Did you know there are more statues of animals in Edinbugh than Women? 

Theatre company F-bomb have a new theatre show dedicated to women who made the city, including a visually impaired saint.

Amelia learns more from writer and founder of Visually Impaired Creators Scotland (VICS)

Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font. 

Would you like to learn all about East Lothian Messenger Talking News? Well, Jennifer Murray chats to Veronica Wallace to find out more.

You can contact Veronica Wallace on either of the following phone numbers:

Landline:

01368830363

Personal Mobile:

07879870232

Image description:

Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font.

Something for the Weekend highlights the best in accessible audio content each week. Hear Hannah Sweeney's picks of unmissable content here.

Image description:

Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font.

What would be your first snack after running a marathon?

Amelia spoke to Caroline who just completed the London marathon to raise money for RNIB about her experience…

Learn more about running for RNIB next year here - Run the London Marathon 2026 for RNIB | RNIB

Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font. 

On 8 May 1945, after almost six years of brutal war, Germany finally surrendered to the Allies, and Victory in Europe was declared.

'VE Day 80: After the Darkness’ is a new Blind Veterans UK online exhibition featuring the extraordinary first-hand accounts from a number of Blind Veterans who were there on the day. Each story is also accompanied by a wonderful illustration by award-winning Artist and Illustrator Martin Impy which is also described on the website too. 

RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey caught up with Martin to firstly find out about his own family’s experiences of WWII and VE-Day along with any previous connections he may have had with Blind Veterans UK.

Then Martin talks about his illustrations for VE Day 80: After the Darkness and how he worked on the illustrations for Blind Veteran Derrick and Matt’s stories that feature in the online exhibition.

Derrick was a pilot during WWII, shot down over Italy and by taking a wrong turn ended up being captured, spending over a year as a Prisoner of War and forced to march across Germany in freezing conditions.  

Matt was serving with the SAS behind enemy lines in Italy and no grand announcements or celebrations for him on VE Day.

The audio clips from VE-Day 80: After the Darkness and Martin’s illustration have been included with the kind permission of Blind Veterans UK and by Martin Impy. 

You will find all of the Blind Veterans UK first hand VE Day stories along with Martin’s wonderful illustrations by visiting - https://www.blindveterans.org.uk/news-stories/ve-day-80-after-the-darkness/

And for more about Martin, his work and his new illustrated book ‘BLITZ One Family's War’ then do visit his website - https://martinimpey.com

If you, or someone you know, served in the Armed Forces, including National Service, and are now struggling with sight loss, then do get in touch with Blind Veterans UK by calling 0800 389 7979 or visit their website - https://www.blindveterans.org.uk

Image shows Derrick standing in the foreground of a prisoner of war camp, calm but alert. Around him, fellow airmen mill about under the watchful gaze of a guard tower. There’s music, chatter and movement - but no certainty yet of what tomorrow will bring.

With technology advancing and volunteer numbers declining, Jennifer Murray chats to James Walton about the impact this is having on Bolton Newstalk.

You can visit Bolton Newstalk's website and listen to their podcasts. The link to Bolton Newstalk's website is:

Bolton Newstalk

They can be contacted by email at the following email address:

It is also possible to listen to the talking newspaper via phone. The paper is also available by calling 01204 226336, this service is for people who do not have internet access or a smart phone.

Image description:

Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font.

Goalball UK and The English FA have joined forces in the search for new female talent. Hywel Davies has been finding out about the ‘Female Futures’ programme. 

For more information on the programme, including how to take part - visit the Goalball UK website - Female Futures Programme – Goalball UK and The FA Para Football joint initiative! - Goalball UK

Have you ever wanted to get out on the water and try surfing? There’s a surf school in South Wales aiming to make catching waves more accessible than ever. Hywel Davies has been finding out about and event in Swansea this weekend.

For more information on Surfanility UK, visit their website - Adapted and inclusive surfing experiences - Surfability UK CIC

What is international dawn chorus day? How did May Day celebrations begin?

Amelia is here to fill you in with the May Almanac.

Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font. 

St Albans Cathedral is the oldest site of continual Christian worship in the country, from small pilgrim church to huge Abbey and Monastery, to parish church and Cathedral which has stood firm through Reformation, Civil War, Plagues, and Pandemics.

St Albans is the only Cathedral in the country to house two medieval pedestal shrines that belong to St Alban and St Amphibalus.  The Cathedral dates back 1700 years and is rich in history and traditions.  

So do join Toby for an audio described guided touch tour of St Albans Cathedral with VocalEyes trained Cathedral guide Helen Hughes to find out more about St Alban, his story and explore Many of the fascinating parts of the cathedral including St Albans Shrine, a statue of St George, the Watching Loft and much more besides.

For more about St Albans Cathedral and their guided audio described touch tours for blind and partially sighted people do either email [email protected], call the Cathedral on 01727 890 290 or visit the following pages of their website -

https://www.stalbanscathedral.org/Event/vip-guided-tour 

Image Shows an arial shot of the front of St Albans cathedral