Who we are

Harrow Talking Newspaper for the blind (HTN) is a voluntary organisation and registered charity that produces a weekly news audio-recording for sight-impaired people living in or around the London Borough of Harrow. Produced by volunteers, it has been running continuously since 1975 and is entirely free to qualifying listeners.

The main focus is on local news since, unlike non-metropolitan areas, there are no truly local audio media - local radio stations and TV tend to be Londonwide. 60 minutes of news recordings, based on newspapers, magazines (local and national) and the content of Harrow Online are produced on Wednesday evenings.  They reach the listeners by free post within the next couple of days.

HTN also includes information from the local authority's bi-monthly magazine Harrow People, together with occasional information sound-leaflets. Most issues of the news recording also piggyback HTN Extra, which includes the BBC's In Touch and specialist TNF Soundings recordings for the blind.

All recordings have been digital from May 2012, offering improved sound quality and greater editorial flexibility. The recordings are issued on memory sticks and listeners are supplied with a digital player if they need one.  It is now also possible to listen to HTN using the British Wireless for the Blind Fund mobile phone apps and Web Player which is also available on this website.

HTN is affiliated to the Talking News Federation.

The registered charity number is 270042.