More than sixty members and guests attended the Annual Conference and AGM held at the Charity Centre, London, on Saturday 25 June 2005. After gathering for registration and coffee, the meeting was opened by one of our Patrons, Sir Roger Sims, who spoke about his support of deafened people and his continued interest in NADP since he retired as a Member of Parliament. NADP greatly appreciates his support and his attendance at our conference.
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Sir Roger Sims, NADP Patron, addressing the Conference
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The conference theme was "Access to leisure and the arts for deafened people: the changing scene" and NADP's Chairman, Heather Jackson, then introduced the first speaker, David Pope from Digital Theater Systems Inc., talking about subtitled films for cinemas. All the presentations to the conference will be printed in full in Network during the remainder of 2005.
We slotted our AGM into the time remaining before the lunch break – this went smoothly apart from a problem with the loop system. Fortunately we had an excellent Palantypist, Lisa Cordaro, so those who would have used the loop were able to follow from the text on screen. All the Officers and Executive Committee, apart from those retiring, were re-elected, and in addition we have two new Executive Committee members, Roland Hilton and Peter Brennan. The Chairman thanked the retiring committee members, Stephanie Bowyer and Paul Hanmer, for their work for NADP. She also thanked all the committee for their support and work during the year. The Secretary, Gill Hadfield, especially thanked Geoff Brown for his assistance with email enquiries to NADP, and Vice Chair mentioned Geoff's outstanding work as NADP's webmaster.
The Gifford Hardy Trophy, presented for the best article in Network, this year went to Anna Pollard for her article " A Wife's Story", which was an account of how her life and marriage changed when her husband became deafened. Anna's husband, Philip, and her two children were also present to see her receive the Trophy from Janine Burgess, Gifford Hardy's daughter. Last year's winner, Michael Jack, who had been unable to come to Cardiff, was also present and took the opportunity on behalf of the members to thank the Executive Committee for the work they do.
We then had a break for lunch and chatting to friends using whatever communication comes easiest - lip-reading, signs, gesture and written notes. This is the chance to put a face to the name of those we know from the pages of Network or the new email group.
The conference resumed with a talk by Dr Heather Smith, who herself has a hearing problem. She is Access for All Advisor for the National Trust. Heather was followed by Marcus Horley, Visitor Services Manager at Tate Modern, a particularly clear and interesting speaker. All speakers at the conference answered questions and were encouraging about the prospects for access to the arts and leisure for deafened people.
After a break we had a demonstration by eight people from the English Country Dance Society, and then members were encouraged to join in themselves. Many brave souls got up and thoroughly enjoyed the exercise though the carpeted floor was not ideal for
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Members enjoying English Country Dancing |
this. We ended up
with a large and energetic Circassian Circle which generated a good thirst
for those who went on after the conference to the local Crown and Anchor
pub! This brought to an end a very successful and interesting day that
was much enjoyed by all those who were present.
We look forward to next year's Conference and AGM, which is
provisionally set for 17 June 2006 in Nottingham. Put that date in your
diaries now!
(Nora Clewes)
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