CHIPPENHAM Talking Newspapers have launched a new digital offering for the blind and visually impaired people in Chippenham, Calne and the surrounding villages.

Volunteer readers and recorders, based in a small studio in Chippenham, previously recorded the weekly editions of The Gazette and Herald onto cassette tapes.

Over the last few months Chippenham Talking Newspapers have bought all the equipment needed to do the recordings and also distributed new speaker boxes to provide all their listeners with an enhanced service.

The two latest editions of the Gazette and Herald have now been recorded onto USB memory sticks and sent out in the returnable plastic wallets by Freepost to the listeners.

Gwyn Rees from Chippenham & District Talking Newspapers said: “It’s working really well, so far so good. The recorders have got to get used to the computer and software but we have distributed the speakers to all our listeners.

“We can save up to three weeks worth of papers on the devices and record whenever we want to, it’s a lot more efficient. I had a phone call from a listener who said they were delighted with it, it’s a lot better and clearer.

“These new speakers do run off the mains but there’s re-chargeable batteries for them too so listeners are not tied to one room.”

One of those who has benefited from the new equipment is Mr Gough of Castle Combe, who is absolutely delighted with the new system, saying that it is much simpler to use and the sound is clear. "It's just the job," he said.

Talking Newspapers is a charitable organisation delivering the service absolutely free to all listeners, and, with no official funding, relies totally on fundraising and donations.

In all, the charity have sent out about 80 recordings, reading from The Gazette and Herald for the Chippenham edition, The Melksham Independent News for the Melksham edition and The South Gloucester Standard for Malmesbury edition.

Mr Rees added: “We would like to acknowledge and thank a number of organisations who have very generously helped us in raising this money. We were awarded a 50 per cent grant from The Chippenham Area Board, and also donations from The Masons, and The Lion’s Club. We would also like to thank all the volunteers who worked so hard in fund-raising events.

“Over the years we have always had positive responses and comments from listeners who say that the weekly drop from the postman can be a highlight which helps to enrich their lives. From what we hear from them the new speaker boxes and the new format so far have proved to be very successful.”

If you know of someone who is blind or visually impaired who might benefit from the Talking Paper, would like to join the team of readers and recorders, contact Gwyn Rees on (01249) 659305.