Went to the 40th Birthday Party? We want your feedback..

Did you go to the PDDCS 40th Birthday Party? If you did - please take a couple of minutes to fill in our quick online survey and tell us what you thought..We would really like to know what you thought...

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PDDCS in the Evening Telegraph..Disappointing Coverage

The society made it into the Peterborough Evening Telegraph today with a picture of the Mayor and one of our members. Its a good picture.

The coverage of the event itself is a disappointment though. The article omits nearly all the details. Probably most disappointing is that the ET didn't speak to the society to get any information despite phone calls to encourage them and there are no contact details for interested families to get in touch...Maybe it was a space issue.

We called the ET this morning when the article appeared on the Peterborough Today website and politely asked for our contact details to be included - unfortunately that doesn't seem to have happened either - it was too late for the paper version.

While of course we are grateful to the ET for all their coverage in the past of other events and for sending a photographer to take a picture to this one - the society is left disappointed at opportunities lost.

40th Celebration is New High for Society

The Mayor and William Palmer

The society celebrated it's 40th anniversary on Saturday with almost 200 friends at Marshfields School in Peterborough. The celebration, which began at 11am and lasted until 10pm incorporated an exhibition, children's activities including clay modelling, jewelery making, cooking and two performances from Olli the Monkey.

With no space left for more exhibitors, the exhibition hall was bustling throughout the day with representatives from Medel, RNID, Addenbrookes, Audilogy, Police, Fire, Lions International, CDA, Hearing Support Service and NDCS. The event was enjoyed by many from the local adult deaf community as well as deaf children and their families. Peterborough Mayor, Councillor Keith Sharp, spent hours with the children and families and had his face painted as a clown. Peterborough MP Stewart Jackson also mingled with the families and visited many of the exhibition stands.

Chairperson of the society, Nicola Epathite, addressed all the guests as she officially opened the party and spoke of the good work that has been carried out by the society, the current activities on offer to local deaf children and their families and the society's hopes for the future. Nicola also thanked all the volunteers for helping to make the day a success. Nicola's speech was met with enthusiastic applause.

Emotional moments followed as the society honoured two of it's most dedicated servants and the founder of the society. Commemorative plaques for outstanding contribution were presented to current president John Cheetham and former chairperson Sheila Lever for over 20 years service to the city's deaf children. Then, society secretary, Andy Palmer, presented Betty Hay with a special award for outstanding contribution to recognise her four decades of dedication to the city's deaf children, their families and for founding the society back in 1971.

To recognise their contribution in the organisation of the 40th celebration, presentations of commemorative clocks were also made to Sally Walker, Headteacher of Marshfields School, vice chairman and committee members Dean and Liz Monaf and chairperson Nicola Epathite - without their tireless hard work, the party would not have been possible.

From 7pm, the disco began and prize raffle took place. Mr Will Peacock winning the star prize of a signed picture of England rugby captain Martin Johnson lifting the world cup in 2003.

More pictures and news from the 40th Celebration to follow...

PDDCS in Tonight's ET - Coverage From The Past

We're in on page five of today's Peterborough Evening Telegraph with a small piece about the 40th Birthday Party at Marshfields School on Saturday. The Evening Telegraph will also be there to cover it. Here is a round up of some of the other stories the ET has published about the PDDCS in the past...

Fundraising Trek to the Himalayas
How local families cope with hearing loss
Mums stride out for deaf children
Cochlear Implant for baby Ava
Tara goes to Parliament
Wild Play Scheme and here
New Old Website

Contact details may be different now to those on the stories above - please use the numbers provided on the right side of the page.

Who is coming to the PDDCS 40th Party

Here is the list of exhibitors for the society's 40th Birthday Party on Saturday (both confirmed and unconfirmed)

Confirmed:

White watch – Dogsthorpe Fire Station and engine
Neighbourhood Police
Peterborough Paediatric Audiology
Newborn Hearing Screening
Emmeline Centre for Hearing Implants - Addenbrookes
Forest Books
Family Voice
Peterborough Sensory Support Service
NDCS Information
NDCS Listening bus
RNID Products
Anna Donavan Jewellery
Ollie the Signing Monkey!
Medel Hearing Implants

Awaiting Confirmation:
Phonak
Oticon
Young Lives

Sure to be a brilliant day, make sure you get there....

Medel Pledge £300 contribution to Party

International Cochlear Implant Manufacturer Medel have pledged £300 to the PDDCS to help cover the costs of the 40th Birthday Celebration on Saturday 5th February.

Medel, who will also have a stand in the exhibition hall on the day, donated the generous gift this week. Thanks to Charles Mitchell and Medel for their generosity!

The 40th Birthday Celebrations will be taking place at Marshfields School in Peterborough on February 5th 2011. The doors open at 11am with lots of fun activities for the family, including an evening event and a prize draw- see our page for more details..

40th Celebration Party Update

Sought After Prize

The PDDCS 40th Anniversary Party preparations are in full swing this week as details of some of the exciting prizes are revealed.

A sought after signed and framed collectors edition picture of Martin Johnson lifting the Rugby World Cup tops the list with an estimated value of up to £400, donated by former member and businessman Matt Talbot, alongside commemorative framed picture compilations of the recent Ashes series and Ryder Cup. Thanks Matt!

BGL have donated 12 fine bottles of wine with two bottles of French Burgundy worth £80. Boots have chipped in with some excellent gifts, Peterborough Greyhounds with 16 free tickets to the dogs and RNID Products contributed with a popular model of amplified phone. A Ms Jo Grubb from London also sent some Leirac perfume and body moisturiser. Thanks to Jo and all the donors so far..

There's plenty more to be revealed this week....

40th Birthday Party Announced

PDDCS have announced the date of their historic 40th Birthday Party! Marshfields School in Peterborough will be the venue on Saturday February 5th 2011 for an all day celebration from 11am to 10pm.

Many local organisations have been asked to come along to celebrate as well as members and children past and present. NDCS are also sending the popular listening bus.

More to follow soon...