Brooks records news tapes for the visually impaired

On Friday 10th October Brooks Newmark spent his evening at Mid Essex Talking Pages, recording newspapers to be read to the blind and partially sighted people of Braintree and Witham. On Friday 10th October Brooks Newmark spent his evening at Mid Essex Talking Pages, recording newspapers to be read to the blind and partially sighted people of Braintree and Witham.

Mid Essex News Tapes Association (MENTA) is a free service for the visually impaired people of Braintree and Witham, providing a weekly news digest on one and a half hour tapes. These tapes are free to anyone registered as blind or partially sighted in the area, and MENTA can even supply a cassette player for those not currently owning one.

MENTA is a registered charity always looking for volunteers to assist in a number of roles, from news reading or editing, to fundraising. They are particularly keen for the involvement of the younger generation to ensure this important service is provided in our area for years to come.

Brooks says of his news reading experience, 'sometimes it can be easy to forget how much we take for granted the everyday routine of reading the news, so its great to be able to help provide this for the blind and partially sighted people of Braintree and Witham. MENTA does an excellent job in our local community, but it's important that we get more people involved. Volunteering only takes a small amount of time, but it brings such significant benefits to all those who rely on receiving the news. I will definitely be returning soon to record more news tapes.'

If you're willing to volunteer some of your time, or wish to request tapes, please e-mail ray.hardisty@btopenworld.com or call 01206 545062.