FESTIVE NEWS • DECEMBER 2016 • PAGE 39
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR NEWS
SERVICE FOR THE BLIND
For more than 40 years blind or visually impaired people in the
county have received their own version of the Hereford Times from
the Herefordshire Talking Newspaper for the Blind recorded by
volunteers. Now the organisation is appealing for more volunteers
to join its reading teams or to help copy and dispatch the CD’s to
listeners who rely on them to keep up-to-date with the news of the
county.
Trefor Edwards, treasurer for 30 years told Festive News: “ A few more
volunteers would be a great help and we would also like to hear from anyone
wanting to receive the recorded news service . It costs about £2,500 a year
to provide the free service and we rely on donations from the public and
organisations to keep the free service running.”
Hereford Lions Club donated £150 towards the running costs. The cheque
was presented to Mr Edwards during a recording session at the studio in
Widemarsh Street, Hereford by George Thomas, a Lions Club member and
former Hereford Times journalist who founded the Talking Newspaper in
1974 and was its first editor. Hereford Round Table funded the £4,500
launch costs.
Said Mr Thomas: “The objective then, as now was to allow blind people
to independently keep in touch with local news and current affairs and it is
great to know that it is appreciated just as much today as it was all those
years ago.”
Contact the secretary Elizabeth Wilson on 01432 853283 for more
information about the Talking Newspaper.
One of the recording teams (l to r) Glen Cowdeary, Lesley Barrett, Ruth Penson, Amanda
Watkins, Gordon Stewart
George Thomas (right) and Trefor Edwards
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