A HISTORY OF DEAF UK 50+ HOLIDAYS
We’ve been enjoying trips across the UK for over 20 years. Our Deaf holidays are now eagerly-anticipated annual events, with hundreds attending.
We are very proud of the community we have created, and look forward to welcoming you to our next Deaf UK 50+ gathering.
2003 Ipswich – A New Era
Ipswich was successful with about 70 turning up and plans were made for the next year in Great Yarmouth. 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
The Great Yarmouth break was okay, mainly because all the hotels which the group stayed at had different meals times, which made organising events at the Winter Gardens awkward. It was not easy to start events on time.
Whilst at Great Yarmouth three people from the England Deaf Darby & Joan Club (EDDJ) explored resorts in the area. They found Pontins in Pakefield to be more suitable, were able to announce at Great Yarmouth that 2005 would be held at Pakefield.
Line-up of committee members at an early EDDJ event.
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 stuck 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 Pontins staff were able to better communicate with deaf guests..
2006 Pontins Pakefield
The event followed a similar plan to the previous year at the same venue. Attendance continued to gorw, with 250 guests enjoying the holiday.
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 a stroll along the seafront and were able to visit a nearby lighthouse.
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
Guests enjoying the event at Lytham St Annes
2009 Pontins Lytham St Annes, near Blackpool
This event nearly did not take place. Pontins informed EDDJ that they were shutting down the venue. However, EDDJ were able to persuaded them to stay open following all our preparation and guests who had paid in advance.
Not everything at the resort was open, some outlets were closed. The Lytham site was finally closed to the general public at the end of our event.
A good number of people turned up, with a main highlight of the week being a coach trip to see the famous Blackpool Illuminations.
2010 Pontins Pakefield
For our fourth time at this venue, the committee took a huge gamble in asking for sole occupancy. This meant having the whole place to EDDJ for the duration of the holiday.
600 people turned up, making the week a great success. We were able to use one hall for daytime 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 bingo One Mini Bingo was organised on Tuesday evening and the Grand Bingo took place on Thursday.
2011 Pontins Prestatyn Sands
This was a difficult event to organise. A bad start happened when the Committee were travelling to visit the venue for familiarisation; the Co-ordinator’s wife broke her ankle when catching the train in London and she was taken to hospital near Prestatyn.
She was driven home to recover by a member of the Committee while the Co-ordinator had to stay behind to iron out some issues with resort management.
The actual October break 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
This event was where we announced a formal name change to Deaf UK 50 Plus.
We struck a deal with Butlins management to have the full use of the ‘Reds’ hall, on the condition that we brought 450 guests. We were able to bring that number of people to the event, although many felt that the actual hall itself was too dark, especially in the evenings.
First Event as Deaf UK 50 Plus
The new Deaf UK 50 Plus Committee at Minehead, 2013
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 – specifically the ‘Reds’ hall, provided we could guarantee 450 guests. This large hall could hold so many people, was a nice facility but attendees found it a bit dark, especially in the evening.
We were also able to use another large hall for events and for a Deaf Information Day.
Guests enjoying the events at Skegness, 2015
2015 Butlins Skegness
The usual events were organised. DUK50+ had exclusive use of the Royal Arthur Suite for these events, and for a Deaf Information Day, which was part of the week for the first time.
DUK50+ was able to use the Reds hall for evening events such as bingo and live entertainment.
Scenes from the holiday at Pakefield, 2016
2016 Pontins Pakefield
For our fifth trip to Pakefield, the Committee took a huge gamble to book this place as sole occupants. This meant that DUK50+ had 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.
Guests at events, including the Deaf Information Day at Minehead, 2017
2017 Butlins Minehead
By popular demand it was decided to return to Minehead. The usual programme was organised and several well-attended workshops were organised.
The second hosting of a Deaf Information Day was a great success.
Guests enjoying events and trips from Bodelwyddan Castle, 2018
2018 Warners Bodelwyddan Castle near Rhyl
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.
Warners management donated a special anniversary cake for everyone.
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, which is still growing nicely.
Scenes from the Hayling Island holiday in 2019
2019 Away Resorts Hayling Island
This was the Mill Rythe Holiday Village, which was taken over by Away Resort. This was the last event to be run by Co-Ordinator Mike Webster.
This resort proved to be one of the most popular places to have a break as there was no spare room at all.
The 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.
2020 Skegness (Cancelled)
Unfortunately, this event had to be cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021
No event was held his year.
Guests relaxing during the Weston-super-Mare holiday in 2022
2022 Pontins Sand Bay (Weston-super-Mare)
We held a memorial service for Mike Webster, who was our Co-ordinator over 18 years. The turnout was 382 people.
A new lawn green bowls competition started at this event, and is named the Mike Webster Cup.
We had our first-ever sponsors – SignVideo (main sponsor); Remark! and SignHealth. They helped us with our new polo shirts and supported us financially for the event.
2023 The Imperial Hotel Blackpool
425 people attended our 20th Anniversary event, and received a small DUK50+ towel as part of their welcome pack.
One of Rosie Cooper MP’s greatest triumphs was steering the British Sign Language (BSL) Bill, which gained Royal Assent in 2023, giving BSL legal recognition across England, Wales, and Scotland.
We were honoured that Rosie joined us to celebrate our 20th Anniversary, where she cut our cake and shared in this special milestone.
2024 Warners Norton Grange, Yarmouth, Isle of Wight
This was our first time visiting the island. We booked 84 cars on the ferry from Portsmouth to Yarmouth. Luckily, the weather was lovely all week, and our resort was right by the sea. A total of 403 guests enjoyed a variety of activities.
2025 Warners Gunton Hall, Lowestoft
401 people attended in our 22nd year of hosting events.
Although the weather was not the best, the week was mostly enjoyable. We introduced pickleball for the first time, with help from our experienced volunteers who taught people how to play. Killer darts and the quiz were very popular activities.
When people went to the bar to order drinks, the bar staff first asked if anyone had allergies. This was because most glasses were washed in the main kitchen dishwasher, which is also used for washing items that have been in contact with food. The small dishwasher behind the bar could not handle all the glasses. For this reason, the staff checked carefully to help keep everyone safe.
2026 Warners Littlecote House, near Hungerford (14th–18th September)
This year we will have two coach trips. There are still some places available.
If you know any single people who would like to come and share a room, please contact Joe Collins as we may also know others looking to share.
