Lifeline service reaches listeners during lockdown
Remote recordings of latest news come from as far away as Portugal
appreciated.
Rocktalk newsreader Alisdair McCreadie told the Observer: “Mike and the rest of my colleagues are trying to keep others informed and entertained during this tough time. I have been using Audacity, a software I have on my laptop, to do my part.
“I thank Mike and the rest of my colleagues are stars for trying this and I am very proud of them all.”
Rocktalk Talking Newspaper was established in March 1982 and is wholly staffed by unpaid volunteers.
Rocktalk’s past chair Ella Kennedy was awarded an MBE in 2012 for services to Talking Newspapers and the visually impaired, and was also the recipient of a Stirling Provost’s Award in 2010. Ella retired in 2018 after over 30 years of service to Rocktalk.
Income is obtained entirely through donations from local charities such as Rotary Clubs, Inner Wheel, coffee mornings and other fundraising efforts. In addition donations are received from listeners and their families. Rocktalk does not receive any regular income from grants or any other source.
Over the years Rocktalk has been distributed on cassette, CD and now USB memory stick. Easy to use USB players are now provided free of charge to listeners allowing them to take full advantage of the benefits of this modern technology.
Lottery Awards for All funding was obtained to assist in the procurement of these players and the upgrading of recording equipment. As well as the Observer, each month they record a monthly magazine of general interest articles which is included on the USB stick.
“Rocktalk has provided a valuable service to the blind and visually impaired community in the Stirling area for over 38 years, keeping them in touch with local events and news in addition to intimations of births, deaths and marriages,” said Mike.
“It is a lifeline for those who cannot see what is going on around them.
“We are proud of our almost 100 per cent record of providing a service each week for 37 years regardless of weather or any other conditions. Only the ‘Beast from the East’ prevented one edition from being produced.
“Our circulation has been as high as 180, but currently circulation is around 70.”
For more information email: enquiries@rocktalk.org.uk or call: 01786 816673.