With Zoom meetings on the go, we've all felt sometimes it can be harder to communicate effectively in this new format. It got us thinking about how much harder still it must be for those who are hard of hearing, especially as mask wearing is further to the fore nowadays. So we were pleased to invite Vicky Ambroise along from her home in London as our speaker at June's main meeting to give us an insight into the world of the deaf and to introduce us to British Sign Language (BSL).
Vicky's son Jake was born deaf to hearing parents. This is the case for 90% of those who are deaf and so the family had to learn what it's like in the deaf world without any familial reference points. It's to the family's credit - and Jake's - that he doesn't consider himself disabled. Vicky has learned BSL and also uses it in her work as a driving instructor. Deaf students will travel much further than most to learn from an instructor who 'speaks' BSL, and Vicky is now training other instructors to offer this service.
We then learned some basic signs (including swear words!) and some of the letters of the alphabet. It soon became clear that BSL is a multi-layered language, where context and facial expression can alter the meaning of the sign being used. Those who are interested in learning more should no further than the BSL website which offers lots of online resources and courses. Some of us recalled how we used the BSL alphabet at school to be able to chat to each other when talking wasn't allowed!
Elsewhere this month our new Walkie Talkies group got off to a tremendous start with walks to Birds Marsh Woods from Hill Corner Road and to Lacock from Pewsham. Hints and tips for other walks and resources are also being shared on their closed Facebook group as well as arrangements for future socially distanced walks. Contact Clare, Fiona P, or Michelle if you'd like to join the group - it's open to all members. The Book Club reviewed "Sleep" and found it a little melodramatic in style for a psychological thriller; various theatre, film and TV offerings were mulled over in the Entertainment Chat; and the Happy Hookers met twice to make jug covers and placemats respectively with surprisingly different results for the latter. The Crafty Crew met for a paper beads craftalong led by Steph and welcomed Sheila along to her first meeting with this group.
The Creative Writers shared their latest stories based on the prompts "Trainers" and "Garden Centre" and with Lockdown measures being eased, the Walking Netballers enjoyed a return to small group outdoor training at Kington Langley village hall. A second care package with coffee, puzzles and a colouring-in postcard was well received, as was "Lockdown Life" the special magazine put together using everyone's responses to May's "Day in the Life" activity. Michelle was invited to speak on BBC Wiltshire about the magazine and managed to enthuse for 9 minutes! Out in the wider community we distributed goodies to the Lodge Surgery and Pewsham's pharmacy to say 'thank you' and we welcomed Teresa as Chippenham's first virtual mayor. Finally, several Pewsham Belles enjoyed the expanded "Denman at Home" online courses, with attendance at various history; world cookery and baking; craft; and ukulele workshops.