Winchester Talking Newspaper settles in at Chronicle office

The service provides weekly audio recordings of extracts from the Hampshire Chronicle as well as a monthly magazine.

John Richards, chairman of Winchester Talking Newspaper (WTN), says that the charity has "settled in well upstairs at the Hampshire Chronicle’s offices" at 5 Upper Brook Street.

He added, “We were delighted when Kimberley (Barber) asked if we would like to move in. We were up and running in two or three days and, in fact, we haven’t missed one recording or copying day."

The charity relies on volunteers and donations to continue to operate and was searching for a new home having been previously based in Winnall.

“The room we occupy is ideal.  It’s spacious, light, airy and comfortable, it’s exciting to know that the articles we record upstairs have been written downstairs.  The two organisations are a perfect match.”

READ MORE Winchester Talking Newspaper: Bringing local news to all

Hampshire Chronicle's newest recruit, digital reporter Matt Rooks-Taylor had the opportunity to join WTN for a recording session on February 17. 

"Coming from a more broadcast and multimedia journalism background, it was an exciting opportunity to get back into it and help contribute to such a good cause."

The Talking Newspaper provides local news for blind and partially sighted people in the city, who would otherwise only have reasonable access to more national and regional stories on the TV and radio.

The recordings are available free of charge to any blind or partially sighted person, with free postage to send them back.

The service also provides a device to play the recordings, free of charge.

To find out more about the organisation, visit its website at winchestertalkingnews.com.