Fabulous volunteers from all over the UK gathered near Winchester last weekend for the annual conference of the national Talking News Federation. These are the stalwarts from local Associations who create audio recordings for people who have difficulty reading local…
We all remember the first three: Reading, wRiting and aRithmetic. But isn’t there another that is fundamental to life success: Rapport. Over many years, I’ve met many people with all the grades and qualifications that mark their intellect but still…
It’s been a couple of decades, I reckon, since I last joined the naval lawyers for their annual bash. I would have said “knees-up” but we are rather a more sedate and sober collection of serving and retired officers, with…
Recording more recipes for the national Talking News Federation just recently. They’ll distribute my versions of rough puff pastry, hot chocolate drink and yoghurt bread to local organisations across the country. Being blind doesn’t have to stop us making great…
Imagine this edited version of the BBC’s summary of Lady Justice Thirlwall’s report findings were written about vulnerable adult patients like you and me. My conclusion is: Many of us with life-changing health conditions, disabilities and other vulnerabilities aren’t against…
That disastrous hotel venture was only just over a week ago. It was all part of celebrating a niece’s wedding in the fabulous setting of Mount Edgecumbe, just across the river Tamar from Plymouth. It had never crossed my mind…
Last week, stayed with this hotel chain in Plymouth. The state of the entrance hall throughout our four day stay should have been enough warning of what was to come. Having booked an “accessible” room six months earlier, the…
The delicious rain is keeping us indoors but the sous-chef is busy: unpicking his miniature medals from their distinctly tatty ribbons for polishing and rehanging to wear at an imminent family wedding. Nowadays, one wonders how many people would face…
If, like me, you get books from RNIB, they’ve added an audio version of my first one to their list: “A cook’s tour: Baking Blind goes global”. It’s the tale of my prize-winning trip around the world, cooking in professional…
At last: the great handmade table fountain in action. This is the ceramic piece I made months ago thanks to BVUK and a local potter. Glazing inside the bowl stops the water permeating into the body which is roughly based…
