Ref. 29343-38A TAPED newspaper for people who have problems reading print has celebrated its 1,000th issue.

The Swindon and District Talking Newspaper Association Stan has relayed local news, features and comment to a growing number of readers throughout its 22 year history.

And, fittingly, the year of its 1,000th edition coincides with the Evening Advertiser's 150th birthday, as its history is linked with the Advertiser.

The Advertiser has backed it every step of the way the local news, occupying side one of each 90- minute tape, is taken from the paper.

Side two includes magazine items covering everything from local history to thoughts for the day, as well as regular advice on issues affecting people with vision problems.

The 1,000th issue is being marked with a special bonus tape, which listeners can keep, looking back at memorable stories and features over more than two decades.

Stan chairman Mike Wood, 59, said: "We started off with 60 listeners but now we have about 220."

Publicity officer Chris Scott, 71, said: "A lot of people have worked very hard over the years to bring us to where we are today."

The service costs £5,000 a year to run, despite being granted free postage by the Post Office and a free headquarters in the Victoria Road building of the Swindon branch of the Wiltshire Blind Association. That £5,000 comes entirely from voluntary donations.

It costs listeners nothing to receive the weekly tape and small tape recorders are also available on free permanent loan for listeners who do not possess such equipment.

Each edition is recorded on a Wednesday and, once listeners have played the tapes they send them back in sturdy yellow wallets.

Each new edition is then recorded over the last and tapes generally last for about 60 editions before they have to be replaced.

There are three producers and 40 readers and presenters, all volunteers. One of the producers, Mike Beale, 64, of Stratton St Margaret, has been with Stan from the start.

The organisation was the idea of a man called Jerry England, who died some years ago. Mr England was registered blind and subscribed to various taped publications.

Mr Beale said: "He heard a tape from a talking newspaper in Dunfermline, in Scotland, and believed if Dunfermline could do it, Swindon could do it."

At a public meeting in Swindon in late 1981, Stan was born. Early tapes, which were issued fortnightly, were made in the attic of a supporter called Shirley Lawrence, a BBC Wiltshire radio station secretary later to become better known as presenter Shirley Ludford.

Recording had to be suspended whenever anybody in the house used the bathroom.

Mr Beale said: "The first tape went out in April 1982 and was sent to roughly 60 listeners."

The attic remained STAN's base for about a year before two rooms at the organisation's current base were offered. This has since expanded to four rooms, including a dedicated recording studio.

Another producer, Jane Hill, of Rodbourne Green, said: "I once walked up Regent Street with a tape recorder shortly before Christmas, describing the window displays and recalling where some of the old shops used to be.One lady said she had been housebound for 10 years, but it had been as if she had done the walk with me."

Donations, sponsorship and inquiries from volunteers and potential listeners are welcome. Call 01793 522511. Would-be volunteers are advised to check the website www.swindontalkingnews.org.uk to find out details of what is required.

Barrie Hudson