TALKING NEWSPAPER FOR THE BLIND

The Normanton Town Council Talking Newspaper for the Blind was set up in 1978-79 by Normanton Town Council. A blind gentleman approached the Council saying there was a need for a Normanton Talking Newspaper, the Mayor at the time (Councillor J. MacKinnon) launched a public appeal and the rest is history.

People who are registered blind or partially sighted or have a letter from a GP or Hospital Consultant or are referred by Social Services and live within the boundaries of Normanton Town Council are entitled to receive the Talking Newspaper. Any requests to receive the paper from anyone outside, such as someone who has lived in Normanton but moved away are decided upon by the Chair and the Vice-Chair at their discretion but these are few in number.

The Talking Newspaper for the Blind is funded almost entirely by donations from the public and other local organisations. We have a team of willing volunteers who rally round to assist in fundraising projects. The readers give their free time to prepare and record the Talking Newspaper every week and our thanks must go out to these community spirited individuals who make the Talking Newspaper a success.

The Talking Newspaper is produced weekly and incorporates articles that relate to Normanton and Altofts and surrounding area. Articles are taken from the Normanton edition of the Wakefield Express, Pontefract & Castlefors Express and the Yorkshire Evening Post, these are then read out and comentary given on any photographs included in the article.

The Talking Newspaper also includes useful public information and we often send out other public information tapes from Royal Mail and Marks & Spencer etc.

Royal Mail provides a free postal service for the delivery and return of articles for the blind and subscription to the Talking Newspaper is also free.

If you or anyone you know would like to receive the Talking Newspaper please Contact Us.