Downsound Talking Newspaper continues to provide news readings via a Podcast for those visually impaired supported by Downpatrick Lions
Downsound Talking Newspaper was first produced by Downpatrick Lions Club on 11th November 1977 and has over that time become one of the successes coming from the County Town of Down.
It has been supported by over 30 members of the Club, partners, young volunteers and other members of the local community.
“The name ‘Downsound’ was chosen in 1978 through a competition in local primary schools to find an appropriate title for the service,” said Neil Hamilton, a Downsound Lion’s member and also an enthusiast with Downpatrick and County Down Railway and a Downpatrick Lion’s Club member.
He added: “In the past young people have also been in the forefront of recording the newspaper as part of their efforts to assist with community projects over the years.
“Reaching out to keep visually impaired people informed about what is going on in their community through local news, Downsound provided initially readings on tapes from two local newspapers with the permission of the weekly Down Recorder and the Mourne Observer, every two weeks.
“Now that the Down Recorder has recently closed, we will be using news items from the Mourne Observer and Down News, which is a local online newspaper.
“In the early days we used to record up in the old Downshire Hospital but we have since moved our recording down to the Downpatrick and County Down Railway station house where I am also a volunteer with the railway. Some of the volunteers found it difficult in the winter months going up to the Downshire and we are more central now.
“Initially, tapes were sent out to everyone who expressed an interest, with readings from volunteers.”
“And by 2016, an incredible total of 40,000 one-hour tapes had been sent out to those in need who were visually impaired. But technology moved on swiftly from then on.
Neill said: “Technology took off at lightning speed with superfast-broadband, podcasting, improved microphones and smart ways to work this new technlogy.
“We started off with tapes, and CDs now we work from a Podcast. The recordings are now available online by means of a one-hour podcast, and this provides much easier access to the audio content, using this newer technology with the use of smart speakers.
“This regular recording by the volunteers including the local news from around Down district, that is the Lecale area and the Mournes, provides descriptions of photographs and includes music, and has reached visually-impaired people both locally and internationally from Canada, United States, across the UK and Ireland, and as far as Australia.
“Downsound helps reduce feelings of isolation, and it links people with what is happening on their own wee corner of County Down.
“The service reaches visually impaired people of all ages, and has attracted support from a wide spectrum of the local community supported by the Downpatrick Lions.”
Listen to the Downsound Podcast HERE
