On Saturday 25th July 2009, the Deaf Cultural Centre was ‘the place to be’ for a double event of a reunion and a Prom for young Deaf People.

Both events were arranged by Birmingham Deaf Community Group with guidance and support from the Centre’s Community Development Manager, Robin Ash, after lots of requests from Deaf people of all ages for such events.

Adorning the walls and tables in Ashton Rooms were lots of photographs of those who attended Longwill School for the Deaf and Braidwood School from as early as the 1960s.  Those who came for the reunion met childhood friends they had not seen nor kept in touch since they left school.  Classroom memories and school stories brought much embarrassment and laughter.

 
In the United States, prom, short for promenade, is a gathering of high school students, held at the end of senior year. Quite recently, schools in the UK have followed suit calling the above events Proms in imitation of the North American tradition.  BDCG and the Deaf Cultural Centre decided to join by hosting a Prom for young Deaf people.

On the same evening in Simister Hall, the above event took place with more than 50 in attendance.  Most of them had just finished their final year at Braidwood School and celebrated their leaving at the Prom.  Young deaf men wore black tuxedos, the ladies colourful dresses and most danced the night away with their date for the evening.  At the end, two were crowned ‘King’ and ‘Queen’ to the delight of their friends.

It was also an evening of special significance for one family where the parents and their children attended the same school.  For the parents, it was their reunion but for their children now in their late teens, it was the Prom making the evening for the whole family truly unforgettable.

There were more than 100 people attending the Deaf Cultural Centre that evening.  A buffet including fresh strawberries and ice-cream was provided by the on-site Café and catering staff.  Everyone enjoyed a formal photo-shoot for their own photograph to record their attendance at what was a very memorable evening.

Click here to have a look at more photos!