31st March 2019 - Norwich Talking Newspaper upgrades its service

Chatterbox, the Norwich Talking Newspaper, is now available in two new ways. Listeners who have Smart Speakers (Amazon Echo or Amazon Echo Dot) can ask Alexa to “Enable My Talking Newspaper”. They can then say “Alexa, ask My Talking Newspaper to play Chatterbox” and they will hear the latest edition.

In addition, anyone can now listen to Chatterbox over the phone. Just ring 01603 327789 to hear the latest edition. Normal call charges apply – but these days many people can call free for up to an hour at weekends or in the evening.

Initial listener response has been stunning. “Absolutely Brilliant” was one reaction. Another blind listener said: “It works well. What a great step forward for Chatterbox.”

David Potten, Chair of the Chatterbox management committee said “We do not expect that these new technologies will replace the USB memory sticks that we send to all our listeners every week. However, those listeners who do use one of the new systems will find that they have much more control over the recording – the can speed it up or slow it down, pause, change the volume or move between tracks. My Talking Newspaper also provides access to other magazines so listeners can hear much more than just their weekly Chatterbox.”

David also noted that at present some of the other recordings that Chatterbox provides every week will not be available to those listening on the phone or on smart speakers. “The very popular recordings of EDP Norfolk and Chatterbox Let’s Talk will not be available for the time being, but we hope to be able to add them in the future” he said. “They will of course still be provided to all our blind and visually impaired listeners on their regular memory sticks.”

Chatterbox always welcomes new blind or visually impaired listeners, who are provided with a free USB memory stick player and receive all Chatterbox recordings every week, free of charge. Anyone interested can contact Chatterbox at contact@cbtn.org.uk or leave a message on their Answerphone: 01603 765365

For Editors

Chatterbox’s 85 volunteers put together a recording of highlights from the Norwich Evening News every week and have now produced over 2040 editions. They also record EDP Norfolk and Let’s Talk every month, and produce their own Chataround magazine programme which is also distributed by several other Talking Newspapers and broadcast by Future Radio and on N&N Hospital radio. Chatterbox recordings go to about 500 blind and visually impaired listeners, mainly in the Norwich area.

Contact: David Potten, Chair, Chatterbox Trustees:

Home: 01603 304216

Mobile: 07733 664270

Email: davidpotten@compuserve.com

Website: www.cbtn.org.uk