Hi all,

just thought I'd post some updates on the Guide Cats CD, as it garners more funds for the BCAB, and hopefully makes a megastar of Mrs Ackroyd's master.

The Gerry Anderson show on BBC Ulster continues to champion Detritus, playing it virtually every second day on his Monday to Friday schedule. You can now visit www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland to check out the playlists. Because of the demand this has generated, some people have complained to the programme that they've contacted RNIB Belfast to find out more, but they hadn't heard of the album. I've corrected this, and if you're in Belfast, you will soon be able to drop in to 40 Linenhall Street and buy the CD direct from there. But as Gerry says: 'The album should be available everywhere, so if your shop says they can't get it, it means they can't be bothered, so keep on at them. The Catalogue number is OSMOCD020/021 on the Osmosys lable." When you buy from RNIB Belfast, £8 will go to the British Computer Association of the Blind, and £2 to RNIB Belfast, so you support two charities in one. You can also drop in to the RNIB's London offices at 105 Judd Street and buy it there. Note that neither of the RNIB branches can currently sell by Mail Order.


B C A B are still working to get online credit card payment facilities, but in the meantime, if you want to pay by Credit Card, you can do so by phoning Techno-vision Systems Ltd during office hours on 01604 792777, or by emailing info@techno-vision.co.uk. Techno-vision systems are one of the country's leading suppliers of computer access hardware and software for blind and partially-sighted people. They don't normally sell records, but they've stepped in to help the Association.   

The CD has now sold well in excess of 1000 copies, raising more that ten thousand pounds to kick start a computer awareness days project to benefit present, and with any luck an increasing number of future blind computer users.

As a postscript, if there are any other visually-impaired Mudcatters out there, you might like to know that as from the Jan/Feb edition, it is expected that Folk Roots will be available from the Talking Newspaper Association of the UK. The latest edition contains a joint review of Guide Cats and the Mrs Ackroyd Band album, Yelp.

Best,
Clive