News

Scotland's youngest Sunday celebrates 250th anniversary - 19 Jun 2002

Born in 1998, the audio summary of the Sunday Herald has just celebrated its 250th weekly appearance. Reaching over 250 visually impaired listeners each week, along with its sister paper The Herald, the 90 minute summary is recorded by a dedicated team of volunteers.

Currently our team is lead by editor Ros, ably assisted by readers Veronica, Irene, and Jackie, and the versatile and long suffering John as technician. John also reads occasionally and is always charming to his female cohorts, which is why we let him stay!

Each week the team assembles at about 11.30 for a cup of coffee and a chat (officially known as an editorial meeting) before settling down to record from noon. One side of the tape is recorded in each studio at the same time, and by 2pm they are ready to copy this week's edition. Our newest recruit, Dee, then gets busy checking each tape before it leaves the building, and by about copy #150 she is singing along with the introductory music, (a variety of Scottish tunes are used and changed when we are fed up listening to Dee's version)and leaves with the team about 4.30 ... still singing.

So how does Ros decide what the running order of the week's edition should be? "After a quick word with Margaret (the editor of our audio version of The Herald) to ensure that no subjects overlap, I choose as wide a variety of topics as possible to accommodate our listeners' wide interests. Regular favourites are Muriel Gray, Rob Edwards and, of course the late Johnathan Wilson's column was a must. We usually include travel, politics, health, business, and anything else that might take the listener's fancy"

Listener feedback on this title consistently highlights the interesting blend of voices and the frequent changes of reader which "brighten up" the tape. "There is also much favourable comment on Jackie's sexy, deep chocolate tones" said Ros. "Other listeners prefer Irene and Veronica's clear Scots voices, and on the few occasions John gets a word in our female listeners are happy"

How does it feel to be the sole technician for all these readers, John?

" The ladies are all excellent readers and I really appreciate this. However, it does add a bit of spice when they "fluff" their lines as it gives me something to do. One of these days I'll upload all their best mistakes and give you our version of 'Sorry I'll Read that Again'"

So what makes our readers turn up week after week, rain hail or shine to spend 5 hours in a windowless studio, sustained only by coffee and biscuits, which they usually provide?

After they stopped laughing a such a silly question we got quick quotes from Jackie, Irene and Veronica:

Jackie "Definitely not for the pay or the holidays. I got roped in by Ros in a weak moment on a historical trip. Seriously, I enjoy the camaraderie, learn something new each week, and it keeps me young."

Irene: "I had some spare time and, living locally, it just seemed like a good idea. After a few weeks I realised that I thoroughly enjoyed reading aloud to someone other than my grandchildren and something more intelligent than Postman Pat.The jury is still out, of course, on whether my "friends" on the team or my grandchildren are the more intelligent "

Veronica: "My other main interest is hillwalking and this makes an excellent contrast. Out on the hills it is the solitude I enjoy (I was a teacher for many years which may explain this) but the involvement in a team and working for other people is the attraction for me."

The team is delighted to have clocked up 250 editions and are happily anticipating reaching the 500 mark before any of them retire. After all, they are agreed that this is as much fun as you can have without taking your clothes off!