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Crowthorne Women's Institute calls for hearing loop because members cannot hear meetings

By Becky Barnes
November 06, 2012

A community group which has brought together women in the village for 92 years says it is losing members because they are unable to hear at meetings.

Crowthorne Women’s Institute (WI) is calling upon Crowthorne Parish Council to install a hearing loop at the Morgan Centre in Wellington Road, but has been told it is not a priority.

Secretary Sylvia Smallbone, 75, from Crowthorne said: “Hearing is a major issue as our members are in their 60s to their 90s. Members are leaving because they can’t hear.

“I am most surprised the parish council did not see it as a disabled issue.”

The WI wrote to the parish council after three members left in two years and others are unable to enjoy the talks and singing put on each month.

Sylvia, who has lived in the village since 1974, said: “We were told ‘sorry you can’t have it and you have to pay £100 to have a PA system’.

“We can’t afford £100 a year.

“The WI is the essential meeting place for original Crowthorne people, a place to have homemade cake and afternoon tea. We feel very strongly a hearing loop must be installed.”

Sylvia said the WI has been ‘putting pressure’ on the parish council for two years but has been told they can’t do it before refurbishments and redecoration.

She added the WI has been told it will cost around £2,000 to £3,000 to install a comprehensive PA system.

She said: “We can’t get enough money together, but we feel it is so essential.

“It is a public place hired out for meetings and yet they’re not willing to do it.

“They have a ramp and disabled toilets and special doors. We feel quite strongly about it – there should be a hearing loop too.”

The 40 members meet at the Morgan Centre as there is a two-hour parking limit at Crowthorne Parish Hall.

They have been fundraising for a hearing loop and have raised around £500 through bring and buy sales.

Sylvia said: “It is no mean feat. Our members also pay a membership fee.”

Adele Swadling, Crowthorne Parish Council clerk, said: “The WI wrote to us and asked us to obtain on their behalf quotes to put in a hearing loop system at the Morgan Centre.

“The parish council is looking at installing a hearing loop as part of refurbishments but due to funding problems there are other priorities such as redoing the toilets.

“We have not budgeted for the hearing loop within this financial year, but it is something we are looking at.”

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#timwinstanley

Bit like ostriches then.

parlovero, reading
09/11/2012 at 11:11

The fine people of Crowthorne are indeed the very model of dignity and integrity - unlike those heathens from Wokingham and Reading.

It is indeed to Tim's credit that as His Honorable Worship for Crowthorne he has been able to hold back the tide of filth and smug-mongering from these very ne'er-do-wells who sully the clouds and soil with their despondent and haughty airs.

Winstanley, Bracknell
08/11/2012 at 17:47

Excitable lot these Crowthornians then. Unfortunately I was otherwise engaged so it must have been anybody else.

parlovero, reading
08/11/2012 at 17:04

I think you will find that your name is Parlovero not Parlevo too Parlevo.

Crowthorne was excited Tuesday simply because you passed through it. Do not underestimate your importance.

Timothy Jefferies
08/11/2012 at 14:52

#timwinstanley

I bow to your knowlege he is apparently indeed the Yorkshireman not the dog but i don't spend my time watching childrens television so i am not an expert.

I think you will find that your quote is Latin not Italian. My quote is illigitimi nil carborundum and i stick by it. You still haven't said what excited Crowthorne so much last Tuesday.

parlovero, reading
08/11/2012 at 14:44

My name really is Timothy Jefferies and I really am the self appointed Mayor of Crowthorne. As a famous Italiian once said:

"Vah! Denuone Latine loquebar? Me ineptum. Interdum modo elabitur"

Timothy Jefferies
08/11/2012 at 12:37

Wallace is the Yorkshire man in question and it's just his name - so wrong again.

Nom de plume - Pen name

Nom de guerre - War name

You're not wrong because you hold different views or opinions - blimey what a dreadful bore it would be if we all thought the same.

As CP Scott, legendary editor of The Guardian, is quoted as saying "Comment is free, but facts are sacred"

Winstanley, Bracknell
08/11/2012 at 11:57

#timwinstanley

What exciting thing happened in Crowthorne last Tuesday at 10.54. I'm all agog to know what could cause such interest.

If I'm wrong on so many fronts because i hold a different view to you then i am delighted that is an accolade indeed.

Wallace was also an honourable man who fought all his life for his people. Today as a nom de guerre he is a cartoon dog belonging to a cheese eating yorkshireman.

parlovero, reading
08/11/2012 at 11:48

#I Speak True - I now see where I've gone wrong, because you're posts...now THAT is comedy. I can only admire the master at work and hope one day to aspire to the heights you've scaled in the service of humour.

p.s. - it's quite enjoyable to see how wrong you are on so many fronts. I'd be happy to meet with you to prove that Tim and I are indeed different people - but then if you followed these posts with any dilligence you'd recognise that. You're also incorrect about the nom de plume.

Winstanley is my nom de guerre - taken from the 17th Century radical Gerrard Winstanley. A man of brave conviction and fool-hardy dedication to the cause of freedom of spirit before man and god. And a dab hand at farming too.

Anyway - don't let me keep you from your Sudoku and custard creams.

Winstanley, Bracknell
08/11/2012 at 10:08

#timwinstanley

Grazie mille, lui e molto gentile. J'e parle aussi Francaise.

How slow of me not to realise you are one and the same person under two nom de plumes. The keeper and the parrot. Keep it up old beans you deserve yourself.