York Talking News Celebrates its 50th Anniversary

Our friends, and supporters, York Talking News, are celebrating their 50th Anniversary and continue to bring local news to those living with a visual impairment, or who struggle to access the news in a paper format. They let us know just how it all began and how they are moving forward after this great celebration…

In the autumn of 1975, the City Council advertised for interested people to meet to discuss the possibility of producing an audio news magazine for the blind and partially sighted. Over the next few months, funding was organised through donations from the public, Rotary and the Lions, many of whom also volunteered to read and organise the production and distribution of the publication, and the Council which put up £1000. A charity was set up, the Post Office offered free of charge posting facilities as long as we only used music that had been commissioned for the publication and that any material had to be already in the public domain. In March and April of 1976 two dummy audio cassette tapes were produced. By September, the team were ready, and York Talking News began life in 1976 as York and District News for the Blind. Don Peacock from the Blind and Partially Sighted society, was the first chairman, Harry Holmes was Editor, Peter Jackson, Producer and Technician and the readers on the first edition which went out at the beginning of October 1976 were Joanna Browne, Nigel Emery and Graeme Robertson.

The first recording took place in ‘The Shack’, an out building in the garden of one of the team, it was almost ideal, having tea and coffee making facilities and a WC.

The material was collected from The Press, or Evening Press as it was in those days, the Yorkshire Post and a little later the Dalesman joined the livery. Our jingles, written especially for us, have been in constant use from the first edition and are our audio logo.

Listeners came to us, mostly through The Blind and Partially Sighted Society and word of mouth. By the 12th edition 80 copies were regularly being sent out and by the 375th edition we had a solid circulation of 250 listeners.

Our team of readers are regulars and our listeners get to know their voices. The most well-known voice of all is Graeme’s. He read on our very first edition and on almost all of them since, that’s 50 years of service and perhaps 575 editions – we do let him have a holiday once in a while! He also volunteers as a Minster Guide and is delighted when any of our listeners recognise his dulcet tones and speak to him. After 50 years, of introductions, messages and the last word on each edition, together with reading each month, Graeme has decided that it’s time he stepped back and will retire from the York Talking News on our 600th edition. We shall miss him and our regular listeners will too.

The format of the news magazine was originally 50% news items and 50% magazine articles usually with a local or amusing theme. This format has served very well at keeping our listeners informed of local news. Initially the publication was constrained by the length of the cassette tapes, 45 minutes on either side. Duplication took up to 2 days as each tape had to be magnetically cleaned before re-recording and just 8 could be done at the same time taking 4 ¼ minutes for each group. The move to USB sticks made for faster duplication, 23 sticks at a time and completed in a couple of minutes.

COVID brought about more change and the team were proud to be able to send out each edition on time. It was not possible to meet to record but we managed for quite a few months, by having our readers read their articles over the telephone and our technician record from home. Our editor scanned the articles and emailed them to the readers a day prior to the recording. This proved to be very successful.

We have had a few different recording studios during our 50 years beginning in the Shack, moving to an office in Clifford Street, on to facilities in the original Wilberforce Trust buildings on Tadcaster Road, in Westminster Business Park in Poppleton and in Huntington. Today we are recording in the community room at Tesco, Askham Bar. We have been very grateful for the use of all of these premises and have worked with the various noise distractions, from the neighbours’ lawn mowers in the Shack, the jingle from the sandwich delivery van in Poppleton, to the alarms and tannoy announcements in Tesco.

We shall be moving to a sound studio at York University, where the sound production is unfettered by extraneous noises. The format will continue to include local news and magazine articles but will also include What’s On in and around York. In this digital age, we are now available via our website, hosted by the Talking News Federation, to which we have been affiliated for many years, and via your smart speaker.

York Talking News is an audio news magazine for anyone who is unable to process print unaided, whether by sight loss, the inability to hold a newspaper or book, or for any other reason.

If you would like to find out more about how York Talking News might be suitable for you, please do call Sue, she too is a regular reader, on 01904 652650, or simply try listening via our website: https://yorktalkingnews.mytn.uk

Here at the Trust we would like to say a big thank you to Graeme, and York Talking News, for recording our quarterly newsletter magazine, InSight.

InSight Magazine- Spring 2026

Our latest edition of InSight is out now.

This edition includes:

You can read the latest issue of InSight here or by clicking the image below-

Front page of Spring InSight.

You can listen to InSight here-

Letter from the CEO-

Welcome Emily and Chidinma-

Welcome to our new Trustees-

Club Wilber Easter Egg Hunt-

Weston’s Cafe-

International Women’s Day-

Charity Cook-off and Thank Yous-

InSight Magazine- Winter 2025

Our latest edition of InSight is out now.

This edition includes:

You can read the latest issue of InSight here or by clicking the image below-

The front cover of InSight's winter edition.

You can listen to InSight here-

Introduction

Letter from the CEO

Christmas at Wilberforce Trust

Club Wilber

Values, Christmas fundraising and thank yous

InSight Magazine- Autumn 2025

Our latest edition of InSight is out now.

This edition includes:

You can read the latest issue of InSight here or by clicking the image below-

The front cover of autumn InSight magazine

You can listen to InSight here-

Letter from the CEO

Connecting with the sector- YorSensory

Judi Dench

Club Wilber’s summer adventures

Club Wilber turns 6

Tenant’s Bridlington trip

Tinnitus Support Group

YOPA Fair

Visionary Award nomination

Stronger Starts fundraiser

Vote for Club Wilber with Tesco blue tokens!
Our Tesco Stronger Starts blue token appeal is now LIVE!!
Every time you shop at one of the participating Tesco stores you can collect a blue token which you can use to cast a vote. There will be well- signed boxes to the store entrance/ exit where you will see our name! The participating Tesco stores in our area are Tesco Extra Askham Bar, Acomb Wood Tesco Express, York Piccadilly Tesco Express and York Ouse Bridge Tesco Express.
The Stronger Starts scheme is a fundraiser for charities, groups and organisations to collect votes via blue tokens to be in with a chance of a grant for up to £1500. The causes are usually related to young people and we will be collecting tokens for our children’s group, Club Wilber.
Please share with family and friends as we would love to raise as much money as we can for Club Wilber!
Club Wilber & VICTA Young Achievers
Collaborating with the Vision Impairment Education Team at City of York Council, Club Wilber had their second session for the VICTA Young Achievers Award, this time working towards the Nature element.
In the first of two sessions for this part of the award, young people worked hard to turn everyday recycling into what they dubbed ‘apartments’ for our brand-new bug hotel in Wilberforce House’s sensory garden. After stuffing the hotel with their ‘apartments’, leaves, sticks, rocks, and pinecones, we returned inside to vote on the name of our new bug hotel.
Introducing Wilber’s Garden Guesthouse- bespoke sign coming soon!
Wilberforce Trust meets Lucy Edwards!

Journalist Lisa Byrne met with Lucy Edwards during the publicity tour for her new book-

British celebrities with visual impairments are showing the world that disabilities are no barrier to greatness. Firstly, comedian Chris McCausland slayed his rivals on Strictly Come Dancing to waltz off with the much-coveted Glitter Ball prize. Then charismatic presenter Lucy Edwards, published her first children’s book Ella Jones vs the Sun Stealer. This gorgeous 29-year-old Brummie is a radiant inspiration to us all. Yes, she has been through horrendously tough times and felt like giving up, but Lucy is a force of nature and has a steely focus which will ensure she continues to thrive.

Despite having a crazy schedule, the content creator, agreed to sit down with prestigious vision and hearing impairment charity, The Wilberforce Trust, to offer words of advice and motivation during an exclusive interview. Stating with huge conviction, ‘I lost my eyesight, not my vision.’

The writer was diagnosed blind at 17 due to the rare genetic disease Incontinentia Pigmenti. Rather than letting this disability control the rest of her life she has thrived and remains hugely ambitious. Lucy, lives in Birmingham with her visual effects’ artist husband Ollie Cave, and gorgeous guide dog Molly.

 

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU OFFER TO THE WILBERFORCE TRUST’S CLUB WILBER CHILDREN, YOUNG ADULTS AND THEIR CARERS WHO ARE GOING THROUGH SIGHT IMPAIRMENT ISSUES?

I used to have horrendously low self-esteem and felt like such a burden to everyone around me. Life was like Groundhog Day, waking up feeling so low and bleak. But slowly over time I learnt to retrain my brain and would greet each day saying a mantra to myself, ‘I am amazing, I am beautiful, I am resilient’. There’s so much power in reframing your brain to believe in the positives of yourself and your life. You have to put one foot in front of the other and do things that take you out of your comfort zone as that’s what makes you strong. Do one thing at a time, such as make a cup of tea, go for a walk with your guide dog, somewhere you haven’t been before. It’s not a bad thing to feel grief stricken about losing your vision, it’s a natural human feeling. But believe me, the most important part of your life is your inner voice, changing it from a position of negativity to a positive tone is so powerful and transformational.

 

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE TO VISUALLY IMPAIRED CHILDREN TRANSITIONING INTO ADULTHOOD?

You need to know your own mind and advocate for yourself. Draw up a document about what you want your life to look like, such as would you prefer to be guided or have a guide dog. If you have this document with your wants and needs, you can present it to potential bosses. What you truly do not want is to be treated differently by being covered up with bubble wrap. Being independent and free will give you so much power which in turn makes you feel happier. Rather than hide under the duvet, I made the decision that I was going to go out as much as I could with my guide dog Molly, goodness it’s hard but it is so worth it.

 

VISION REHABILITATION SERVICES ARE UNDER PRESSURE, WHAT’S BEEN YOUR EXPERIENCE?

It’s been a real mix of positive and negative experiences. Funding was cut so I couldn’t have my Braille lessons, but my mother really fought my corner. And I had an amazing assistant who wouldn’t take no for an answer when I said I couldn’t do something like cook lasagna, she made sure I completed these kinds of tasks which gave me more independence. I managed to get into law school but soon dropped out due to my declining mental health, and thankfully I eventually got a job at the BBC has been amazing. Therapy wise I did EMDR (eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing) which was incredible, and I’d highly recommend it.

 

HOW HAVE YOUR PARENTS DEALT WITH EVERYTHING?

They have been absolutely incredible. I had an impairment throughout my childhood, my parents noticed something was wrong when I was four – they thought it was chicken pox. I was taken to hospital and became blind in my right eye at the age of 11. Over time my life gradually changed from what the other schoolkids were doing, I would have secret cane lessons while they’d be on the sports’ field. Then when I was older and going to pubs and clubs, I tried to hide the fact that I couldn’t see, but I often fell over so people assumed I was drunk. My friends have been so amazing though, they would let me dance in the middle of our group where I felt safe.

 

YOU’RE AN AUTHOR, CONTENT CREATOR AND BBC PRESENTER, WHO’S AMASSED A FOLLOWING OF OVER 2.8 MILLION! HOW DO YOU JUGGLE EVERYTHING?

I love everything I do, especially being a blind role model because it means I can communicate to the outside world what our lives can truly be like. However, although social media has been incredible for me and is a fantastic way to talk to people, it’s paramount not to let it reflect your inner self worth, people’s opinions are not important unless it’s those of the people who love you. In the morning all my notifications are turned off, instead I read a book, meditate on my Calm app or go to the gym. A while ago I became in such a rut, listening to all the negative comments I was getting, which would ruin my day – people can be so cruel. Recently I’ve started speaking about us beginning the process of IVF and someone commented that I should be sterilised and that it was great that I couldn’t have a child as I would probably choke the baby! But look, I am so, so lucky to have the people around me who steer me well away from these ugly voices. I aim to go through IVF and hopefully have a child but it’s so weird that I will never see my baby’s face

 

YOUR WEDDING DAY WAS BEAUTIFUL AND RATHER UNIQUE…

Yes! We made sure everyone, including my husband Ollie, were all blindfolded when I walked down the aisle. I wanted them to have an idea of what my life is like and to have their other senses heightened, it was incredible, and everyone reacted so well to it.

I met Ollie when I still had vision, so I didn’t think I’d be a blind bride. I wanted guests to walk in my footsteps by being blindfolded, everyone was crying but it was so amazing.

 

DO YOU EVER FEEL FRUSTRATED BY PEOPLE MOANING ABOUT SILLY THINGS?

No, because let’s face it, everything is relative. I just want to be a positive force. When I have a bad blind day, I put my headphones on and lie under my dementia blanket which has an amazing texture and makes me feel comforted.

 

HOW DO YOU RELAX?

I love ordering Margherita pizza and having a few cheeky glasses of Champagne! My perfect weekend waking up to read A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas, followed by indulging in a foot spa, back massage and manicure then binging on a Netflix series – just like everyone else.

 

YOUR BOOK ELLA JONES vs THE SUN STEALER IS A SENSATION! WHERE DID YOU GET THE CONCEPT OF A BLIND GIRL SAVING THE WORLD FROM DARKNESS CREATED BY VENGEFUL PAGAN GOD LUGH?

I went into an editorial meeting wanting so much for a character to be based on me, a very confident version of myself – as blind people aren’t often main characters. I worked in collaboration with fabulous children’s author Katy Birchall, who was amazing. I’ve plotted the story for years and years and wanted to make sure Ella was powerful and resilient. Holding my first copy of the book was so cool – it’s been a great year!

A photo of the disability content creator and author, Lucy Edwards, and her guide dog. Lucy has long red hair and she is smiling. She is holding up a book which is called Ella Jones and the Sun Stealer.

 

Ella Jones vs the Sun Stealer by Lucy Edwards in collaboration with Katy Birchall with cover illustration by Two Dots and interior illustrations by Caroline Garcia is £7.99 paperback also available eBook and audio and Braille for free via the RNIB. Published by Scholastic.

Club Wilber went on Safari!
Club Wilber had fun on Safari last week!
Helen and Ava from Sam’s Safaris came to tell us all about the animals in their care. We learnt some cool facts and enjoyed having a feel of all the animals; running our fingers along lizard scales, feeling sticky snail feet and patting the blanket soft fur of a chinchilla. We even had a noisy duck piping up to greet us. Afterwards, we had a game of hungry hippos, played with some rain sticks, had a go on the African drum, and enjoyed some safari themed refreshments!
Thank you to the Sylvia and Colin Shepherd Charitable Trust and LNER who helped fund this activity.
InSight Magazine – Winter 2024

Our latest edition of InSight is out now.

This edition includes:

 

Click here or the image above to read the latest edition of our InSight Magazine

InSight Magazine – Autumn 2023

Our latest edition of InSight is out now.

This edition includes:

 

Click here or the image above to read the latest edition of our InSight Magazine