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Talking newspaper celebrates landmark birthday

A talking newspaper in Greater Manchester is celebrating its 30th birthday.

The Trafford Talking News has been bringing the latest developments from the area using the Sale-based Messenger Series since 1979.

With the help of £5,000 donation from John Lewis it went digital last October.

Weekly news from the Messenger Series is recorded on memory sticks and sent to 100 blind and partially sighted people.


A ‘Stand up for Journalism’ comedy event is taking place next month.

Organised by the National Union of Journalists, it starts at 8pm on 5 July at the Bakers Vault, in Market Place, Stockport.

The union said it picked Stockport as the venue because of the recent office closure by parent company MEN Media.

Tickets are £5 or £3 for concessions on the night or in advance from NUJ Manchester on 0161 237 5020 or the Bakers Vault 0161 477 7312.


Emma Harpley, communications manager with the National Council for the Training of Journalists for the past 18 months, has left the post.

The former London Evening Standard sub-editor is taking on a new role as press secretary to Barbara Follett, the regional minister for the East of England, based in Cambridge.


The London Press club is hosting a networking event with award-winning Daily Mirror journalist Ryan Parry lined up as guest speaker.

Ryan became famous after infiltrating Buckingham Palace and securing work as a footman.

The event starts at 6.30pm on Wednesday at Shoreditch House. For details and to reserve a place call 0207 353 7086 or email [email protected]


Former Royston Crow editor Terry Grote received an OBE in the recent Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

Terry became editor of the Hertfordshire title in 1981 prior to which he had been deputy for two years.

He left the Archant paper in 1986 to become MD of the Capital newspaper group which was later bought by the Independent group.


The former online editor of music magazine Q is rejoining the Press Association as head of showbiz.

Anthony Barnes spent seven years with the news agency as a reporter before taking in a stint with the Independent on Sunday.