For most people who can see to read, a daily or weekly newspaper is part of their way of life. For those with a visual handicap, the alternative is --------

TAPE.

"ROUNDABOUT" is a cassette tape of local news and information for the registered blind and partially sighted. It was first produced in March 1977, when it was sent to sixteen recipients. The organisation was originally

established by the Nidderdale Round Table, and is now run by the Harrogate and District Talking Newspaper Association. The tape is sent to over 250 readers within an area roughly bounded by Harrogate,

Knaresborough, Wetherby, Boroughbridge, Masham, Pateley Bridge and Ripon.

The 90 minute tape is recorded once a week at the 'Roundabout' studio in Ripley, near Harrogate. Each week the Editor selects items from the local newspapers, consisting of local news, births, marriages and deaths,

entertainment items, court reports and letters to the Editor. We also have a weekly quiz and mention recipients' birthdays.

Every Friday evening a team of readers and a producer record all these items on to a master tape, this is then copied and produces 22 duplicate tapes every three minutes on high speed copying machines. Each copy is placed in a special pouch and posted direct to the recipient. After reversing the address label, and hearing the tape, the recipient returns it in the pouch, post free.

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