About us

The Swindon & District Talking News (STAN) is an independent registered charity (registered charity number 1206237) based at Craven House, 145 Victoria Road, Swindon, SN1 3BU. STAN is run by volunteers and managed by a board of Trustees elected annually according to the Constitution. Like 300+ other local talking newspapers, STAN is affiliated to the Talking News Federation.

Picture of Veronica Trustee and Minute Secretary sat at her lap top

What is STAN?

The fortnightly Swindon & District Talking News (STAN) gives blind, visually impaired and disabled listeners an independent means of keeping in touch with what’s going on in the local community.

The history of Swindon Talking News

The organisation started in 1981, with its first edition of the "Talking News" produced in 1982, and premises obtained in 1984. It has gone through changes from analogue to digital, with the necessary equipment being sent free of charge to listeners and celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2022.

In the beginning - 1981

Gerry England, a local blind Swindonian, listened to a tape produced by a group in Scotland. He felt the town warranted it's own local talking news due to the growing number of visually impaired people in the local community. Following approaches to various organisations, a local Rotary Club agreed to buy the basic equipment.

First Edition - April 1982

The first edition of the tape, known as STAN, was produced on reel-to-reel tape equipment and taken to listeners together with a large tape deck!

Premises - October 1983

Initially recordings were made at Swindon Viewpoint Studios before moving to the home of STAN founder Shirley Ludford. In October 1983 the upper floor of the local Blind Association Headquarters became vacant and a room, which had previously been the caretaker's lounge was converted into a recording studio and control room. By now STAN was delivered on compact cassettes.

Weekly Production - 1987

A milestone in the history of STAN was the Committee's decision to change from fortnightly to weekly production in 1987. In the five years since the first edition of STAN the circulation had risen from 70 to around 180.

USB Memory Stick - 2010

Since 2010 the Talking News has been produced on a USB memory stick, which listeners play on a "boom box", which is provided free of charge. The memory stick can also be played on a computer or any device capable of reading mp3 files from a USB stick. Following the Covid pandemic the recordings have returned to being fortnightly.

Meet the team

Mike King

Chair of Trustees and Production & Volunteer Co-ordinator

I started volunteering in 2018 as a Presenter. In 2020 I became the Production and Volunteer Co-ordinator, organising the volunteer rota and organising content for each edition of STAN. In 2025 I was delighted to be voted as the Chair of Trustees.

Jackie Wray

Trustee & Secretary

I started volunteering in 2007 as a reader. I have MS myself and many people with this condition have visual problems so I wanted to give something back to the local community . Soon after I also took on the role of Secretary, which I've done on and off for a number of years.

Alan Avery

Trustee & Treasurer

I first became aware of STAN when I read an article in the local newspaper looking for volunteers to read. I also discovered that a friend was a listener and as a result I joined STAN in 2010. I am a retired science lecturer and had previously acted as treasurer for other voluntary organisations, so I naturally progressed to become treasurer for STAN.

Mike Wood

Trustee & Chair Emeritus

I started volunteering in 1984 (two years after the organisation was founded), when as a Round Tabler I presented a cheque to the organisation and was inspired to join them. I have been involved with a number of changes over the years, including overseeing the move from analogue to digital format.

Veronica Laker

Trustee & Minute Secretary

I started volunteering in 2002 after moving to the area as a way of giving back to the local community. I have been involved in a number of roles over the years ranging from reader and editor to presenter and engineer. I also helped organise our 'parties' for milestone achievements such as the 40th Anniversary tea party. I now volunteer as a Trustee and Minute Secretary.

Glenn Harris

Sound Engineer & Audio Editor

I have been studio engineering/audio editing since 2019, taking up the role in earnest following the Covid pandemic. I also work closely with the presenters to put together the bi-weekly programme.

Become a listener

Anyone who lives in the Swindon and surrounding area, who is either visually impaired, blind or print disabled (unable to read N12 print) can use our serivce free of charge. Appropriate equipment will be provided and USB sticks with the regular recordings will be sent out and returned by Royal Mail, all free of charge.

How to become a listener

Audio editors

News readers

Copy writers

Trustees

Are you interested in volunteering for us?

We have many interesting roles including: Audio editors, who record the news and convert it to a USB stick ready for copying; News readers who read the various articles in the recording studio then copy the Master USB stick onto further sticks to be sent out to the listeners; Copy writers, who write articles to be included with the rest of the articles; Trustees, who manage the charity.

Volunteer for us

Jane Jones, Volunteer Reader

I am Jane Jones and I am 68. I retired from my job as a primary school teacher in 2015. I am married with 2 grown up daughters and 1 grandson and 1 granddaughter. I also volunteer in a charity shop, as well as listening to readers in the reception class of my grandchildren's primary school and announcing at swimming galas.

Reading for STAN was something I had wanted to do for a long time, but couldn't fit it in whilst teaching. I wanted to do this because of my paternal grandfather, who lost his sight when my mum was pregnant with me, so he never saw me but I used to read to him as soon as I was able.

Jane Jones

DJ, Listener

Many thanks for my first edition of the memory stick from the Talking News, which I enjoyed listening to all the items very much. Looking forward to the next one.

Tokuma Jeczalik, Audio Editor

I began volunteering here as part of my Bronze DofE (Duke of Edinburgh award) and I was unsure what to expect. Luckily it is an extremely friendly environment and I feel very fulfilled as I am helping people in our local community. I have now started college and I am continuing to volunteer each fortnight for my Gold DofE. I highly recommend STAN, whether you are a prospective Listener or a Volunteer; everyone is so kind and everyone works to provide the best experience possible for our Listeners.

Tokuma Jeczalik

DT, Listener

I received my first issue of Swindon Talking News along with the player in 2022 as I had been unable to read the Swindon Advertiser for about 4 years due to fading eyesight. This has been a new experience for me which I have found most interesting, informative and entertaining. My sincere thanks to you all and I look forward to future editions.

Mike King, Production & Volunteer Co-ordinator

In 2018, when I hit my milestone 40th birthday, I felt I wanted to do something in my spare time, so looked for local charities who I could support. I started as a Presenter on a once-a-month basis which suited me perfectly as I work full-time, but gradually I came in more frequently to read or present, as well as taking on more behind-the-scenes duties. Since 2020 I have been Production & Volunteer Co-ordinator, organising the rota for our volunteers as well as some of the content for each edition of STAN. In 2025 I became the Chair of Trustees, a role where I can put my leadership skills to good use to support the charity with an aim to increase our listener numbers and improve the service we offer. I love hearing from our Listeners who have some fascinating stories of their own, as well as receiving feedback so we can improve the service to their needs. It's very rewarding to know that STAN can be a real "lifeline" and makes a huge difference to our Listeners' lives. Anyone wishing to join the team to do something rewarding, please get in touch.

Mike King

Contact us

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