British Deaf History Society Presents

BDHS Deaf History Open Day III &
The Dimmock Banquet

SATURDAY 20th JUNE 2009

Open Day III
Deaf Cultural Centre
Ladywood Road, Birmingham
B16 8SZ

Cafe & Bar open until 4.30pm
Bookshop / Guest Speakers / Sports-related History
Exhibition. admission: £1.50

Dimmock Banquet
Doors open7pm Dinner 8pm (formal shirt & tie)

Aston Villa Conference & Banqueting Suite
Villa Park
Birmingham B6 6HE

Deaf History Friends Reunited

3 Course Dinner

Guest Speaker: David G Hyslop OBE

Ticket:

(to reserve your ticket now, non-refundable deposit is required.
You must pay the remainder by 1 June 2009)

Tickets can be obtained from our office at:
11-13 Wilson Patten Street Warrington, Chesire W1 1PG

Report of second Executive Committee Meeting of Deaf History Scotland, 23 March 2009

The second Executive Committee Meeting agreed that the AGM of DHS would be held at Donaldson’s School in Linlithgow, and that the AGM business would take place before lunch, with speakers after the break. The committee also decided to advertise to members two local and family history research classes that are being run at Glasgow University with a BSL/English Interpreter. They also discussed arranging training in presentation skills for DHS members, and the developments in setting up an archive and museum and arranging to record older Deaf people’s memories.

Report of the first Executive Committee Meeting of Deaf History Scotland, 28 November 2008

The first Executive Committee Meeting elected Margaret Aitken as convenor, Ronnie Scott as secretary and Lilian Lawson as treasurer. The Executive Committee decided to make arrangements to register DHS as a charity and to set up a bank account. They also agreed to explore setting up an archive where the records of Deaf organisations in Scotland could be preserved and seen, and a museum where records and objects related to the Deaf community in Scotland could be displayed. They decided that the 1st AGM of DHS would be held on Saturday 31 October 2009. They also agreed to make arrangements for recording the memories of older members of the Deaf community.

Inaugural Conference Report
On Saturday 25th October 2008, over 50 deaf and hard of hearing people braved the torrential rain and gales to attend an inaugural conference of Deaf History Scotland (DHS) at Deaf Connections in Glasgow.

When they entered the Deaf Connections’ building, they soon knew they were witnessing an exciting historic event where Deaf History Scotland was formally established – that made their journey to Glasgow worthwhile!

The conference participants were first welcomed by Lilian Lawson OBE, SCoD Director and then introduced to the world of Deaf History by John Hay MBE, Chair, British Deaf History Society. Then they were treated to two excellent and entertaining presentations from Antony Boyce, President of British Deaf History Society and Peter Jackson, Corporate Secretary of British Deaf History Society. Antony Boyce spoke about Joseph Turner and his links with the Dumfries Deaf & Dumb Institution. Peter Jackson explained how to research and write books on deaf history.

John Denerley, member of DHS Steering Group succinctly explained the draft constitution and the conference participants were invited to ask questions before approving the Constitution.

DHS’ logo was then revealed to the Conference. This logo was designed by Andy Irvine. Following this, the DHS website was launched. Andy Irvine of Commacts designed and developed the website www.deafhistoryscotland.org.uk

Before the Conference adjourned for a lunch break, conference participants who had paid their entry fees which were essentially membership fees to cover the period from 25th October 2008 to 31st March 2009 were invited to volunteer to join an interim Executive Committee of seven members. As nine people had put their names forward, there was a ballot. The elected members are: Margaret Aitken (Glasgow), Michael Sabell (Stonehaven), Enrique Canton (East Kilbride), Pam Bruce (Dundee), Harold Nicolson (Edinburgh), Ronnie Scott (Glasgow) and Lilian Lawson (Glasgow).

During the lunch break, Peter Jackson kindly brought books on deaf history from his Deaf Internet Bookstore for sale and so there was a rush to buy these books.

After lunch, the conference participants joined in an open discussion which was chaired by Michael Davis, member of DHS Steering Group and they brought up ideas for DHS to do in its first and future years. Ideas included deaf history road shows, workshops on how to catalogue and store archives, deaf history lessons for deaf children and a deaf history museum.

The Conference was moved to a close after a vote of thanks from Harold Nicolson, member of DHS Steering Group. Members left the building feeling excited about DHS and looking forward to future DHS events.

Michael Davis chaired the Open Discussion session.

Ronnie Scott, a historian and a member of the Executive Committee of DHS, is leading two classes that might be of interest to members. There will be BSL-English interpreters at both events.

Internet history research - 9th May 2009
DAY EVENT - This day event demonstrates how to use the internet for researching local, national and family history. It will equip students with the abilities and the resources to identify reliable sources of information, to find and use on-line catalogues and databases and to collate and store their research findings. It is ideal for those with a specific project as well as people who want to get more out of the internet.
Led by Ronnie Scott BA MPhil PhD
10.00-16.00 Saturday 09 May 2009
Glasgow University
Course number Y141, costs £31.
Booking details here:
http://www.gla.ac.uk/departments/adulteducation/courses/enrolment.html

Family history research - 20th June 2009
DAY EVENT - Find your ancestors and learn how they lived. As well as exploring how to get the most from statutory records, this course examines lesser known sources for family historians, as well as describing the resources that allow individuals to build a detailed picture of the circumstances in which their family lived. We will look at official records, maps, newspapers and other useful sources.
Led by Ronnie Scott BA MPhil PhD
10.00-16.00 Saturday 20 June 2009
Glasgow University
Course number Y338, costs £31.
Booking details here:
http://www.gla.ac.uk/departments/adulteducation/courses/enrolment.html

Taken at the Scottish Deaf History Open Meeting on 19th April 2008 at Deaf Connections in Glasgow

Interim Executive Committee elected.

Books were available from Deaf Internet Bookstore..

Antony Boyce of British Deaf History Society (BDHS)

Peter Jackson of British Deaf History Society (BDHS)