WINCHESTER Talking Newspaper (WTN) is still seeking a new home before its need to move from its current studio next month.

It has been providing weekly recordings of excerpts from the Echo’s sister paper the Hampshire Chronicle for 100 blind and partially sighted readers for 26 years.

Listeners receive a weekly recording on a memory stick, which they can play on a special player, provided by WTN. The service is free.

A monthly magazine is also recorded and distributed. In addition, WTN records for other organisations, such as the WI, Winchester City Council and the Women’s Royal Army Corps Association.

For eight years WTN has operated from a studio in Chesil House on Chesil Street, through the generosity of Richard Steel & Partners. However, WTN needs to find a new home, because Steels has completed an extensive rebuilding and refurbishment and needs the space back.

John Richards, WTN’s chairman, says: “WTN’s needs are modest – the current studio is 11ft x 16ft (176sq ft). We will also need access to power, WC facilities and a phone line (although the last will probably have to be installed by us).

“WTN is a charity and, as such, has no regular income and relies on donations and legacies. When we were in Chesil House, Steels very generously charged us a nominal rent.We must vacate our current studio by this coming Christmas, so our needs are becoming increasingly urgent. We are a vital service to many people in the local community. We appeal to businesses and others in Winchester and its environs to help us in our hour of need.”

If you can help contact John on 023 8073 2888 or jprich@tiscali.co.uk.