Even more surprising as the target audience is local blind people. We have about 400 people receiving a weekly local newspaper, on tape, about 50 who receive the extracts from the Sunday papers, and a number who receive a sports round-up, at no cost to them whatsoever. It costs around �5000.00 a year to run the whole thing. If the blind person is not able to afford a tape player we also provide that. It is run entirely by volunteers, only one person receives any money from the organisation, and that is just some mileage payments as he uses his car every day. Even the Post Office provide a free postal service, to and from our Centre. We receive donations from the listeners and local organisations, and from time to time legacies from our late recipients.
There are local Talking newspapers all over the country and a National Talking Newspaper Association in Heathfield in Sussex. They can provide most National Newspapers on tape (weekly round-up) and magazines ranging from Womens magazines to sports to Country Life. There is a subscription charge, but far less than the cost of a sighted person buying the magazine. You are obviously aware of the Talking Book Association, which is possibly still based in Mount Pleasance. Back in 1971 they had a section of a book go bad, so as my cousin was working there he suggested I could re-read it. It was a Nuclear Physics book, and that was one of my study subjects.
Sorry if this has bored you, but I find giving my time to this organisation very rewarding, and feel more passionate about it than crosswords!!