Torch celebrated 50 years of service this month

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.

Want to keep up to date with the work of the Torch Trust throughout the UK and overseas?

A special Golden Anniversary edition of Torch Family News is now available for distribution from the Norwich Torch Fellowship.

If you would like to be sent a copy of the Golden Anniversary edition of the Torch Family News, please e-mail us with your postal address

Louis Braille Bicentenary Celebration 21st March 2009

Over 450 people, the majority visually impaired and from all over the UK, celebrated the 200th anniversary of Louis Braille's birth at a special church service held in St Martin in the Fields Church, Trafalgar Square, London on Saturday 21st March 2009.

The service, which is one of a number of events being held throughout 2009 to commemorate the life of Louis Braille, was led throughout by Braille users accompanied by blind musicians.

Afterwards, visitors were able to view an exhibition of braille resources provided by Compass Braille, Torch Trust for the Blind, the Association of Church Braillists, the Bible Society and the Royal National Institute for the Blind

Braille enables blind people to read using a system of six dots embosssed into thick paper.

Our chairman, Mervyn Ivany is shown above standing in front of St Martin in the Fields Church prior to attending the service.

Christian Resources Catalogue

The Torch Trust have just released the third edition of their "Christian Resources from Torch Trust" Catalogue.

The catalogue lists a range of items which the Torch Trust has produced for blind and partially sighted people and is designed to assist those who have wanted to help blind and partially sighted contacts obtain Christian material. The list includes some books, leaflets,resources for churches, greetings cards and promotional items.

If the recipient is registered blind or partially sighted, and provided that any printed matter is at least 16 point or greater then Torch accessible media can be sent via Royal Mail through "Articles for the Blind" free post. This type of order is best placed direct with Torch by the disabled person.

If accessible articles are being ordered along with printed materials or promotional items for delivery to the church, christian group or individual supporter, then a delivery charge will be incurred.

To request a catalogue for your church or group or to find out what is available to blind and partially sighted Christians who are based in the area, please contact us in the first instance.