Galloway Talking Newspaper

22/08/2024

Lovely presentation tonight to mark Jim Cowan's retirement from GTN. Jim and Cathy have supported GTN for longer than anyone can remember, so it was fitting that we did something a little special for them both. If it wasn't for Jim, there is every chance the organisation would have petered to a halt, so we have a lot to thank him for. As Bob quite rightly said, "if you want something done, ask a busy person to do it" and that's Jim through and through.

14/08/2024

30/07/2023

Being able to read is something most people take for granted. But what if you are blind or partially sighted? It is reporteded that about 1 in 6 people will have impaired sight by the age of 75.
The Galloway Talking Newspaper Association for the Blind, (GTN), was formed in 1994. It is a registered Charity (SC 022436) staffed solely by volunteers, and funded mainly by donations.
Each week, 90-minute recordings of edited extracts from the two local newspapers are made on USB memory-sticks. They are sent out in returnable pouches using Royal Mail’s Freepost service. For listening-in, specially-designed memory-stick players are provided to users free of charge on long-term loan.
If you know of someone who is unable to read due to a disability, and would like to try-out the free service, please contact GTN.
‘Phone 01776 830 315
Likewise, please get in touch if you wish to consider helping GTN by volunteering. Jobs for Readers and Editors are available, but people with computer skills are needed to process the recordings.

28/07/2023

Galloway Talking Newspaper, (GTN), has now provided, free, recordings of edited extracts from the local newspapers for about 28 years. It is a local Registered Charity financed by donations & fund raising. The news is recorded on USB sticks sent out weekly in returnable freepost-wallets. Most Listeners use the free player provided as part of the service. It is produced entirely by Volunteers. While half of the output continues to be produced in the recording studio, some readers now record at home using their mobile telephones and computers. Investigations are now in hand with a view to making the recordings available on-line.

09/09/2021

I am pleased to confirm that GTN has been able to continue sending out the local news stories edited from the Free Press and Galloway Gazette. Most of the recent issues have been recorded using mobile phones. The recordings were then sent to one technical person for processing into a master copy which is then duplicated to usb sticks for distribution. It has also been possible to do a couple of magazine recordings when restrictions were eased. It is now clear that more modern methods of recording and processing will continue to be needed, but we will continue to do whatever it takes within our power to keep the weekly service going. What we do need is more Listeners. If you know of anyone who might be having difficulty with reading due to sight loss or other disability they should get in touch to find out more about our free weekly news service. Jim Cowan, Secretary.

12/04/2020

Wishing everyone at GTN and our wonderful listeners a lovely Easter. Frances and I are sorry our family attempt at keeping the recordings going came to an end this week with the temporary shut down of the Free Press, so hoping you enjoyed listening to the guest appearance of our stand in readers. All best and we look forward to more recordings soon.

28/02/2020

Nice little write up done for us, thank you

http://thirdsectordumgal.org.uk/charity-news-volunteers-funding/

A team of volunteers are continuing to bring the news from Wigtownshire in Dumfries and

06/11/2018

Galloway Talking Newspaper provides a free weekly recording of news from our local newspaper. Please contact Stephen Faill tel 07821 961884 or stephen.faill@btinternet.com for more information if you know of any partially sighted or blind person who would benefit from this service.

04/09/2018

Galloway Talking Newspaper provides a free weekly recording of news from our local newspaper. Please contact us for more information if you know of any partially sighted or blind person who would benefit from this service.

24/07/2018

Clearing away the detritus surrounding the gtn offices today, thanks as always to the multi talented jim Cowan for organising.

04/07/2018

Galloway Talking Newspaper provides a free weekly summary of our local news. Please contact us if you know anyone who is blind or partially sighted who could benefit from this service.'

29/04/2018

24/01/2018

A link to Calibre Audio Library as mentioned in this week's recording. It provides you with the facility to download audio books for people with sight problems - so could be of real interest to our readers.

Please let us know if you make use of this and how you find it.

Calibre Audio Library brings the pleasure of reading to people with sight problems, dyslexia or disabilities that prevent them reading print, through a free nationwide postal and internet service of audio books. This website provides details of all our services including on-line access to our comple...

06/01/2018

Wishing a Happy New Year to all volunteers and supporters of GTN. Here's to another successful uninterrupted year of quality weekly recordings for our deserving audience.

21/12/2017

New headsets finally arrived ...