A very special CD of Christian songs and poems has been recorded by local man Peter Blackthorn Jones to raise funds for the Macclesfield Talking Newspaper for the Blind.  Described by Peter as “A personal journey of faith” the CD runs for one hour and comprises 16 poems and 10 songs, each with a strong Christian message.

Registered blind, and deaf, Peter is a member of Team Parish based at St. Michael’s and All Angels, and worships regularly at St. Peter’s in Macclesfield.

Peter says that he considered himself “a Christian with a small c” until the death of his wife Sue five years ago.  He recalls praying for her recovery, then for help to care for her, and finally praying for the strength to cope alone.  When Sue passed away he realised that the help he had prayed for had been given, which made his faith even stronger.  He became a committed Christian “with a capital C” and has since dedicated his life to helping others and spreading the Christian message.

He wrote his first poem 3 years ago after a church Safari Supper.  He couldn’t sleep and felt divine inspiration, the words just flowing into his head.  He says it is still the same.  He cannot just sit down and write; inspiration strikes at all sorts of times, often in the middle of the night. The words seem to come directly from God, and if they are destined to be a song rather than a poem, the tune comes with them.  He is certain that this gift has been given to him not just for himself, but to help others.

A chance conversation with Steve Twigg, a friend of many years led to the recording of the songs and poems.  Steve is Chief Recording Technician with the Macclesfield Talking Newspaper for the Blind , where he has been a volunteer for 12 years.  Using the facilities at the Talking Newspaper studio, it took nine recording sessions and a few hours of editing before the final version was complete, and they were pleased with the end result.

Peter is an enthusiastic listener to The Talking Newspaper which he says keeps him in touch with local events and issues, so he decided to offer his CD as a way of raising funds for the local charity close to his heart.  He will not profit personally from the project in any way

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Anyone interested in acquiring a copy of “Energised!!” in exchange for a minimum donation of £5, should phone the Macclesfield Talking Newspaper for the Blind on 01625 435283 or call at their office above The Eye Society shop and resource centre on Queen Victoria Street (opposite Aldi) on Thursday mornings only.