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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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The WI ladies say they want a hearing loop but I have it on good authority that in fact they are seeking an enormous PA rig with which to party like they just don't care as the Crowthorne Hustlers Soundsytem.

I caught them at Carnival this year and they certainly gave Norman Jay a run for his money - especially when they dropped Bass Fist by Baron Skanky.

Phat!

winstanley , Mitt Romney's Gimp Dungeon
06/11/2012 at 11:49

A portable hearing loop solution is surely the answer here. Money's tough, so why the desire to splash out on a state of the art loop prior to the building being refurbished? A cheaper/smaller solution for the limited number of hard of hearing members, no?

Paul Daniels' reattached finger.
06/11/2012 at 11:11

Messing with the WI will have serious consequences! mark my words....

Timothy Jefferies
06/11/2012 at 11:06

This is very much a disability issue and i believe the Parish Council could be taken to task over it. The disabilities legislation for public building clearly states that it is the responsibility of owners of public buildings to ensure the faciltity is suitable for those with disabilities. If the toilets are a higher priority have they been made accessible for wheelchair users? Is there a ramp or level access for wheelchairs? A loop system is as important as any of these but sadly those who are not deaf or know the problems caused by it do not seem to care.

The RNID have a lot of very useful equipment available for individuals such as personal loop systems. I would suggest asking the RNID to get involved now.