Description: 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.

The opening titles are in colour. After the title card there is some text explanation of the film and why they are in Brighton. The film is shot by James Hudson and Joseph Foster and they are thanked in the text.

Filmed in black and white the film opens with scenes of Brighton seafront, the camera pans from the prom, where we see some buses, all the way round to the sea and the Palace Pier. There some interesting shots of fishermen on the end of pier.

Following this are shots of members arriving to attend a conference and ceremony at Brighton Pavilion and also outside the Brighton Dome. They are congregating in the gardens between the Pavilion and the Dome. There are shots of the members greeting each other with sign language as well as signing towards the camera. This takes place outside with an archway and entrance to the Brighton Dome building seen in the background (or what is now the entrance to the Brighton Museum and Art Gallery).

"The members are next shown to being received at a reception in the Dome and Corn Exchange by the Mayor and Mayor’s wife”

The members make their way in and are seen to be following the Mayor out of the building into the grounds. They are all dressed smartly and there is a lovely group shot with the Mayor and Mayor’s wife where they are all smiling at the camera.

"A highlight of the week is the dinner and ball at the Corn Exchange"

The film shows the members dressed up in evening wear and sitting in the decorated ball room at large tables with lots of floral decorations. Waitresses walk through the shots carrying bottles or trays of food. There are longer shots and close ups of the members holding glasses toasting the occasion, sitting at the tables enjoying themselves. During the dinner award presentations are made they are “medals of honour are awarded to Mrs E Ayliffe and to Mr W Gregory Wright” (text for this on a title card).

There is then a close up on a letter, which is shot in colour. The letter is from the Mayor of Brighton and wishes them congratulations on their conference and that is was nice to have them in Brighton.

“End of Part 1”

“The Royal Pavilion Estate, containing these fantastic buildings erected at the whim of the Prince Regent, later George IV, is seen here in all its oriental splendour”

The film then continues in colour and shows the grounds of the Royal Pavilion, with the Dome and corn exchange in the background before panning along the main Royal Pavilion buildings, this includes a view panning from the Old Steine back to the the Pavilion.

“The preacher on Sunday morning in the church of St. Mary is The Bishop of Lewes”

Church clergy and choir are parading down from the back of the church to the front, followed by the Bishop, before going into the church by the front entrance. The members of the association can then be seen outside the front of the church, on St James Street, dressed in their Sunday best, the sun is shining. The church is on the corner of St James Street and Upper Rock Gardens, in the area of Kemp Town, Brighton. The Bishop is then seen walking towards a car parked by the roadside, a red no 41 bus comes down the road in the background, the Bishop waves good bye. This is followed by shots of the members outside in the sunshine.

“Evening service in Union Church is conducted by the Rev. McEwan Lawson M.A, B.D.”

The clergy parade into the church following the choir in their very vivid purple outfits.

“Business meetings are held in the Dome”

Views of the grounds of the Dome and the Dome itself.

“Glimpses of the delegates conference”

The stage with a long table is shown with a number of panelists and delegates there discussing issues with the, possibly, the chair. A small group of members are then in the gardens outside. “End of Part 2”

“ National Drama Festival 1953; Finalists: Brighton, Edinburgh, Paisley and National Deaf Club; the Adjudicators are Miss Kathleen Fry, Mrs Hannah Walt and Mr K P McDougall; it is staged at the Brighton Dome”.

“National Deaf Club Branch – Time Exposure Fifty Years”

The drama competition then starts with shots of the actors on stage performing. All the drama groups use British Sign Language.

“Brighton Branch – Lord Stoney-Broke and the Coronation”

The play is acted on stage for the audience, the actors dressed in costume. This time filmed from a slightly closer side angle than the previous play.

“Paisley Branch – The Shadowed Door”

The next play is acted out on the stage with members of the clubs in costume.

“Edinburgh Branch – The Bishop’s Candlesticks”

Their competition entry is then presented with the actors in costume. The camera angle moves during this performance to a wider shot from being mainly close up to the stage.

Following is some text stating which team won and to whom was given special individual performance awards and certificates. These are:

"At the conclusion of the plays Edinburgh Branch was adjudged the winner and the B.D.D.A Drama shield was presented to Mr A Craig on behalf of the Edinburgh players. Awards for the best individual performances were presented to Mrs M Baillie (Edinburgh) and Mr A Denmark (Paisley) and certificates of merit were awarded to each of the competing teams".

The scenes that follow show the awards being given on the stage to teams and individuals. The final shot of this section is of one of the members in a kilt, standing on a grassy area of the prom, called Hove Lawns. At his feet is a large trophy, the weather is clear and sunny and you can see the pier and sea in the background.

"End of Part 3”

“The All Day Outing to Midhurst and Winchester”

Approximately five green coaches heading towards the camera along a country road carrying all the members.

One of the highlights to the day trip to Midhurst is of one of the grey-haired members, in a kilt, dancing an impromptu jig outside an ice cream shop. The members are also enjoying an ice cream or two. Following this are scenes of the members enjoy the sights, parks and churches of the towns, walking, sitting and relaxing. Outside one of the churches the group are dancing another jig, again the man with the kilt is a central part of this.

“The following afternoon a bowls match is played in Preston Park”

Scenes of the members on the bowling greens of the park enjoying a game, in the background the park pavilion and flowerbeds can be seen.

“Members of the Executive Council are introduced by the Chairman”

The group can be seen on Hove lawns with the views towards the pier in the background. The members of the Council are smartly dressed. The Chairman signs an introduction to each member. Finally two men in morning suits hold a “The End” sign up in front of the member dressed in full Scottish kilt regalia, again this is on Hove Lawns.

The final card reads “And so to Blackpool in 1956”. A shot of Blackpool tower, prom and sea in silhouette are behind the text”