Skip over main navigation
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • Test link
Talking News Federation
    • Log out
    • Log in
  • Twitter
Menu
  • Who we are
    • Talking News Federation
    • Our Presidents
    • Our Trustees
    • Our History
  • Find a talking newspaper
  • How we help
    • Support us
      • Become a Volunteer
      • Supporters
    • TN Talk
    • Talking Newspaper on Alexa
    • Talking Newspaper App
    • TNF Training and Advice
    • Charity Digital Exchange
    • Independent Review
    • How to access the Members Area
    • Promote Your Local Talking Newspaper Event
    • Events
      • TNF National Events
  • Membership
    • Become a Talking Newspaper Member
    • Setting up a Talking Newspaper - FAQ
    • Become a Listener
    • Listener FAQ
  • TNF Members area
    • TNF Winter Workshops
    • TNF Winter Workshops - Recordings
    • TNF Coronavirus (Covid - 19)
      • COVID 19 TNF Guidance
    • TN Online Services Guide
    • Ann Charles - Workflow for Remote Recording
    • TN Remote Recording Options
    • TNF Policies
    • Guidance and Information
    • TNF Information Booklets
    • TNF Strategy
    • TNF Grants
    • TNF Constitution
    • TNF Committee Meetings
    • TNF Annual Report and Accounts
    • TNF Long Service Award
    • "Sales and Wants"
  • Editors Content
    • TNF Soundings
    • Content sources for your Talking Newspaper
    • General content
    • London Beyond Sight - 1
    • London Beyond Sight - 2
    • Music Clips
    • Music Clips 2
    • Short Stories
    • Short Stories 2
    • Nature Notes
    • Tameside Short Stories
      • Tameside Short Stories List of Titles
      • Tameside Stories Page 1
      • Tameside Stories Page 2
      • Tameside Stories Page 3
      • Tameside Stories Page 4
      • Tameside Stories Page 5
      • Tameside Stories Page 6
    • Gerald Ramshaw Presentations
  • Admin
    • Log in
    • Test link
  • Basket: (0 items)

Our Trustees

The Talking Newspaper Federation Committee has a maximum of 9 trustees. A further 3 trustees can be co-opted for specific tasks. Both elected and co-opted members must be active within a local Talking Newspaper, or connected to an organisation that specialises in the production of audio text, or be an Individual Associate Member - all of whom must be members of the Federation. Each member, once their election as a trustee is ratified at an AGM, serves a 3 year term. After 3 years, they may stand for re-election for another 3 year term if they wish to do so.

Michael Lewington - Chair

 

Michael was the Director and Company Secretary of Calibre Audio Library from September 2007 until October 2019. Calibre provides audio books for any person unable to read normal print.  Previously a Company Secretary and contributes to the lawful governance and complete legal compliance in all TNF matters relevant to charity law.  His speciality is audio and he is passionate that audio must sit alongside other formats; braille, large print and increasingly the availability of eBooks with text to speech.  As a Trustee he is committed to the promotion of all material including newspapers and magazines to be available in accessible formats and of good quality.  The Talking News Federation and local Talking Newspapers play a vital role in the audio production and distribution of local newspapers and magazines that would otherwise not be available to listeners. 

Cathy Sexton - Secretary

When my local TN – Grenestede Talking News – was looking for volunteers in 2012, I joined as a recording engineer as I knew how important receiving local information was to people who could not read their local paper after my Dad started receiving his local TN. Then having been involved for three years, the chairman wanted to step down so I volunteered and have been the chairman since 2015.  I became involved with TNF since January 2017 and I have been organising and documenting the items held in the TNF archive and want to make the archive a useable resource for members of TNF.  I was co-opted onto the TNF committee as secretary after the 2017 AGM and voted onto the committee at the 2018 AGM.

Richard Black - Hon Treasurer

Richard worked in many areas of a major bank for 24 years followed by 12 years with the National Lottery Community Fund.  When a reorganisation of the Fund relocated his job to Newcastle upon Tyne in 2007 he left the Fund and worked as a charity consultant until 2015.  He is Treasurer of Chelmsford Talking Newspaper and one of their Technical Officers.  Since 2014, Richard has been the Treasurer for the Talking News Federation and of three other local charities.

 

Amanda Reed

Amanda’s relationship with Visual Impairment started at Walsall Society for the Blind at 15 years old, here she went on her first work placement from school.  After leaving College she went on to work for SENSE a National Charity working with Deaf Blind adults, followed by joining the NHS as a Care Manager.  She returned to the Walsall Society in January 2006 as the Chief Executive Officer.  Over the past 13 years Amanda has made changes in the Society operations, ensuring that it is fit for the future.  She Chairs the Walsall Talking Newspaper Committee and has been part of the team that has challenged the original format of their Talking Newspaper and supported as it went digital then extended to a magazine service also.  She has served on the TNF committee since November 2012.  She is currently the Chairman for TNF current supports the committee with strategy.

Alan Dunderdale

Alan has a history of caring, first as a line ambulanceman with paramedic training. Alan retired and moved to become a site supervisor at a special needs school.. As a result of meeting his wife Marjorie who is a very strong TN supporter of over 35 years he became involved 8 years ago with Burnley Talking Newspaper, assisting them to move from analogue cassettes through digitalization.  He has with his wife made up the development team and been instrumental in the rebuilding of a new Leeds Talking Newspaper. As the Trustee with responsibility for development he works with old and new Talking Newspapers’s to develop their service offer for the betterment of our blind and partially sighted listeners.

Paul Ramsden

I have combined a career in the oil industry, focussing on technical, economic and recycling areas, with longstanding involvement as a volunteer in the charitable sector. Initially with Relate, as a counsellor before moving on to become Chair of Relate in Cheshire and Merseyside and then a member of the national Relate Board with responsibility for governance matters. As Chair of Stockport Talking News for the past seven years, I just caught the end of the tape cassette era and then more recently oversaw the move from CD’s to Memory Sticks. This was particularly enjoyable as it provided an opportunity to visit many of our TN listeners in their homes and gain a greater insight into the personal challenges faced by visually impaired, and often older, members of the local community.

Published: 7th August, 2019

Updated: 19th August, 2020

Author: Michael Lewington

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Latest

  • London Beyond Sight - 2

  • Talking Newspaper on Alexa

    Talking Newspaper on Alexa

    Its here! Listen to Talking Newspapers and Magazines on Alexa. No need to wait for the post, access your Talking Newspaper when you want, sit back and relax and listen to your local news and information on Alexa Click here for further information

  • Brighton and Hove Talking Newspaper

    The Brighton and Hove TNĀ  service provides weekly recordings of selected articles from the ARGUS newspaper, a daily publication that covers news mainly from the Sussex area.

  • Gerald Ramshaw Presentations

    A series of presentstions on techical aspects delivered by Gerald Ramshaw.

Most read

  • Find a talking newspaper

    Do you know someone who would benefit from their local newspaper in audio - yes then locate their nearest free service on the "Find a Talking Newspaper page) and contact them.

  • Gerald Ramshaw Presentations

    A series of presentstions on techical aspects delivered by Gerald Ramshaw.

  • TNF Coronavirus (Covid - 19)

    Advice from TNF for TN Members. Click here for more information. PLEASE NOTE WE ARE UNABLE TO ANSWER CALLS ON THE TNF TELEPHONE AT THE SHEFFIELD ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND AS THEIR OFFICES ARE CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. TNF CONTINUES TO ACCESS EMAILS. CONFIRMATION OF CHEQUES RECEIVED AND RENEWALS WILL BE DELAYED.

  • Talking Newspaper on Alexa

    Talking Newspaper on Alexa

    Its here! Listen to Talking Newspapers and Magazines on Alexa. No need to wait for the post, access your Talking Newspaper when you want, sit back and relax and listen to your local news and information on Alexa Click here for further information

  • Become a Volunteer

    Become a Volunteer

    Are you keen to help blind and partially sighted people access local news and information - time to spare- why not volunteer for your local Talking Newspaper? For further information on the volunteering roles click here.

  • Accessibility

    We are committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience, regardless of technology or ability. if you wish to learn more and how to optimise this website for your use please read our detailed gudelines.

  • Privacy Policy

    The Talking News Federation is fully committed to respecting the privacy of all personal information received through this website. We do not and will not share your information with any third party.

  • Example - Support us

    Push already-interested visitors over the line with stories, stats and ideas. Make next steps clear

  • London Beyond Sight - 2

  • TNF Annual Report and Accounts

Latest tweet

Sign up for our newsletter

Please enter your first name
Please enter your last name
Please enter your email address Please enter a valid email address (e.g. [email protected])

Find us

Registered Office
145 Victoria Road
Swindon
SN1 3BU

+44 (0)1793 497555
[email protected]

Links

  • Sitemap
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions - Legal Disclaimer

Follow us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube

© Copyright Talking News Federation. 2019. All rights reserved. Registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation no. 1185913