The Talking News Federation (TNF) were delighted to welcome The Blind Baker, Penny Melville-Brown, as guest speaker at their Annual Conference Gala Dinner. The aim of the dinner, as always, was to bring together much-valued Talking Newspaper volunteers to enjoy sharing tasty food whilst exchanging ideas and developing ongoing positive networks.
Penny is a regular contributor to Talking News publications, generously recording dynamic audio of her baking recipes and methods for TNF’s nationwide membership. Her welcome strategies and enthusiastic encouragement are shared with listeners who may find reading independently difficult, perhaps through blindness.
The overarching result of Penny’s ebullient and amusing talk was her irrepressible disruption of many stereotypes of disability and any possible notion of underestimating people who are blind. Penny is an indomitable, living expression of her attitude that indeed, “blind people can do anything”.
During her engaging, upbeat talk Penny kindly presented TNF Chairman, Amanda Reed, with a beautiful pewter fruitcake miniature that Penny described she had handcrafted with great care and attention. The tiny details of Penny’s pewter cake reflect both her intricate modelling skills and her love of baking. In line with Penny’s suggestion, the delightful pewter cake will be annually awarded in recognition of a Talking Newspaper that demonstrates outstanding innovation through their audio publications. Alongside the fabulous pewter cake Penny generously gave a copy of her recent book, “A cook’s tour: Baking Blind goes global”, with permission to use its content in whatever way TNF deem fit. Of course, we look forward to recording and sharing excerpts from Penny’s prize-winning world tour with Talking Newspaper listeners!
We extend a huge thank you to Penny for her kind gifts and positive support for TNF, her inspirational contribution towards challenging assumptions about disability and being a wonderful ambassador in promoting innovation within Talking Newspapers.
Thank you Penny!