"Hello all and welcome to the Deaf Cultural Centre website. We, at the Deaf Cultural Centre, would like to wish you all Happy New Year and I hope you had a good Christmas and New Year.  

Here at the Deaf Cultural Centre, we hosted a number of events during Christmas and the New Year.  For example, the Elders had their Christmas meal and the accessible pantomime ‘Aladdin’s Christmas Wish’.    We also had the Christmas Grand Bingo alongside a Christmas party for Children, both arranged by the Birmingham Deaf Community Group.  The Centre was also open for New Year’s Eve celebrations.

So far, that is what has been happening, but what’s planned for 2009?  We do indeed have an events programme but firstly I would like to remind everyone that the Centre is open  every Wednesday evening throughout the year and all are welcome to come and meet friends, have a drink at the bar, access the internet or use the café.  The choice is yours.  Membership is not required for entry to the Cultural Centre or to participate in any of the events.  There is no admission charge and you can stay as long as you want.

As you probably already know, the centre has been regularly open for some time on Saturday evenings however, from this year, if there has been a daytime event during a Saturday such as a bingo event or other community events such as theatre or arts activities, the centre may have to be closed for the evening due to the need for it to be cleaned or prepared for a conference.  It is therefore advisable to check our website which will indicate when closures have to be made.  If you are not sure, you can contact us or speak to one of the staff here.

The aim of the Deaf Cultural Centre is to be a venue which is welcoming and inclusive to all.

We want the range of different community groups such as the Birmingham Deaf Community Group Deaf Asian Group or Youth members to regard it as a ‘home base’ and we would encourage groups to use the centre as a meeting point or as a venue for events.  It has been planned very much as a shared space and not for the exclusive use of any particular group on a particular day, so please be aware that some days will be particularly lively and we hope you will embrace the opportunity to meet new community members as well as old.

Charges for the use of rooms by community groups are negotiated on an individual basis depending on the space and facilities required and any additional needs that they may have.  If you would like more information, please again check the website or contact us.

Hopefully that has given you a clearer understanding of what the centre is about and to assure you that there is no admission charge for attending community groups or using the social space.  If you’re still unsure or would like to know more about which community groups are held here, do contact us or come and see me.  I am generally here on Wednesdays, day or evening and I am usually available for a chat.  Alternatively you can email me, phone via minicom/textphone or send a fax.

Now for more on 2009’s exciting programme of events!  In February, we have a Valentine’s Party for young people which is taking place on Saturday 14th February.  For details, please have a look on our website. On Saturday 14th March we have a Deaf Quiz Night. You may have seen quiz programmes on television and felt you couldn’t take part in it but now you can!  

The Easter Grand Bingo will take place on Saturday 18th April and will host a children’s party on the same day.  This event is being organised by the Birmingham Deaf Community Group.

As part Deaf Awareness Week celebrations, on Saturday 9th May we will be presenting ‘The ‘D’ Factor’, similar to the X Factor programme on the television for budding Deaf performers. If you think that you have a talent and would like to show us, then you are more than welcome!

To coincide with the Bank Holiday Saturday 23rd May, there will be Grand Bingo, again organised by the Birmingham Deaf Community Group.  

June sees the return of ‘Creative Hands’ our Deaf Arts Festival, launched for the first time last year.  This will be taking place from 11th June until 14th June and will involve a variety of activities including exhibitions and workshops.  On Thursday 11th June there will be a focus on art education, inviting schools to attend workshops and a private viewing of art displayed at the exhibition.   On the Friday and Saturday, the general public will have an opportunity to come and look at the art on display here at the centre and also meet some of the Deaf Artists.  

The Deaf Cultural Centre is proud to say we have forged a partnership with the British Deaf History Society and organised an Open Day here at the Deaf Cultural Centre on Saturday 20th June. The day’s theme is sport history so if you’re an avid sports fan this is an event for you. There will be a bookshop, an exhibition and presentations from invited speakers.  The Midlands Deaf Sports Association will have a full display of all the trophies it has been awarded since it was founded.

Also returning this year is the ‘Knockout!’  The centre hopes to invite teams from local Deaf Clubs to compete with Deaf Cultural Centre’s home team. After the main event there will be an evening of wrestling provided by both hearing and Deaf professional wrestlers.  If you want to see who’s victorious, you’ll have to be here on the night!

We hope you will be able to make it to some, if not all our, events for 2009!

You may want to know more about events for the rest of 2009 so I will be back again later to give you an update and to introduce additions to the events’ programme.  If you feel we don’t have the event for you or you have an idea and would like to get involved, please contact us.  We are always happy to discuss your ideas and welcome your support or feedback.  You can contact me via email, fax, through the website or call me on minicom/texphone.  Alternatively, just drop into the Deaf Cultural Centre to speak to me in person.  I am regularly here on Wednesdays.  

Thank you for watching"

As signed by Robin Ash

Click here to find out more about the events.