago, it wasn’t a simple undertaking, but so far the station has come a long way.

“I would like to thank all our customers, all our listeners, and all our clients far and near for helping us through this journey,” Merrit said. “Thanks to the GM, Evered ‘Webbo’ Herbert and his staff for the excellent job done over the years.”

Hon. Simeon Daniel, the first Premier of Nevis, helped to open the station in 1988 during his tenure in office, and recalled his words from that day: “There is a tide in the affairs of men, which taken at the brink, leads on to fortune, neglected and we are left behind. On such a sea, we are now afloat and we must take the current as it moves or lose our ventures.”

Daniel said that V.O.N. Radio has certainly “lived up to its ambitions.”

Although stating that they were not “doing any big celebration this year,” Webbo voiced his appreciation for two staff members, Albert Myers and Eric Evelyn.

“I think that what they do more than anything else at the station is what we would call national service, because they give and they continue to give,” he said. “I don’t know whether or not I would be able to make it without the support of those two.”

Former Premier of Nevis, Hon. Vance Amory, relayed his belief that the radio station’s management and staff has done “a wonderful job” of informing the populace of Nevis, the Caribbean, and the world at large.

“We must not forget that it is V.O.N. Radio and Evered ‘Webbo’ Herbert who really began the process of public interaction with the people – so that they can express their views, interact with political leaders, and communicate their own ideas of what is happening in the community,” Amory said. “This, I think, is very important for the development of our freedom of speech, and for our democratic process.”

J. Calvin Fahie, retired Commissioner of Police, said that the management, over time, is what has “kept this station at its pinnacle.”

“Webbo has been a shining light, and he is one who employs critical thinking,” Fahie said.
Webbo’s slogan is “Only the best will do,” something he has been using for 12 years now, always instructing his staff to do so as well.

The station has improved in different ways, such as having structured news segments. In times past, noteworthy news was broadcast sporadically. News broadcasts are generally from Monday to Friday at 7:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, and 6:00 p.m., with news minutes in between those hours at 10:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m.

There are a number of shows for listeners’ enjoyment, such as the Top 20 Hit List on Saturdays, and Let’s Talk, hosted by Webbo himself on Tuesdays.

Another example of improvement was the introduction in 2003 of their Web site, www.vonradio.com, giving persons the opportunity to listen live online and view news articles.

Webbo noted that the station has international listeners for whom they constantly have to change the bandwidth to ensure continued listening satisfaction.

Hence, he informed that next month the current frequency, 895 AM, will be changed to 860 AM, as some people have reportedly encountered difficulty picking the former frequency in vehicles fitted with digital radios.