World Sight Day in Beccles marked with blindfold town walk

The walk was organised by the Lions Club of Beccles and Observatory the Opticians in Beccles.

It started and finished outside the opticians at Smallgate, passing through the marketplace and returning via the King’s Head pub.

An annual event, this year the walk also diverted into the chamber of the town hall.

Among those taking part was Beccles mayor Christine Wheeler who has "great empathy" for people with visual impairment.

Group photo Blindfold Walk 2023 from left to right: Sandy Barr (Lions), Mayor of Beccles Christine Wheeler, Frederick Helsdon (President of Beccles Lions), Malcolm Bardsley (Lions), René Moor (Observatory the Opticians Optometrist), Geoff Jones (Lions). (Image: Submitted)

She said: “When I was outside blindfolded, I thought I could see the pavement but I knew it wasn’t real.

"In my imagination, the pavements were wet, with a variety of surfaces. It was a rainy day, but the pavements were not as wet as I imagined.

"Because of my visual perceptions, I was unable to focus on my other senses, such as smell and hearing.

"I have great empathy for those with visual impairments and I will be very conscious of their difficulties from now on.

“In the town hall, I was able to find my way around because there are chairs and it was familiar.

"I would recommend that all councillors at some point undertake this walk with the Lions.”

Group photo Blindfold Walk 2023 from left to right: René Moor (Observatory the Opticians Optometrist), Mayor of Beccles Christine Wheeler, Frederick Helsdon (President of Beccles Lions), Chris Eglington, Geoff Jones, Malcolm Bardsley and Sandy Barr (Image: Submitted)

Optometrist at Observatory the Opticians, René Moor, said: “We do a blindfolded walk every year to raise awareness of the difficulties that visually impaired and blind people face as part of their everyday routines, such as entering shops, crossing roads, negotiating kerbs and shopping in busy high streets.

"Over two million people are living with significant sight loss in the UK and 340,000 people are registered blind or partially sighted.

"Every day, 250 people start to lose their sight in the UK and at least half of all sight loss is avoidable.

"Having an eye test can detect serious health conditions before you even notice any symptoms.”

Group photo Blindfold Walk 2023 from left to right: Sandy Barr (Lions), Jacqui Moor (Observatory the Opticians Practice Manager), Geoff Jones (Lions), Frederick Helsdon (President of Beccles Lions), René Moor (Observatory the Opticians Optometrist), Mayor of Beccles Christine Wheeler, Malcolm Bardsley (Lions). (Image: Submitted)