Wealden chairman congratulates Wealden Talking News on Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service

Wealden District Council chairman Ron Reed has visited Wealden Talking News to congratulate the organisation on being given the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to volunteer groups across the UK in recognition for the outstanding work they provide to local communities. It is the equivalent of an MBE and awarded for life.

Wealden Talking News is a long-established registered charity, which aims to keep anyone with a visual impairment in touch with their local community and their county by supplying free audio recordings. Weekly news recordings are sent to listeners in four areas of the Sussex Weald - Heathfield & District, Crowborough & Uckfield, Hailsham & Polegate, and Seaford & Newhaven.

Councillor Reed said, “I am proud to have been able to attend Wealden Talking News to congratulate them on the award and to meet with the trustees and volunteers. It is a great charity within Wealden which continues to provide a community with resources that would not otherwise be available.

“I want to thank the volunteers for the warm welcome. I thoroughly enjoyed recording the news and being part of the team for the morning.”

John Clemence, chairman of Wealden Talking News, said, “We were delighted to receive a visit from the Chairman of Wealden District Council, Councillor Reed on Friday 22nd of July. The workings of the Charity were explained and demonstrated, and Councillor Reed expressed both his appreciation and compliments to all involved in the production of the weekly Talking News output. Councillor Reed congratulated the Charity on the recent award of the ‘Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service."