THE Manager and volunteers at Borders Talking Newspapers were making the news recently when they were filmed for an upcoming edition of Border Life on ITV Border Scotland.

Presenter Emma Baker and cameraman Iain Forsyth visited BTN’s premises in Duns to film the production of a talking newspaper from start to finish then went on to Hawick to speak to a listener.

The programme is scheduled to be broadcast in February.

BTN produces a weekly audio digest of local newspapers across the Borders, except the Peeblesshire News which is covered by another organisation in Peebles.

Most of the work is done in the Duns studio but, to fit with production schedules, another team works in Hawick to record the Hawick News.

BTN is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation, registered no SC020192, governed by a Board of Trustees and depending on its pool of around 70 volunteers to maintain its record of continuous production over 23 years.

The recordings are sent on data sticks to listeners who are visually impaired or cannot read papers for other reasons. It can also be heard online at www.btn.org.uk where there is more information about the service.

As with all charities, funding is always needed and BTN raises money in various ways. There is a monthly draw, costing £24 per year, with a prize of £50; this is open to anyone who might want to support BTN’s work. BTN Enterprises offers a service of recording any type of material to help public bodies, businesses and other charities to meet equality requirements. BTN is also grateful to listeners who give donations and charitable Trusts who give grant funding.

If you would like to know more about BTN, maybe to become a volunteer and learn some new skills or to be a listener, contact manager Wendy Moss on 01361 884206 or office@btn.org.uk.