Since 1975, Elmbridge and Runnymede Talking Newspaper has supplied a weekly digest of local news to sight and print impaired people in the area.

For almost all of this time, they had the use of a small room in Weybridge Hospital – both the original building and the one in Church Street, destroyed by fire in July last year.

All the recording equipment was lost, together with files and furniture and the many awards received during their long service to the community.

The offer of a room at the Orchard Centre in Chertsey was welcomed and the Talking Newspaper resumed production of the weekly recordings in October.

They requested a formal lease from Runnymede Borough Council.

However, at a meeting last week, the Community Services Committee approved a proposal to move the council’s Green Spaces team into the offices at the Orchard and the Talking Newspaper is again having to find a new room.

Chairman Jonathan Fisher (who is blind) said: “This is a most disappointing development, as the room at the Orchard was the right size for our operation.

"Thanks to generous contributions from the public and various organisations, including the recent donation raised by Tesco ‘Bags of Help’ we managed to equip our studio and replace all the equipment lost in the fire.

"The service offered by the Talking Newspaper is greatly valued by all its sight impaired listeners, and recently care homes in the area and the Dementia Centre have been receiving the recordings, which serve to keep dementia and stroke patients in touch with life in the local area."

The Talking Newspaper volunteers are actively seeking somewhere in the area as soon as possible in order to move out of the Orchard.

If you think you may be able to help, please contact Alison Dacomb (adacomb1@gmail.com or phone 0208 398 1611) or ring the helpline on 01784 435622.