The Torch Trust for the Blind celebrated its fiftieth anniversary this month (June 2009). A series of special events are being held throughout 2009 to mark the 50th anniversary and Norwich TFG will be hosting the Torch Choir as part of the celebrations on October 10th
On the actual anniversary date of June 8, Torch staff, volunteers and supporters gathered for a Day of Prayer at Torch House in Market Harborough, Leicestershire. Torch supporters from around the country were able to listen and take part through a conference call phone-in for an hour in the middle of the day.
Torch’s Chief Executive Dr Gordon Temple said, ‘The day was one of thanksgiving to God for 50 years of growth and blessing – but it’s also been about the future. There’s much to be done to fulfil Torch’s aims to reach more people with sight loss. In this country alone, 100 people every day learn that they are losing their sight.’
1959 - 2009
The story began when Stella and Ron Heath opened their home to blind young men and women from a training school in Surrey. They were confronted with how difficult it was for blind people to be included in church life and to have access to the Bible and other Christian books. The Heaths learned braille and recruited volunteers to help them in the work of transcribing, later moving into making audio recordings. On June 8, 1959, they formally took over a magazine for blind people called The Torch and the formative trust behind it.
Under their pioneering and inspirational leadership, the work grew amazingly. Twenty years ago they expanded the work into Africa, setting up a braille production centre for African scriptures in Malawi. Today Torch Trust provides Christian literature for thousands of blind people and reaches into 100 countries. It also runs the largest Christian lending library in the UK for those with sight loss, with over 3,500 titles in a mix of braille, giant print and audio formats. Torch also supports over 120 fellowship groups for blind and partially sighted people around the UK, and puts on a programme of specialised holidays every year from its own holiday and retreat centre in Sussex.
