The Downpatrick Lions are celebrating their 38th anniversary of starting their Talking Newspaper.
A small group of dedicated volunteers sent out their first tapes to people who were visually impaired and blind listeners on 11 November 1977. They has visited the Lisburn Leo Club and were very impressed with their set-up, and then they decided to organise their own Talking Newspaper.
Terry Torney, a founder member along with John Riordan, Margaret Orr, Richard Prytherch, still very committed and keep the show on the road every two weeks 38 weeks a year. Cecil Johnston was pictured at the tape machine in 1981 when the group celebrated sending out their 100th edition of the talking newspaper, while Vincent Murphy also contributed greatly. Former stalwarts of the Downsound team have included Len Edwards, Tom Morrison and Anne Walsh. Also Heavily involved in the early years were Liam Conlon, Deirdre Curran, Dorothy Johnston, Colin Flinn, Michael Bohill, Brendan Rodgers, Collette Rooney and Kathleen and Peter McKenny.
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Terry Torney, Downsound editor, with Deirdre Curran, Ann Irvine, Hazel Dunford, Tony Briggs, Margaret Orr, Roger Dunford, and Liam Conlon at the RNIB exhibtion in the Down County Mueseum celebtating 38 years of Downsound, the Talking Newspaper.[/caption]
John Riordan said: “The group has involved well over 20 volunteers over the years and has moved its base a number of times. Originally located in the Teacher’s Centre at Mount Crescent, Downsound later moved to Pind Lane, then to the Social Security offices. After a spell in St John’s Residential Home, the group finally settled in the Downshire Hospital building, having been offered various rooms to record, edit and pack up the tapes for distribution, which is looked after by the Post Office free of charge.”
Liam Conlon added: “In the early years, monthly music editions and regular interviews were introduced as well as readings from local newspapers. The keeper of St John’s Point Lighthouse, Mary Peters and Walter Love were among those who were interviewed especially for the listeners. Tales have been going out to all those who request them every forthnight for 38 years, and the Lions report that they will be sending out their 1000th edition next May.
“A number of early recruits to the Downsound team are still involved and attending regularly to read for the listeners. Myself, Margaret Orr and Deirdre Curran were joined by Hazel and Roger Dunford, and more recently by Tommy Briggs, Mike King and Anne Miller.”
Some of the current members gathered at Down County Museum to views the RNIB exhibition now on display which tells the story of visually impaired people in Northern Ireland and includes special Penfriend devices to provide audio recording of the information available in the display at Down County Museum.
The group also met to promote the use of the Talking Newspaper to anyone in the area who thinks they would benefit from it and enjoy receiving it.
The Downsound team are always keen to find new listeners and reach a bigger audience even after 38 years from its foundation in 1977.
Potential listeners should contact the Sensory Support Team at the South Eastern HSC Trust on 028 44 616915 if they would like a talking newspaper every two weeks.
A tremendous achievement by Downpatrick Lions to have helped so many disabled, visually impaired and blind people for 38 years.
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