Richmond Talking News is turning 45 on St George's Day this year, and it's team of volunteers are gearing up for a big tea party to celebrate.

RTN is a registered charity providing local news in audio form for people with visual impairment and/or other physical difficulties in the Borough of Richmond.

It brings together useful social and community news not normally found in other mainstream broadcasting outlets.

Chair of RTN, Jackie Venus said: "We have never had the luxury of a permanent recording studio and from time to time we have moved to different places around the Borough."

She said: 'Our very first programme was recorded on 21st April 1979 with four readers sitting round a table in the basement storeroom of MIND's charity shop at 64 Sheen Road.   It was delivered on 23rd April – St George's Day.  

"Another move was to the now-defunct Fortescue House in Fulwell, then to the old Library at Teddington School and on to the United Reformed Church, Twickenham Green."

The very first talking newspaper was set up in Aberystwyth in 1968, and it didn't take very long for the idea to take off across nationwide.   

Before COVID there were more than 500 talking newspapers across the UK, but due to production difficulties during lockdown, this number decreased to around 300.

Fortunately, when the COVID lockdown was announced, volunteers quickly devised a recording system where a weekly edition could be entirely produced without anyone leaving the house.    

Instead of the team of the week meeting up on a Friday evening at the United Reformed Church to sit around a table and read the local paper, news stories were emailed out, to be recorded and returned using nothing more than a mobile phone.  

Plans for RTN's 45th birthday party are now well under way, and RTN would like to collect as many early memories as possible for the occasion.  

"My father was one of RTN's original listeners, 'Jackie continued, 'and I can clearly remember the sight of the distinctive yellow postal pouch (which we still use today) sitting around the house."

Although both Sheila Webb and Pat Ingham who set up RTN in the first place are sadly no longer with us,' she said ' there must be others – both listeners and volunteers – who have some stories they'd like to share.  

A quick email to [email protected] would be a good start to the conversation or telephone 020 8892 0826.'

RTN is a registered charity, and is run entirely by volunteers.    While 45 years may be a lifetime to some, Richmond Talking News remains a unique source of local and community news for blind and partially sighted residents of the Borough.   

The service free to the listener, and a USB player can be provided.   For more information visit www.rtn.org.uk