NEWSLETTER

Current and past editions of Pendle Voice Newsletter

Newsletter issued November 1999 for the Annual General Meeting

Topics covered:

- A Silver Celebration?

- Twenty-five years on!

- A Northwest Conference?

- Recent changes at Smith Street

- Someone must own it!

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The year 2000, final twelve months of the twentieth century, also marks the 25th anniversary of “Pendle Voice”. It was in June 1975 that the first local Talking Newspaper was produced. Mike Jackson, at Nelson and Colne College, organised the recording of a 60-minute tape at the request of his colleague, David Blezard, who was himself blind. That tape circulated to three listeners - Dave Blezard, Annie Widdop and Fred Riley.

Much has happened in 25 years. Those three tapes have grown to 2,000+ each week, and a small corner of a college cupboard has been replaced by our own premises.

Should we celebrate this silver anniversary in June next year? And if so, how? A West Craven listener recently suggested we should have an Open Day so that listeners could meet readers and other volunteers who run the Pendle Voice service. Experience of trying to do this some years ago was not encouraging. But it would be pleasant to mark this occasion with some sort of event. But what sort? And when? And where?

Your views and suggestions will be welcomed by Chairman Alan Sadler 613787 or Secretary Anita Haworth 691857, or drop a note to either at 169 Smith Street. back to top

The annual subscription to the Association was fixed at £2.50 in 1975 - and remains the same today! As ever, all are entitled to

Pendle Voice services free of charge, though many choose to make a donation.

The subscription for 2000 is now due, and sums large and small (payable to Pendle Voice) are welcomed by our Membership

Secretary and should be sent to her at: Pendle Voice, 169 Smith Street, Nelson BB9 9HL    back to top

Comparatively few Talking Newspapers from this part of England are represented at the Annual Conference of the Talking Newspaper Association of the UK (TNAUK), so a regional conference would provide a valuable opportunity for local TN’s to get together.

Pendle Voice has sounded out other TN’s in the Northwest and many have agreed there is a need for a regional meeting. If no other TN takes the initiative - and Blackpool have been considering it - Pendle Voice may well invite their Northwest colleagues to a get-together in Pendle.

Inevitably, a note from a listener tends to be about a faulty tape, or a tape not received. But we do regularly receive, and welcome, notes of approval. One such arrived as this newsletter was being compiled. It read, in part: “Many thanks to all readers and staff that have become my friends over the years in listening to People’s Friend.”

It provides an opportunity to say a big Thank You to all our volunteers - most of whom are unheard by, and unknown to, our listeners. Without all these backroom boys and girls the service would collapse.       back to top

the remaining set of older cassette copiers has been replaced so that we can now deploy 55 copying heads at any one time

a rearrangement of storage facilities has freed space to set up an ‘office corner’ in the upstairs store-room

Sunday People details have now been moved to the computer and will be handled by the bar-coding system already in use for

People’s Friend

the ground floor has now been re-carpeted to help provide a more comfortable working environment for our volunteers.        back to top

Some months ago, a small portable radio was left on a bench at Smith Street. It is still there! Will the owner please contact 697071 to arrange for its return.       back to top

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