Most of us rely on our local newspaper to keep in touch with what is happening in and around the area in which we live, providing information that does not reach us by means of television or radio. This is the really local news from which the visually impaired are completely cut off unless they happen to have a relative or friend who can spare the time to read to them regularly. The "talking newspaper" produced by CaTN fills this gap, and plays an important role in helping to restore their independence as well as creating the opportunity for them to continue to take an active interest in the community.
With deep regret, we have to announce that John Holloway, our much-loved and highly respected Head of Production, died after a heart attack on 16 January. John was a delightful person and a very good friend to all of us. He made an enormous contribution to Chichester Area Talking News and will be greatly missed. He is shown here working from home during one of the Covid lockdowns in 2021.
Every year the Talking News AGM offers something different to both inform and entertain a large audience of listeners, carers and volunteers. This year, after the formal meeting, our Chairman, Dick Bunker, pointed out that 2021 was even more special: our AGM was being held on 21st October, which as all history buffs will know is the anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. So, once the necessary business was complete, the afternoon’s entertainment began with a sketch about ‘Health and Safety aboard HMS VICTORY’, with Richard Plowman as Admiral Nelson and Dick Bunker as Captain Hardy.
Every fortnight, we record an hour of local news, called Talking News and every quarter we record a 75 minute magazine programme called INSIGHT. These recordings are provided free of charge for blind and partially sighted people in the Chichester, Bognor Regis, Midhurst and Petworth areas.
Each episode can be listened to through various channels. A memory stick is available to be posted to listeners which can be played on a Boombox, which we will also supply free of charge. Alternatively, you can listen via this website, Alexa or the BWBF App.
Every fortnight, we produce an hour of local news on a memory stick for the blind, partially sighted and other disabled people in the Chichester, Bognor Regis, Midhurst and Petworth areas – as covered by the three editions of the local 'Observer' newspaper – from the southern coastal towns and villages as far north as the Surrey border, east to Yapton and Walberton, and west to Emsworth. In addition to the memory stick, we are also on the web (go to 'Listen to Talking News'), Alexa and the BWBF App.
Every quarter, we produce INSIGHT, a 75-minute magazine programme which is also distributed free to listeners. With its own dedicated producer, presenter and technical operator, it seeks out interesting items of local and general interest. Over the years it has covered subjects ranging from the Mary Rose project at Portsmouth to the Weald and Download museum in Singleton.
We know from our postbag that many of our listeners look forward to each edition and often keep it to listen again to a particular favourite item.
If you would like to find out more about being a volunteer please contact us with your details and we will get back to you. We also have specific situations vacant from time to time.
