Previous Trips

2003  IPSWICH NEW ERA

Ipswich was successful with about seventy turning up and plans were made for the next year’s which was in Great Yarmouth (2004). The co-ordinator noticed that there were some people staying overnight at Ipswich, therefore decided to have extended days at Great Yarmouth, but people had to do their own bookings of hotel/bed and breakfast

2004 GREAT YARMOUTH

Great Yarmouth break was ok, mainly because all hotels have different meals times and this makes organising events at Winter Gardens awkward, it was not easy to start events on time, so often the starting time has been delayed.

Whilst at Great Yarmouth three people from EDDJ went out to explore resorts in the area and found Pontins, Pakefield to be more suitable and were able to announce at Great Yarmouth that 2005 would be at Pakefield

2005 PONTINS  PAKEFIELD (LOWESTOFT)

It was not possible to have this resort all to ourselves.. it would need at least two years’ notice, so we stick to a nice hall which holds 250 people almost next door to the restaurant. This resort also has a ballroom which can hold larger number of people

It was 5 days and 4 nights break and large restaurant that can hold about 700 people

Deaf Awareness training was organised so that staff be aware on how to communicate with deaf folks

2006  PONTINS  PAKEFIELD

Similar plan as 2005 was organised and had attracted a good number of people attended, it was 250 people

2007  PONTINS  PAKEFIELD

Year 2007 was difficult to organise because it has become stagnated as people were saying that it is bit much to go to the same resort each year and it was hard to get 200 people to this resort, somehow it was manageable to get the numbers required.

Usual events were organised as well as Ramble.  People enjoyed having stroll along the sea front and were able to visit lighthouse nearby.

Birth of ENGLAND DEAF DARBY and JOAN.

2008  MILL RYTHE HOLIDAY VILLAGE –  HAYLING ISLAND

A lovely resort and EDDJ has the sole occupancy of this resort, relaxed atmosphere and the staff were really great. Film crew turned up and filmed two days events for TV.

Mill Rythe Holiday Village is a holiday camp in Hayling Island. Originally called Sunshine Holiday Camp, it opened its doors to the public in the early 1940s and had been used by the Royal Marines during the war and for holidays with their families after 2nd World War

Table Top sale was organised and was held in “conservatory” near the reception area..  very popular and raised so much money

2009  PONTINS  LYTHAMS ST.ANNES, BLACKPOOL

Blackpool in 2009 and we nearly didn’t get there as nearer the time told they were shutting down and after some discussion managed to get them to stay open for us as a lot of preparation went into this and people had already paid, also EDDJ had paid in full, as well as booking train tickets in advance.

Despite that not everything at the resort was open, some outlets were closed. The main reason, it is believed, for its closure was that the lease has expired and the land is being use for something different…This site was finally closed to the general public at the end of our event.

However a good number of people turned up… main feature of the week was obviously to see the illuminations, beautiful sights along the promenade despite being wet during the coach trip

2010  PONTINS PAKEFIELD

The Co-ordinator and its committee took a huge gamble to have this place as a sole occupancy, meaning having the whole place to EDDJ and 600 people turned up; it has been a great success as we were able to use the hall next to the restaurant for events.. and the ballroom for our evening events.  Events during the day included mini Golf, swimming and the usual games of Darts, German Whist and of course Bingo   One Mini Bingo was organised on Tuesday evening and the Grand Bingo on Thursday

2011  PONTINS  PRESTATYN SANDS

This was a difficult to organise…. Originally the idea was good as it is being held in North Wales, the committee have had its “familiarisation break”, unfortunately, the co-ordinator’s wife broken her ankle in London (thinking it was sprained at first) catching train to Prestatyn from Euston..this happened in February and she was taken to hospital near Prestatyn and one of the committee has decided to take her home after treatment as she was in pain and uncomfortable… the co-ordinator has to stay behind as he was due to have meeting with management of the resort to iron out few issues

The October break at Prestatyn Sands was a bit of nightmare, mainly because the “restaurant” was not really suitable and the kitchen staff was so slow to get meals ready, not only that there has to be three sittings (Groups) so people had to queue up by using the colour code system and the main manager of the resort was made redundant shortly before the date of EDDJ event. Talking of the queue as there was breakfast midday lunch and evening meals being offered… people spend practically about two hours a day in the queue before they could get into the “restaurant” and this restaurant is not really large enough to accommodate the group

However EDDJ was able to organise events and was enjoyed by all despite the circumstances around meal times.

Story about winning £800 was amazing…  a lady won this prize at a mini bingo and that was Tuesday evening and she hid it in her chalet and she has completely forgotten to pick it up on Friday morning and in a panic, as she was on the train before she realise that she has left the money behind so she texted to the co-ordinator, this coordinator was on M6 and no way he was going to turn back, luckily he has the text number of the Security and he was able to go into the chalet and found the money still in chalet underneath the TV.. Very lucky indeed as the cleaner have not spotted this or the room has not yet been cleaned

2012  BUTLINS  SKEGNESS

After discussing with the management of Butlins.. it was agreed that DUK50+ could have part of the resort especially the “Reds” a large hall which can hold so many people, nice facility but bit dark especially in the evening there was a condition to that arrangement of using Reds…EDDJ must have at least 450 people. Announcement formal public statement new title EDDJ change to DUK50+

DUK50+

2013  BUTLINS  MINEHEAD

We changed our name to DUK50+ and decided to go to Minehead so that people from South West could attend and has been a great success as usual

2014  BUTLINS  BOGNOR REGIS

It was agreed that DUK50+, again could have part of the resort especially the “Reds” which is a large hall which can hold so many people, nice facility but bit dark especially in the evening and also was able to use another large hall for its events and Deaf Information Daythere was a condition to that arrangement of using Reds…EDDJ must have at least 450 people

2015  BUTLINS  SKEGNESS

Usual events was organised and DUK50+ was able to use the Royal Arthur Suite for its events and Deaf Information Day. DUK50+ was able to use the Reds for the evening events such as Bingo and entertainments.

2016  PONTINS  PAKEFIELD

The Co-ordinator and its committee took a huge gamble to have this place as a sole occupancy, meaning having the whole place to EDDJ and 600 people turned up; it has been a great success as we were able to use the hall next to restaurant for Deaf Information Day and the ballroom for our evening events.  Events during the day included mini Golf, swimming and the usual games of Darts, German Whist and of course Bingo   One Mini Bingo was organised on Tuesday evening and the Grand Bingo on Thursday

2017  BUTLINS MINEHEAD

By a popular demand it was decided to return to Minehead, the usual programme was organised and several workshops was organised and were well attended

Deaf Information Day was a success

2018  BODELWYDDAN CASTLE  RHYL  (WARNERS)

For the first time and to celebrate its 15th Anniversary the management of Warners has agreed that DUK50+ has the sole occupancy of this wonderful resort, beautiful castle looking over the countryside.

The management was able to donate a special anniversary cake and everyone has a piece of the delicious cake

Coach trips were organised… two different destinations taking almost all guests out of the castle leaving behind a few people!!

A walk to St Margaret Church which is known as the  Marble Church, a beautiful church and lavish use of marble, it was erected by Lady Willoughby de Broke in memory of her husband Willoughby. The foundation was laid in 1856 and completed and consecrated in 1860, the total cost was £60,000

DUK50+ was able to plant a tree to commemorate its 15th Anniversary and is growing nicely

2019  HAYLING ISLAND  (AWAY RESORT)

Mill Rythe Holiday Village has been taken over by Away Resort

This resort proved to be one of the most popular places to have a break as there was no spare room at all, usual programme was planned including coach trips to Portsmouth, but there were not coaches but mostly double decker buses and 2/3rd of the guests were on this trip! Luckily for the trippers as it is a short trip to Portsmouth from Hayling Island

Sadly to say that the resort is closed due to a major redevelopment which include that all chalets are to be removed and being replaced by luxury caravans. No date for its re-opening has been announced yet

2022  SAND BAY, WESTON-SUPER-MARE (PONTINS)

We had a memorial for our late Mike Webster who was our coordinator over 18 years. 

The turnout was 382 people.

A new game is Lawn Green Bowls one day competition and is called the Mike Webster Cup. 

We had our first-ever sponsors. They helped us with our new polo shirts and supported financially for the event.

Our thanks go to our main sponsor SignVideo, and to our other sponsors Remark! and Sign Health.