Havant Borough Talking Newspaper’s President, Keith Stoneman, was the unsuspecting recipient of the Mayor of Havant’s Lifetime Achievement Award at the Plaza in Havant recently.
The event, an annual recognition of volunteering in the Borough was hosted jointly by Community First HEH (CFHEH) and the 2014/15 Mayor of Havant, Councillor Marjorie Smallcorn. Some sixty or so volunteers received award certificates, they and their guests were treated to a buffet reception at the Plaza.
Keith was invited to the event to receive a Volunteer Award Certificate but had no idea he was in line for the Lifetime Achievement Award until the end of the ceremony. A founder member of the Talking News, Jean Dermott, gave an insight into Keith’s history with the organisation. Keith has a variety of charity interests but has been with Havant Borough Talking Newspaper since its inception in 1993 as a reader, interviewer, promoter, recruiter, Chairman and President. He planned and project managed the move to and outfitting of the Talking News’ present studio in East Street, Havant.
Every fortnight, at this studio, an hour long recording is made of news stories and events in the area. It is delivered, completely free of charge, to around 200 blind or visually impaired residents living in the borough of Havant. Articles are taken from local newspapers such as PO9&PO11 and are broadcast for the listeners’ enjoyment.
Havant Talking News is available on cassette tapes and also on memory sticks, which can be played on RNIB Daisy players or computers. However, if neither is available then memory stick players, especially designed for visually impaired people, are provided. The Talking News warmly welcomes all new listeners and also new volunteers.
As a charity which is run totally by volunteers, they are the lifeblood of the organisation.
If you know anyone who would like to receive the Talking News or if you could spare just a little time to volunteer, please call (023) 9248 0101 or go to hbtn.org.uk