On this page we will be posting profiles of members of the committee and volunteers. This will help explain more about what we do and give some personal information about the Sound East team. We hope that you enjoy reading about us and find it interesting!
Sound East started production in April 1979. I joined the association early in 1980 having seen a letter in The Journal from the then Chairman, Charles Cudmore. We were then based at the old Briar Clyffe School on Gunton Cliff, but we have moved several times over the years. I am coming to the end of my 29th year as Chairman. In that time I have seen Sound East through two major moves. Firstly from Pakefield to 23 Milton Road East, and around nine years later, after a successful application to The Big Lottery Fund, we gained ownership of and moved into our current home at 88 Alexandra Road.
In my time I have worked my way up through the ranks, at some time doing all of the jobs that are part of producing a talking newspaper. I have been editor for yellow news team for more years than I can remember! I oversaw the major change from analogue to digital production when we stopped using cassette tapes and started recording using a lap-top computer and producing USB memory sticks. I meet with the treasurer each week and generally keep a check on the equipment and the overall running of The Association. I also produce our monthly Magazine edition.
I served as a Police Officer in Lowestoft and on the Traffic Unit from 1960 to the end of 1985, then worked for D.V.L.A. for 15 years retiring in 2001, then returning after 18 months to work two days a week for another three-and-a-half years. I married my wife, Wendy, who is also a volunteer, in 1962. We have a grown up son and daughter, two grandchildren, two step grandchildren and two step great grandchildren.
Volunteers are always needed for the various jobs that have to be done, so if you are reading this perhaps give a thought to joining us. An application form is available to download from this website.
At the age of 27 I started my service as recordist with Sound East when we produced our very first production on Friday 20th April 1979. The Editor for that issue was Charles Cudmore. The other readers on that evening were John Doveton-Scott and John Easter. (Unfortunately, Evelyn Dunster was unable to read as originally planned, having suffered the onset of a cold). The Lowestoft Lions Club President, Mr. "Wally" Kelly read a suitable introduction.
At our first annual general committee meeting, held on 14th November that same year, Charles was elected as Chairman, John Doveton-Scott as Secretary, Mrs Treece as Treasurer and John Easter as Public Relations Officer. I was elected as "Technical Manager". Other Ordinary committee members elected at that same meeting were Iris Douce, Evelyn Dunster, Pat Turner, Mr. Stevenson, Chris Collis, Dolly Ling, Peter Greenfield and Anne Wilcox. Mr. Peter Platts and Mr. Wally Kelly were co-opted as committee members.
As a charity, we have organised a number of events both to raise funds and to raise local awareness. As an example, In August 1980 my wife and I decorated our MG Midget sports car with balloons and added some graphics to represent an audio cassette player and entered the Lowestoft Carnival procession. Our 8 month old son was also in the car.
He has been a helper with us at Sound East on a number of occasions since then. He is now 43yrs old.
I have continued my voluntary work with Sound East for the last 44 or so years. Indeed, most of the "pioneers" of the organisation have either moved on or have now passed away! I still view myself as a relative youngster at 71 years old!