Craven Talking Newspaper continues help to the blind and partially sighted in Craven and further afield, writes Richard Breare

WE are seeing a great swell of goodwill and volunteering in the community.

While 750,000 willing volunteers responded to the Government request to aid delivery of essentials, local groups are also helping in many ways.

You can help others by reflecting on “Who do I know that may benefit from a friendly local voice talking about local issues. Who do I know that is blind or partially sighted that cannot read the newspaper and perhaps has a carer who either cannot get the paper or does not want it for fear it may be a source of the infection through the letter box?”

Craven Talking Newspaper (officially Craven Cassette, a registered charity) provides weekly audio recordings to blind and visually impaired individuals free of charge.

It also provides recordings of the monthly Dalesman and Cumbria magazines. The latter are recorded by Cath and Neil Wilson, devoted nature lovers keen on beekeeping, “rotting” and all things good in nature.

One listener this month sent a card saying “Cath and Neil is a delight to listen to, no trying to talk posh as some do on talking newspapers”.

During the Covid-19 pandemic this charity is continuing its full service, unlike most Talking Newspapers around the country that have ceased production. Recordings come in a plastic wallet with reversible address card on a USB stick.

All new listeners will need is a USB enabled device such as a laptop or multi-media speaker. The charity does have very easy to use purpose designed and tested speakers for the blind and partially sighted which can be posted to new listeners via Royal Mail.

The charity was to hold a publicity promotion of its service in Morrisons’ supermarket on 30th April but has had to cancel that to protect the volunteers and community at large and follow Government guidelines.

So this is an appeal for you to reflect on who may benefit from its service.

The service is continuing despite Chairman Richard Breare having to stop volunteers helping during the pandemic as a safeguarding measure to protect those volunteers. Richard and wife Jane (she has led different reading teams for 32 years) are producing the recordings from home despite themselves being in lockdown under strict instruction from their children due to medication Richard is on.

Richard says: “We can do this thanks to fantastic support from Skipton Sorting Office, particularly the wonderful Rachel Woods who co-ordinates the return of wallets to our house each Thursday, and Ben, our postman, who brings them to my door and takes them back for sending out the following day.”

All returned wallets and USB devices are disinfected with diluted bleach before being sent out again.

The service by Royal Mail is entirely free to the charity and listeners under The Articles For The Blind service which allows delivery of items “designed to support blind and visually impaired people as well as the charities that work hard to improve their lives.”

The only cost a listener ever pays is for the £45 cost of a speaker if needed.

Articles in the press about small local newspapers folding due to falling revenue from sales and advertising during the pandemic got Richard thinking further.

Many of us are using local businesses for deliveries during the pandemic, be it food, medicine or alcohol (mea culpa to the latter says Richard), and we hope all will continue to support those local businesses after the pandemic.

This is not Donald Trump-style protectionism over globalisation but is supporting those around us where profits will be ploughed back into local society.

And this swell of change should extend to the Craven Herald.

* If you know of anyone who would benefit from the service please contact Richard on 01756 794298 or email r.breare@btopenworld.com