A valued service which gives blind and partially sighted people independence while keeping them up to date, has resumed after a two-year hiatus.
The very special edition of the Herald – and its sister publication the Keswick Reminder – is being prepared again thanks to Eden District Talking Newspaper, which records and distributes readings of the news to visually impaired locals each week.
Janis Young, the organisation’s secretary, said the value of the service was immense, according to the feedback. It gives around 70 recipients the independence to do things on their own they would have otherwise needed to get help for – they’re so pleased to have the service back, she added.
“The volunteers get much satisfaction from the many expressions of appreciation received from listeners to the talking newspaper, some of whom help the finances by making donations or leaving bequests,” said Janis.
March 2020 was the last time news stories were recorded in Eden before COVID prevented team members from meeting up.
Since measures have eased and the vast majority of Eden residents have been vaccinated, the group has begun again, albeit with new safe procedures.
These include fully sanitising all of the equipment and posting everything to the listeners.
The introduction of the Eden District Talking Newspaper was suggested by Beryl Richardson in 1986 when she moved into the area from Congleton, where a similar news service was already provided.
Since then, members of the Penrith Lions Club took up the idea and have been the dominant force in putting out the talking newspaper every week since its introduction.
As well as the Penrith Lions, enthusiastic teams of readers, producers and helpers have been provided by Appleby and Upper Eden Rotary clubs, Penrith Soroptimists and Friends, the Edensiders and formerly by Penrith Inner Wheel and the Round Table clubs.
Working on a rota basis, the five teams record top stories along with births, marriages and deaths; the weekly editorial and other interesting articles from advance copies of the newspapers supplied free of charge by the Herald and the Keswick Reminder.
The group’s usual base was at the Edington Centre, in Penrith, but due to the looming threat of COVID, the group is now based at the town’s Christ Church.
Janis added: “Christ Church in Penrith has been really supportive and we now meet there every Friday evening to record and prepare the memory sticks in special postal wallets for delivery by the Royal Mail, who deliver the recordings free of charge as quickly as possible.
“Anyone in the Eden area who is registered blind or visually impaired may receive the recordings free of charge. We also loan the equipment to play back the recording.”
For enquiries about the service, contact Janis on 01768 881488 or 07443 528991 or visit the Herald office.
