Sussex charity stalwart remembered as 'cheerful, funny and positive' – the fount of knowledge for Sussex Coast Talking News
Tributes have been paid to a 'cheerful, funny and positive' Sussex charity stalwart, who supported its work making audio recordings of local news for more than 20 years.
Peter Seamer joined Sussex Coast Talking News in 2004, when it was known as Voice of Progress, recording at Rustington Hall and distributing regular news broadcasts to listeners unable to see a conventional newspaper.
Rob Batho, director, said: "Peter Seamer was a stalwart of our charity, Sussex Coast Talking News (SCTN), which provides local news in an audio format for the blind and visually impaired.
"He first supported the then director, Nicholas Myer. He became one of our recording technicians for a while before leading the copying team for many years.
"He was also highly adept at making sure all of our electrical and digital equipment was working and complied with regulations. He was always enthusiastic and willing to help out.
"A fount of knowledge, Peter was always cheerful, funny and positive; he will be much missed."
Sussex Coast Talking News celebrated 50 years in July 2025. It was established in Rustington in 1975 as Voice of Progress, providing an invaluable audio recording of the news for people who are unable to read it for themselves.
Content is gathered from newspapers like the Worthing Herald and Littlehampton Gazette, recorded, and then distributed on USB stick and CD to listeners over a wide area, from Bognor Regis in the west to Shoreham in the east and north to Arundel and Storrington.
Peter Langelaan said the charity would 'have to get used to managing without Peter Seamer'.
He added: "Not only was he our expert for all matters computer-related but he was always the one who jumped straight in to fill a gap at short notice, ready to tackle any task. You want a volunteer? Peter’s there. Everybody knew him and everybody enjoyed working with this quiet, modest but very capable friend."
Peter passed away at home on January 26. The funeral will take place on Friday, February 20, at noon at Arun Crematorium. Family flowers only but donations can be made to his chosen charity, St Barnabas House hospice, which looked after him in his final weeks.