Come on you men, help read the news

Christine Madeley, who leads a team of more than 40 volunteers who read the news on a rota basis, is seeking to balance the sound of the 45-minute news service with two male and two female voices each week.

Potential volunteers are invited to contact Miss Madeley on 216033. Each week's news is recorded at the talking paper's Little Common studios on a Friday afternoon.

The Talking Newspaper Association, which has maintained its news and current affairs service since 1977, is hoping to repeat its recent success in recuiting new volunteers.

When treasurer Merfyn Ashdown gave advanced notice to the committee that he would be leaving, the registered charity appealed via the Observer for a replacement.

When Valerie Butler read the story she volunteered her services.

Yesterday's committee meeting welcomed Valerie and passed a vote of thanks to Merfyn for his excellent conduct of the charity's financial affairs.

Geoff Renvoize, who leads the team of volunteers who record each week's news, reported that as a result of an Observer appeal on his behalf Pearse Carty had now trained successfully as a new team member.

Anne Paisley, who leads the 20-strong group which on a rota basis prepares the 45 minutes of magazine material which goes out every week, reported that Len George, who had previously worked for the charity, had joined C Team.

Monica Crouch reported on the success of the recent tea held at St Martha's Church Hall. Talking Paper members provide the transport to take blind listeners from their homes to take part in the event. Monica thanked all the colleagues who had assisted her with the event.

A date has already been set for the first of two teas planned for 2009 - May 20.

Bela Oganovsky reported that a programme to have the charity's battery of high-speed cassette copiers serviced and repaired was progressing well. The next phase will be to have them modified to accept the new computerised digital recording system which the association has bought.

The meeting voted 100 for the purchase of a specialised directional microphone which will enable the magazine team to record live interviews at events like the teas without background noise.

Bexhill Talking Newspaper is currently going out to around 140 registered blind or partially-sighted recipients each week.