A LONG-STANDING volunteer of the Redditch and Bromsgrove Talking Newspaper (R&BTN) is celebrating her 80th birthday as she continues to play an integral role in the organisation.
Margaret Mountford turns 80 today (Saturday) and her fellow volunteers would like to wish her a very special birthday and thank her for all she has done in making local news more accessible to the sight impaired for around 40 years.
The Talking Newspaper offers a recorded audio programme of the latest news from around the county for those who, for whatever reason, cannot read physical papers. The service is important in helping communities such as the visually impaired, elderly, disabled and others to have access to local news.
Along with her husband Richard, the trustee and former chair of the group was involved very early on after the Talking Newspaper was established, around 40 years ago. To this day, she continues to play a vital role in supporting the group’s work as well as sustaining a deep connection with the community.
Over the years, Margaret has also developed a strong connection with other organisations supporting the blind with her actions being described as ‘invaluable’ by current R&BTN chair, Hedley Brook-Carter.
Hedley told the Standard: “Margaret has been a stalwart of the R&BTN for many years.
“She’s been a figurehead and is very well known and respected in the community.
“Although, having stepped down as chair, she nevertheless remains an important contributor to what we do.”
Margaret was also crucial in helping the team to take the service digital when the pandemic put a halt to the group’s usual meetings to produce the publication. Since taking the service online, Hedley says listenership had increased ‘exponentially’.
Previously the content would be downloaded onto USB devices and shared physically with those signed up to the service. Now it is also accessible via smart devices such as Amazon Alexa or through a dedicated mobile app. Visit the Redditch and Bromsgrove Talking Newspaper on Facebook for more.
