A devoted volunteer has been honoured for his nearly three decades of service.

Ed Turnbull, a key figure in the Tynedale Talking Newspaper (TTN), has been celebrated for his 30 years of dedication to the charity.

The TTN, a volunteer-run service, provides free weekly recordings of the Hexham Courant’s main news items, along with articles from The Northumbrian magazine or TTN's own interest magazine, mainly for the visually impaired.

Mr Turnbull, who was the first point of contact for listeners as Registrar, was recognised for his digital, technical, and problem-solving skills.

In 2021, he was awarded the Hexham Courant’s Bouquet of the Week for his services to the TTN.

His focus on the quality and reliability of the TTN’s weekly recordings helped keep the charity at the forefront of recording technology.

During the Covid lockdowns, Mr Turnbull was instrumental in ensuring TTN listeners didn’t miss out on their weekly contact with local events and people.

He led the effort to record the Courant via Zoom, enabling TTN volunteers to continue their work from the safety of their homes.

As the charity’s Registrar, Mr Turnbull was the friendly and supportive voice for all TTN listeners.

He played a vital role in registering new listeners and delivering TTN’s free loan playback units.

A farewell social, made possible by a special donation from Tynedale Lions and hosted by Hexham’s Albert Edward Club, saw key past and present TTN volunteers pay tribute to Mr Turnbull’s 30 years at the heart of the charity’s activities.

His 'technical skills, generosity with his time, and dedication to TTN’s service to its listeners' were praised by all.