WINCHESTER Talking Newspaper (WTN), which produces sound recordings of the Hampshire Chronicle for blind and partially sighted people, is looking for a new base.

The charity was formed in 1989 and has been recording the Hampshire Chronicle ever since.

The first recordings, on cassette tapes, were made in an annex to one of the members' homes but later moved to a recording studio alongside Winchester Hospital Radio at the RHCH. When the hospital was being redeveloped nine years ago, WTN was offered a room by Richard Steel & Partners Ltd, funeral directors, in their Chesil Street premises. Expansion of Steel's in 2018 required a further relocation and a temporary solution was to move back to the original annex in Wonston, where the recordings are currently produced.

However, this facility is available only for another year and new premises need to be found before the end of 2020.

The recording studio, including all recording and copying equipment, needs to be housed in a room measuring about 15 square metres, with access to power and the ability to install a telephone line. Access by volunteers to record and post copies of the recording to listeners would be required a couple of times a week.

However, the charity is very flexible regarding their location, as the volunteers have experience in recording both in the city centre and in a rural environment.

If anyone thinks they may be able to help, contact chairman John Richards on 02380 732888. He can also be emailed at jprich@tiscali.co.uk.