Learn to Sign Week Launches at Camelot Theme Park

Camelot's Knights had a smashing time launching this year's Learn to Sign Week campaign last month.

The official launch of the week-long national campaign took place at Camelot Theme Park in Chorley, Lancashire on 4th August, in front of an audience of hundreds.

The regular show put on by the Medieval Jousting team and King Arthur was BSL-interpreted especially for the day by Emma Lynch, and was followed by a one off spectacular glass walk which was performed live by the Knights as the breathtaking finale of the show.

The amazing glass walk was arranged by Nottingham company, Blaze - fire walking and glass walking experts, who set up the arena with a walkway of real shards of glass ready for the exciting event. One by one, the Knights cautiously stepped barefoot onto the trail of glass and everyone managed to conquer any fears they might have had by completing the glass walk.

Radio presenters from Central FM, Hannah Griffiths and Aaron Roscoe, also got stuck in and performed the glass walk, with Aaron's walk broadcast on his show later in the day.

Hannah said: "It was very scary at first and I was very nervous as I didn't know what to expect at all. Once you start walking, you just have to go for it. I could hear the glass crunching under my feet, almost like the feeling of crunching gravel barefoot on a driveway." Both presenters lived to tell the tale anyway.

Amongst the audience were a group of 32 children from a holiday club in Bury. "It was awesome!" said one little boy who enjoyed the special show.

Sarah Murray, BDA's Director of Communications, said: "The event was a great success and was breathtaking to watch. The enthusiasm shown once again by Camelot Theme Park not only provided the general public with a great day out, but has helped continue to raise awareness of BSL, while providing equal access for Deaf visitors, and will hopefully encourage others to do the same."

Camelot Theme Park's marketing manager Sandra Dempsey added:
"We were delighted to be approached again this year to continue our support for such a worthwhile cause. The glass walk was a definite talking point and our visitors were amazed and thrilled to be able to witness this special event."

The Learn to Sign Week campaign itself will take place 5th - 11th October and will involve thousands of school children, groups and organisations all keen to try their hand at learning introductory British Sign Language.

Whilst over 30,000 school children and around 10,000 staff from organisations across the UK are already on board, there is still time for you to get involved and get a taste of British Sign Language.

Schools, organisations, Brownies, Girl Guides and other groups are invited to take part in Learn to Sign Week in October. If you haven't already signed up visit www.bda.org.uk for more information and to register online.

If you have an event planned for Learn to Sign Week and would like to let us know about it, please email bdn@bda.org.uk and you could be featured in a future issue of British Deaf News!