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British Deaf Association Congress, Brighton (1953)
Bowls, ice cream, drama and kilts on the south coast as the British Deaf Association head for Brighton in Coronation year.
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Overview
Shot on silent film in both colour and black and white and essentially a home movie, this film shows the British Deaf Association (then called the British Deaf And Dumb Association) at their congress in Brighton in 1953. Members attend a conference and ceremony at Brighton Pavilion where they meet the mayor, before letting their hair down playing bowls, scoffing ice cream and using British Sign Language in a drama competition.
One highlight is the day trip to Midhurst, during which grey-haired members, one in a kilt, dance an impromptu jig outside an ice cream shop. Also worth seeing is the drama competition, which features groups from Brighton, Paisley, the National Deaf Club and a particularly dramatic performance of “The Bishop’s Candlesticks” from the Edinburgh troupe, which deservedly scoops top prize. The film was shot by Joseph Foster and James Hudson. British Deaf Association
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