Talking News Says Goodbye to Effe
Effe Barker, hailing from LA California, has been a Producer with HTN for over a year and sadly for us she is shortly to return to her homeland. Effe will be greatly missed as her role as a Producer is vital to the Talking News.
The articles for each edition of the Talking News are sourced by our Editors and Researchers. However: it is the Producer who knits these articles together. The Producer’s aim is for the edition to contain a varied and interesting selection of local news items, and helpful suggestions for our Visually Impaired Listeners. The Producer then oversees the recording at our studio at East Street in Havant. The following day the recording is copied and sent out to our Listeners by the distribution team.
Quite simply, without the Producer there is no Talking News.
Effe kindly agreed to write a short article on her experience of being a Producer with HTN. These are Effe’s Words:
“I feel needed and fortunate to help our blind and visually impaired neighbours in the Havant Borough. Through this work, I found purpose and inspiration to give my best each time we record audio news.
I am a Filipino-American broadcast journalist. In 2019, I moved from Los Angeles, California, to the U.K. with my English husband. We currently live in Waterlooville with my daughter, who is turning six in January.
It’s been a year since I began volunteering as an audio news producer for HTN. Time truly flies! And now I am at a new crossroads as we are moving back to the States for good. As I prepare for our move, I reflect on what has been the most fulfilling work of my life. Each fortnightly recording was full of joyful memories; the laughter sometimes mixed with tension, but it was always satisfying and rewarding.
Working for HTN made me realize that producing audio news stories for the blind is not like working at a regular television or radio. The stories that we produce are carefully crafted to meet the unique needs of people without sight.
As a former TV presenter at a multilingual channel in Los Angeles, I have undertaken a wide range of roles in the broadcast journalism industry, from working in radio to serving as a master control operator, correspondent, researcher, host, and producer for KSCI TV LA18, Southern California’s premier Asian television channel.
Reporting news stories of natural disasters such as hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, wildfires, mass shootings, or even business developments to the general public is far easier than reporting them to visually impaired audiences. Unlike television, where you have videos to help convey the story. However, audio news reporting demands more descriptions, and you have to carefully read and enunciate the words in a way that listeners can understand.
HTN is not just a regular news outlet or another non-profit organization supporting a cause — it is truly a community. Each edition is carefully organized with stories selected for listeners who rely on our news to navigate their surroundings, warn them of potential hazards, guide them to bus routes and schedules, inform them which stores are open and closed, and tell them how to get involved and make their voices heard on issues that matter to them.
This experience has sharpened my storytelling, attention to detail, and increased my empathy. Knowing that my work has made a difference gives me deep satisfaction. I will carry this sense of purpose with me when I return to the U.S., along with wonderful memories of HTN.
Now, as we move back to the States, I will surely miss working with my colleagues, but I will also carry with me the lessons and sense of belonging that I found here. This may be farewell, but it is not an ending — only a gentle turning of the page.”
Thanks Effe, great words; however, her departure leaves us with a hole to fill. We now have a desperate need for another one, if not two, producer(s). The work is a little challenging but very rewarding. If you feel you would like to give something of real value to your community then why not find out more. The commitment for each edition is short but quite intense. With our full complement of four Producers our Visually Impaired Listeners receive a fortnightly edition of the Talking News, that means you as a Producer would be in action once every 8 weeks.
The Talking News is also made available on our website and through Alexa
Give yourself an enjoyable and rewarding challenge. You can reach us on 02392 480101 , by leaving a message; or complete an application form.
Go on, give it a go!
You too can ‘produce’.
Pat Nunn Award
This award is named in honour of Pat Nunn, one of the earliest members of Havant Talking News. Pat was Chair and President, and was tireless in her commitment to, and enthusiasm for Havant Talking News. She gave talks to local groups, organised fund raising events, and so much more.
The award is presented annually to a volunteer who ‘goes above and beyond’ what is expected of him or her. This year we are pleased to present the award to Stuart Moore.
For Meritorious Service to HTN
In Memory of Pat Nunn, 1926-2016
Stuart joined us around 2013 and rapidly became heavily involved with the Talking News. He was a reader, a vital part of the engineering team and also took on the wonderfully titled role of ‘Webmaster’, and in the latter role became a committee member.
Not to be forgotten was his contribution during lockdown, giving generously of his time to refine each Talking News issue to maintain our standards
Previous Pat Nunn Award Winners
Stuart has a very distinctive soft and somewhat deep voice. I remember being at a Talking News gathering in St Faith’s Hall and being in conversation with one of our Listeners when she suddenly exclaimed “why, that’s Stuart Moore” – Stuart was in discussion with an adjacent group of people – “I would recognise that lovely voice anywhere!”
Stuart, thank you for all that you have done over the years and please accept this year’s Pat Nunn Award.
Peter Loveridge, Chair of Havant Talking News
The Website and Facebook have been and remain our window to the on-line world, enabling people to see what we do, to express i
Leisure Accessibility for Those Living With Sight Loss
West Sussex is fortunate to have a wealth of high quality theatres and cinemas, but for those living with sight loss, such a trip can be daunting, and the performance presents challenges in terms of appreciating everything that is happening on stage and screen. Thankfully, many venues support accessibility for the visually impaired with audio descriptive tours/performances, touch tours, bespoke times to visit and concessions.
For example, the nationally acclaimed Chichester Festival Theatre (CFT) offers audio description on certain performances and free bookable Touch Tours prior to an audio described performance. All seats have Braille signage, and Festival Season brochures are provided in large print, audio or a CD, plus cast lists in large print or braille. It also offers a Buddy Scheme with trained volunteers to meet you on arrival, help collect tickets and headsets; guide you to your seat, refreshments and toilets; and sit with you during the show.
01243 828 555
Enquiries
4sight.org.uk
The Hawth Theatre in Crawley, and Worthing Theatre and Museum offer an audio description service for selected shows, and the Hawth brochure is available online (audio), in large print, braille, and CD. The Chequer Mead Theatre in East Grinstead operates an Essential Companion Scheme for people who without the support of a Carer would not be able to visit, when you register you are entitled to a free Carer’s Ticket. Chequer Mead also operates a Buddy Scheme similar to the CFT. For cinema-goers, all Odeon cinemas offer a good selection of films with audio description and a free companion ticket.
These venues (which all welcome assistance dogs), are just some examples of the support available. It is important to contact your chosen venue to plan a visit, as the booking process, logistics and concessions all vary. Please visit the venue’s website where phone and email contacts can be found.
