Winchester’s longest-running audio newspaper marked its 34th annual gathering this Thursday in Little Memorial Hall, where chairman John Richards delivered a stark message amid the celebration: the organisation’s lifeblood is vanishing.
Richards, speaking before a room of volunteers and guests, confirmed the charity remains financially stable but faces a critical shortage of human resources. “We’re operational, we’re grateful, but we’re running on fumes,” he said. The charity’s historic partnership with the Hampshire Chronicle, now in its third year, has ensured uninterrupted delivery—save for the occasional postal delay. Saturday mornings still see yellow wallets slide through letterboxes nationwide, carrying the week’s news in spoken form.
Key Points
- ✅ 65 listeners rely on weekly audio editions
- ⚡ Only 40 volunteers currently active across all roles
- 💡 One-off reading commitment: just once every five weeks
The AGM heard that listener feedback remains overwhelmingly positive, with many urging no changes to the service. Yet behind the praise lies a harsh reality: volunteers age, move away, or step back, and replacements are not keeping pace. Richards made a direct appeal: “Everyone here knows a thousand people. One of them could be the next reader, editor, or studio hand.”
| Role | Current Vacancies | Time Commitment |
|---|---|---|
| Reader | 12 | 2 hours every five weeks |
| Editor | 3 | Flexible, editorial meetings monthly |
| Audio Technician | 2 | Weekly two-hour shift |
Richards also flagged that the charity’s seasonal magazine, once a quarterly staple, has fallen into abeyance. A new editor is urgently needed to revive the publication, which once provided deeper feature coverage for listeners. “It’s not just about keeping the news flowing—it’s about keeping the conversation alive,” he said.
💡 Pro Tip
If you’re considering volunteering but unsure about time, start as a guest reader. The charity runs trial sessions every Tuesday at 7pm in the Hampshire Chronicle studio—no long-term commitment required.
Honorary treasurer Peter Liddiard confirmed the charity’s finances are robust despite an unexpected £8,000 repair bill for studio equipment last winter. Surplus funds remain healthy, he said, but warned against complacency. “We’re not in crisis—yet. But every volunteer hour not filled is a risk we can’t afford to take.”
📋 By The Numbers
- 34 years — Since the charity’s founding in 1990
- £8,000 — Unexpected repair cost covered without pausing service
- 19 — Volunteers who have retired or moved away in the last 12 months
The afternoon concluded with a talk by Keith Hatter, a visual arts accessibility consultant, who demonstrated how tactile and audio descriptions can unlock galleries for those with sight loss. His message resonated with the room: inclusion isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. As the tea was served, Richards lingered by the door, nodding to departing volunteers. “We’re not asking for heroes,” he said quietly. “We’re asking for people who can spare an hour every now and then. That’s all it takes.”
- 📊 65% of listeners are over 75, making volunteer retention even more urgent
- 🔍 The magazine hiatus began in 2022 after the last editor relocated
- ⚠️ Postal delays now affect 8% of weekly deliveries, up from 3% in 2021
To volunteer or learn more, contact the charity directly via its listed landline—no website, no sign-up forms, just a voice on the other end ready to guide you in.