News

Brenda Farley, at the February WI meeting, gave an interesting and informative talk on Talking Newspapers for the Blind which is a nationwide organisation. Richard Stut in Sweden first heard of it and it started in Wales in 1973 and then into England. Blind people all over the world are able to hear the news from their local papers. Brenda started recording from the local Journal Herald for the Blind in 1978; it was a cause dear to her heart as her Mother had been a Guide for the Blind. Andy Shiner, a B.P. rep started a project to raise money in this area. They do this entirely voluntarily. In July 1979 there were enough people to work in teams over three days, (there is a technician for each team), usually of three readers. Brian Farley is Brenda?s technician! They make copies from a Master tape and read sections of the Journal of interest; stories, sometimes poems etc.They distribute 180-190 tapes in special pochettes by posting this area alone. The Blind send very appreciative messages back. Barry Squires was one who benefited so his wife said. They have had various premises to do this reading, good and bad, sometimes freezing cold but are presently at Landkey in a cottage, also the Council Room which is lovely. It has to be free premises. They record every 6 weeks. Social Services will authorise people receiving the tapes; it cannot be done any other way. The Blind have to have the right machine to play the tapes on.Competition for a pretty scarf: 1st Gill Wright, 2nd Penny Shaw, 3rd Gwen Wooldridge.Flower of month: Freda Down.Draw: Brenda Farley, Angela Legg, Jean Peddle, Sue Norman, Yvonne Squires, Joan Homewood, Penny Shaw, Gwen Wooldridge, Freda Down, Mavis Bird.The next meeting on 3rd March at East Down Village Hall at 7.30pm has Katherine Armitage on Homeopathy as the speaker.The Competition is a Flower Arrangement in a shell for the Group meeting.

ARLINGTON PARISH

Then and Now