You probably take reading your Observer for granted.

But for some people it is not so easy to keep in touch with what is happening in the Chichester, Bognor Regis and Midhurst areas.

Chichester Area Talking News (CATN) provides audio news to visually-impaired people. When it was first distributed in 1975 it went out to 40 subscribers. Today the postal distribution is in excess of 450 copies.

Local news from each edition of the Observer is recorded onto CD or cassette tape and sent out to listeners – so instead of picking up the newspaper and reading it, they simply play the tape and hear the news.

"This means those with sight problems do not have to rely on family and friends to read to them, they know what is happening week by week and they can take a more active interest in their surroundings," said Robbie Burns, chairman of the service.

"Above all it helps to restore their independence."

The talking newspaper programmes are put together in CATN's studio at St Richard's Hospital, adjacent to the maternity block, by a production team, including a producer, readers, contributors and a technical operator.

The programme – that week's edition of the Observer – is read out by a reader and recorded on to a computer.

Also included on the hour-long recording are special items behind the news and features on gardening, nature and fashion.

This year CATN also started to include recordings of the Observer's Down Memory Lane weekly features which are written by the County Record Office.

The finished 60-minute sound file is copied onto between 400 and 500 cassettes and CDs before being posted to listeners every fortnight.

Once the listener has finished with the recording they post it back free of charge to the studio, where the tape is erased and made ready for the next edition.

The talking newspaper has always been completely free for subscribers. All costs needed to maintain the service are raised through donations and fundraising events.

"We have a dedicated band of 70 volunteers who give up their spare time carrying out the various duties," said Mr Burns.

"Most of them have been with the organisation for many years and it is as a result of the dedication and hard work put in by these volunteers which has made the Chichester Area Talking News the success it is today," he added.

Tom Everett (81) and his wife have been volunteers for five years. Once a fortnight they go to the studio to sort all the returned CDs and tapes and keep a record of which listeners have returned their copies.

"My eyesight is not perfect but at least I am able to read," said Mr Everett. "For someone who is losing their sight or is blind it must be an invaluable service. All the volunteers are incredibly passionate about the talking newspaper."

Helping me to keep in touch with my area

To one listener who has subscribed to the talking newspaper for more than 20 years, it has enabled her to feel a part of the community she lives in.

Jan Penn, who lives in Felpham, first lost her sight 40 years ago.
She now has a guide dog called Mary to help her with day-to-day tasks, and is a member of the CATN committee representing the visually-impaired listeners.

"It's a wonderful service," said Jan. "When I was asked if I'd like to receive the talking newspaper all those years ago I jumped at the chance. I'm nosy and I like to know what's going on in my area.

"It really helps to keep you in touch, from hearing about the important issues to finding out what entertainment is available."

Jan (57) said that CATN provides more than just the talking newspaper.
"There's the social aspect, too. They arrange gatherings for all the listeners and we regularly meet up. I can't praise the service highly enough."





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