The beginning of this new decade is one of special celebration for Papur Sain Ceredigion Talking Newspaper. Its first edition of 2020 on 8 January reflects on and celebrates its first appearance in January 1970, 50 years ago as the Cardiganshire Talking Newspaper. It was the first ever in the whole of the United Kingdom. With 18 people receiving it initially; today it has 112 listeners who have various degrees of visual impairment.
Ben Lake MP has tabled an Early Day Motion in Parliament to celebrate the 50th anniversary and to recognise the impact of the Talking Newspaper on so many lives across Ceredigion and west Wales.
Ben Lake, MP for Ceredigion said:
“As a county we should be proud of Papur Sain Ceredigion, and the team behind this pioneering endeavour are to be congratulated on reaching such a prestigious milestone. This achievement is a testament to the commitment, dedication, and selflessness of the volunteer readers, technical experts and fundraisers who have kept this important service going for half a century. I wish them the very best for the next.”
The Early Day Motion (EDM #40) reads as follows:
“That this House celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Papur Sain Ceredigion Talking newspaper for its remarkable achievements on increasing accessibility for many people across Wales who struggle with disabilities; recognises the importance of Papur Sain Ceredigion’s initial appearance on January 1970 as the first of its kind in the UK, beginning with only an audience of 18 and today drawing in 112 listeners with varying degrees of visual impairment committed to helping them engage, be included and informed on all discussions surrounding current affairs in Wales and beyond; and commends the specific contributions of Ronald Sturt who was the lecturer at the College of Librarianship Wales in Llanbadarn Fawr and the architect of the first talking Newspaper, who sadly passed away on 6 January 2003 aged 81, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy that was marked by his creation and first presidency of the Talking Newspaper Association UK, now known as the Talking Newspaper Federation; and notes that Mr Sturt is most of all remembered for inspiring a whole new generation to carry on this significant work that started with him 50 years ago.”
https://edm.parliament.uk/early-day-motion/53493/papur-sain-ceredigion-talking-newspaper