The Mayor's International Family Day at Central Park

This Saturday (2nd September) there will be a fun family event held in Peterborough's Central Park between 12 and 6pm; an event to  bring communities from across Peterborough together. The day is being jointly organised between the Friends of Central Park and the Mayor to promote the Mayor’s charity. The event is open to all communities in Peterborough. People will be invited to enoy the different cultures through food sampling, singing, dancing among other activities.

PDDCS Summer Playscheme enjoy a visit from the Mayor

The Ridgeons Community Fund

This year's PDDCS Summer Playscheme, supported by a grant from the Ridgeons Community Fund, has got off to a great start. With the theme 'Zoo life' the young PDDCS members have enjoyed making arks among other fun activities. This week the members have also enjoyed a visit from the Mayor, Councillor George Simons as well as an photo opportunities holding an Olympic torch, thanks to Lions member David.

Photo Gallery: The Mayor's musical visit

Peterborough Mayor street dances with deaf kids

Mayor (centre) with the kids

Our Summer Play Scheme came to an end on Friday with a visit from the Mayor of Peterborough, Councillor Paula Thacker MBE, who got right involved with the children's street dancing performance. 

Keen to be involved after chatting to some of our volunteers and children, Cllr Thacker took to the dance floor and showed why she is the Mayor who can mash it up! Thanks  to the Mayor and the City Council for their continued support..

The Play Scheme was once again a success with many children attending during the week and taking part in a wide-range of activities, including dance, cookery, artwork, sports and a trip to the seaside.

Managed by our Chairperson, Nicola Epathite, the Play Scheme gives deaf children in the city the chance to meet their friends and have fun in a way that takes into consideration different communication needs. It's the only one of its kind for miles and miles....

A massive vote of thanks and all the volunteers who made the week a success, including Sally Walker from Marshfields School who gave us access to the venue and lots of her time and hard work too. Finally, once again, thanks to Nicola Epathite for her brilliant work in organising and running this event. 

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...