IT’s the start of a new chapter in Newquay following the successful launch of a new audio book club for blind and partially sighted booklovers.

A group of seven blind and visually impaired people met at Newquay Library for the inaugural meeting where they introduced themselves, discussed their favourite authors and books, and chose their first book to read as a club.

The new club was started by iSightCornwall member and trustee, Beatrix Love who wished to create a club where people were brought together by their interests rather than just their sight loss.

She said: “I wanted an in-person group where we can support each other and talk about our love of books and gather around a similar subject rather than just sort of meeting up just because we’re blind.

“I’ve always been a massive booklover and since I lost my sight, I found that the Talking Books Service has given me such a lifeline, and I wanted to spread that to those people in my local area.”

The book club will be using the RNIB’s Talking Books Service which is a free service for blind and partially sighted people that sends audio versions of books through the post, via either a CD or a USB stick which can be played using a USB speaker.

Beatrix has set registered the book club with the Talking Book Service which means once a book is chosen, the CDs and USB sticks will be sent out to all of the members at once so even if someone misses a meeting, they can read the book.

The first meeting at Newquay library proved to be a big success with a good turnout, two members of the iSightCornwall team also attended to ensure the members were able to get set up with the Talking Book Service if they were not already registered, and to give a demonstration of the variety of USB and CD speakers available.

iSightCornwall Wellbeing Coordinator, Sophie Butcher, said: “It was a fantastic first meeting and we’re really pleased with how it’s gone. Hearing everyone share their own experiences and bond over a love of reading was lovely.

“A big congratulations to Beatrix for launching the club and a huge thank you to Newquay Library for being so accommodating. The club has been so successful that we’d love to launch similar clubs across Cornwall.”

The first book chosen by the Newquay Audio Book Club was The Dreaming Suburb by RF Delderfield which tells the story of a war veteran returning from the trenches to find his family and the life he knew has changed.

The club will next meet on Thursday, October 16 at 2pm in Newquay Library where they will discuss The Dreaming Suburb and choose a new book. The club will continue to meet on the third Thursday of each month.

For more information on the Newquay club, or if you’d like to enquire about setting up a similar club in your area, contact iSightCornwall on 01872 261110.