|
Like many teenagers, Alex Kerr,
Ian Glover, Clark Struthers and Sabur Akhter had a keen interest in
radio and 'messing about with tape recorders'. The four friends
lived within a short distance of each other and often used to met in
Alex Kerr's house. Alex had converted part of his bedroom into a
'recording studio' and many happy hours were spent recording dummy
radio programmes containing music, interviews, news reports,
requests and all the usual features you would expect to find on the
radio. The tapes were often passed around school friends and
relatives who appeared to enjoy them and sometimes offered to lend a
hand. In 1981, after leaving school, Alex Kerr attended a college
course at which, as part of the course, the topic of local services
for handicapped people was discussed. One of the services mentioned
was talking newspapers for the blind and Alex, with his keen
interest in recording and radio, decided to find out more. He was
eventually put in touch with Peter Fraser from the Playback Service
for the Blind who met with Alex and gave him invaluable advice and
information on the logistics of starting a talking newspaper. In the
summer of 1981, the four friends met with a view to starting a
talking newspaper in Johnstone. Following a meeting with members of
the local social club for the blind they had obtained the names and
addresses of twelve visually impaired people in the Johnstone area
who wished to receive the tapes. The group received a £400 grant
from the Prince's Trust and held a fund-raising 'tombola' stall in
Alex Kerr's garden. The funds raised were used to purchase a supply
of tapes and wallets, a small 'shoe box' tape recorder and a couple
of microphones. The group were ready to produce their first edition!
On 5 November 1981 the first edition of the Johnstone & District
Talking Newspaper for the Blind was distributed to twelve visually
impaired people in Johnstone and surrounding area. The four 16-year
olds delivered the first edition by hand and were amazed to find
that all over Johnstone fireworks were let off and bonfires lit in
celebration!
More >>>>
|
