THE man who has steered Dyrons Journal, the Teignbridge Talking Newspaper for the visually impaired, through the pandemic has been recognised in the New Year’s Honours.

Brian Smith, from Newton Abbot, has been awarded the British Empire Medal for services to the community of Newton Abbot.

Hearing of his honour Brian said ‘I know it’s a cliché but I really don’t think I deserve this – or certainly no more than hundreds of other people who have gone the extra mile in one way or another over the past couple of years.

‘I’m very grateful to those – whoever they were – who took the trouble to nominate me but I think they should have nominated my wife, Barbara, who has put up with our dining room being used as a recording studio for the past 18 months or so!

‘Not to mention the other members of the team who have supported me during these difficult times. This is for all of them as well.’

The Talking Newspaper movement for the visually impaired started in the early 1970s with what is now the Farnham and Alton Talking News (FATN).

Brian, now aged 80, took up working with the Talking Newspapers in Farnham in 1998 after retiring as a civil servant, latterly with the Office for National Statistics.

After moving to Newton Abbot Brian became involved with the Dyrons Journal from 2014 and soon after became its chairman.

In February 1977 the Talking Newspaper was started in Newton Abbot. Because it was based at what used to be the Dyrons Youth Club – where the Leisure Centre is now – it has always been known as Dyrons Journal. They now add the sub-title ‘The Teignbridge Talking Newspaper’.

Brian’s predecessor, John Colley, was co-ordinator of the service for 34 years.

Each week the team carefully goes through the Mid-Devon Advertiser and Teignmouth Post to news edit and read out a series of stories.

‘We have a wonderfully supportive band of volunteers keeping the service going here in Teignbridge,’ he said.

‘I became involved with Talking Newspapers because I just love to read and couldn’t bear the thought of losing my sight and not being able to read about what was going on in the world,’ explains Brian.

Brian is also a trustee at Channingswood Prison, Newton Abbot, where he is delighted to be involved with the Storybooks Dad project which helps prisoners record bedtime stories and messages for their children on CD or DVD.

Prior to the pandemic Brian and the team used the Boardroom at the Mid-Devon Advertiser’s head office in Newton Abbot to news edit and record the Talking Newspapers.

Editor Nick Knight said: ‘Everyone at the Mid-Devon Advertiser is delighted to see Brian’s work with the Talking Newspaper being honoured in this way.

‘Apart from a short break when we were all locked down, Brian has maintained this incredibly valuable service for visually impaired people people in our community.

‘With quiet determination he has steadfastly continued the work from his own home to get his news service out. We hope when we move into our new offices in the New Year he can get back to service as usual.

‘We congratulate Brian and his team on this fantastic and well deserved recognition.’