WITH its Arts and Crafts Victorian Gothic tower and the state of the art modern buildings, Hereford's Royal National School for the Blind was the scene for a visit from the Rotary Club of Ledbury. Organised by President Tony Knight whose Son, Andrew, studied at the College for three years, a group of 50 Rotarians and guests toured the facilities and met students and staff. The College provides opportunities for learning both academic and vocational programmes up to GCSE, AS/ A levels and Foundation, to include topics set out in the Education Department's national curriculum. Everything from learning a foreign language to Music and media technology and performing Arts and even massage and complementary therapies have ensured the college's residential facility is at full capacity. In addition, the College offers independent living skills for life training and the visitors were able to see a range of gadgets and tools such as a flanged kettle and cup in order that a simple tasks such as making a cup of tea without scalding is possible to a non sighted person. Particularly impressive was the IT laboratory. Computers are top of the range with Braille keyboards which activate audio responses, other monitors have large font to enable those who are visually impaired to be able to see the screens, and there are desk top publishing facilities for students to produce their own work. In the purpose built sports stadium, the football academy attracts external clients and the excellent facilities are available to hire for community and private groups. When the sports stadium were built, there had been hopes to have the Paralympics staged in the College. Rachel Beamont, who headed up the Accommodation, Welfare and Medical well being section told the group that they had recently been rated as Outstanding by OFSTED, for their success in offering new therapies to students who have other disabilities in addition to blindness or visual impairment. Teacher Caroline Peachy said that the College had a home from home atmosphere which gave students confidence and helped develop skills needed to move on after completing their courses. She added that this had also been the scene for several romances between the students and indeed at least two couples had married after leaving the college and were living full and happy lives, demonstrating that disabilities can be overcome.

The College Principal, Sheila Tallen said the College was now truly International attracting students from the Middle East, such as Qatar and from Europe, yet despite the success, as with all organisations, the recession has meant a reduction in donations. She said how grateful she was to the Rotary Club of Ledbury for its pledged support this year as it is the chosen charity of President Tony Knight. She invited everyone to attend the Fashion show planned for December 6 as this was something of which the Student's were very proud having suggested and organised it themselves. Details can be found on the Royal National College for the Blind Website. Tony Knight responded by thanking Sheila and her team for the excellent visit of the college and its impressive range of facilities, saying that the RNCB must be ranked as unique in what it offers to help those with a range of disabilities in addition to sight impairment. He said that throughout this, his presidential year, he was fully committed to raising funds to assist the College.

JAN LONG.