The Black Country Talking Newspaper and Magazine (BCTNM) is based at Pocklington Resource Centre in Stourbridge.
Established over 30 years ago, it is a free service funded by Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council and voluntary donations. In 2008 the BCTNM became part of Pocklington while retaining its own special identity.
The service is provided by volunteers and a Co-ordinator and sends out approximately 900 tapes each month keeping listeners informed with local issues.
What do the cassettes contain?
Recorded by volunteers at The Mary Stevens Centre in Stourbridge, our tapes consist of a digest of the week’s news and sport taken from local newspapers together with other items of interest for people with sight loss.
Our monthly Magazine includes ‘live’ interviews with local people and celebrities.
How does the service operate?
Talking Newspaper cassettes are delivered weekly by post to our listeners in special reusable plastic wallets. After listening to the tapes they are posted back to us to be erased and used for the next week’s recording.
The Magazine is sent out each month and returned to us within the next couple of weeks.
The local Arabic Talking News is also recorded at our studio in Stourbridge - please contact us for details.
How much does it cost?
Nothing - it’s FREE! There is no charge for the service and for people with a visual impairment there are no postage costs either, through Royal Mail's Articles for the Blind scheme.
How do I become a listener?
It’s easy to join and all we need is your name, address, telephone number and date of birth. Telephone us on 01384 443680. If there is no one there to take your call, leave a message on our answer phone and we will get back to you.
You can also download and print the BCTNM listener application form and return it to BCTNM at the address below. You can also write to us at the address below.
Important! If you want to arrange this service for someone else, please make sure you have obtained the person’s permission first.
Recording and copying service
We also offer a recording and copying service for organisations requiring information such as their meetings and minutes in cassette format. Please contact us for further details and a quotation.
Volunteer opportunities
Volunteering is a great way to contribute to your community and can improve your career and social life. All volunteers receive ongoing support from centre staff.
For further information on our volunteer opportunities, and to apply online, please visit the Volunteer at Pocklington pages.
For more information please contact us at:
Black Country Talking Newspaper and Magazine
Pocklington Resource Centre
Mary Stevens Centre
221 Hagley Road
Oldswinford
Stourbridge DY8 2JP
Tel: 01384 443680
Fax: 01384 370056
Email: bctnandm@yahoo.co.uk
