LISTENERS to Ilkley Talking Newspaper were deprived of their recordings from The Gazette for several weeks, due to the Covid-19 crisis.

This was because of the necessary lockdown of Abbeyfield Grove House, where Ilkley Talking Newspaper’s studio is located.

However, Ilkley resident Ruth McBain spotted a letter in The Gazette explaining the situation, and she mentioned this to her friend Katie Rand. Katie and Jon Rand are professional voice-over artists with studios in Leicester Square, London, and here in Ilkley.

Katie kindly approached Ilkley Talking Newspaper and suggested making the weekly recordings in their home studio.

The offer was,of course, gratefully accepted and now sight impaired listeners are once again in touch with their local news.

Talking Newspaper lead technician, Steve Amos, said: “Katie and Jon’s work is of superb quality.

“It is obvious that they are a voice- over company. Their voices are beautifully clear with a friendly feel to their intonation.

“It is a great treat to use such professional quality recordings, and I am sure our listeners are delighted!”

This is certainly born out by the feedback from some of those listeners, with comments like ‘so kind’, ‘so professional’, ‘unbelievable’, ‘unexpected - a lovely surprise’, ‘wonderful’.

Katie herself told us: “ Voice-overs can’t save lives like the wonderful individuals in the NHS, but we can read out loud!

“It’s great to be useful!”

Would you, or anyone you know, benefit from receiving free CD recordings from this newspaper?

This might be for reasons of sight loss, because of physical difficulties in handling a newspaper or problems with concentration when reading.

If so, please contact Susan (01943 609040)