Talking news is in the news!
ACHARITY that keeps blind and partially sighted people up to date with what is going on celebrated its 40th birthday.
Stockport Talking Newspaper Association (STNA), based in Shaw Heath, marked the occasion with a buffet lunch for its members, volunteers, clients and donors.
For the past four decades its volunteers have spent Wednesday evenings reading and recording that week’s Stockport Express.
The results are then put on CD or memory stick – in previous years tapes were used – and posted out free to clients.
Among those at the celebration was Dorothy Birch, 87, who has been blind since birth and involved with the charity since its creation.
She said: “Going back right to the beginning we always said we wanted to keep people in touch with what is going on in the town.
“They can then talk to their friends and join in rather than just listen because they know what is going on and is in the paper.
“This is still very much relevant today. We make the rule never to use the word listener, it is always the reader.”
The charity, which is based at Walthew House, itself a charity that helps people with hearing and sight difficulties, was founded by optician Granville Jones on May 4, 1977.
Since then its volunteers have recorded 2,000 editions of Stockport Talking Newspaper and the charity currently posts its work to around 160 clients.
A monthly magazine is also produced, as well as one-off features and music with contributors including Stockport Ukulele Players.
The service also takes on board feedback from users and has recently added death notices to its offering after a number of requests.
Paul Ramsden, from STNA said: “A lot of people cannot see or get out that much so we help with isolation and people finding out what is going on in the community.
“For those who can’t see you can still get national and regional news quite easily but not local news in depth.”
At the celebration, tribute was paid to longserving volunteer Marjorie Turner, who sadly passed away earlier this year.
It was said her ‘quiet and willing help’ was vital to charities and organisations.