A dedicated volunteer of 26 years at a service that brings the news into the lives and homes of visually impaired people and those who cannot read newspapers read her last article last week.

Angela Sargent first started volunteering at the Epsom and Ewell Talking Newspaper after seeing the positive impact it had on her blind mother.

The newspaper compiles a weekly selection of news from national papers and local sources – including your Epsom Guardian – and distribute them to blind and visually-impaired people on their mailing list.

Angela gradually got to know the newspaper’s team of volunteers after her mother moved to Swail House in Ashley Road, Epsom – which offers supported housing for blind and partially sighted people – in summer 1969 after the death of her husband.

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Swail House is also where the talking newspaper records its weekly transmissions.

Angela found out they were looking for volunteers and jumped at the chance to get involved.

“26 years later, here I still am,” she said.

Throughout her 26 years Angela has seen the ‘newspapers’ move from cassette to CD to memory sticks. The service currently has about 130 listeners and is also offered to people who cannot access or hold newspapers or magazines – people with multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s, for example.

About 30 members of staff and listeners, along with Mayor of Epsom and Ewell George Crawford to bid Angela farewell after she recorded her last ‘newspaper’ on Thursday, October 6.

Cllr Crawford paid tribute to Angela. He said: “Doing anything as a volunteer now is absolutely amazing.

“People just don’t have the time, or say they don’t have the time to do it.

“But we all know the huge satisfaction you get from it.

“The fact that Angela has done this for 26 years is amazing!”

Chairman Judy Sarssam, who herself is visually impaired, presented Angela with a bouquet of flowers and a voucher for afternoon tea for two at The Grumpy Mole in Tadworth.

“She has been a stalwart: quiet, efficient, always ready to help,” she said.

“Whenever something went slightly wrong, Angela was there.

“Volunteers like her are gold dust.”

She added: “The voices of the readers come into your life and into your home and they are friends.

“Angela’s voice is a friend that will be much missed.”

Angela said: “It’s enjoyable working here and it provides a good service.

“There is a very happy atmosphere here. It’s given me a new perspective on life, I guess “I’m going to miss it.”

Volunteers at the Epsom and Ewell Talking Newspaper will be collecting donations towards the ongoing cost of the service in The Ashley Centre on Thursday, October 27.