British Deaf Association awards Sign Language Charter to Greater London Authority
The British Deaf Association has awarded its Sign Language Charter to the Greater London Authority (GLA), recognising the…
23 September 2026
BDA AGM Weekend
AGM 2026in Plymouth
Join BDA members and the wider Deaf community for a weekend of connection, celebration and Deaf-led decision-making.
20–22 November 2026A full weekend of events
Crowne Plaza PlymouthArmada Way, Plymouth PL1 2HJ
Members’ AGMSaturday 21 November · 10.00am–1.00pm
Three ways to take partIn person, online or by proxy
Weekend at a glance
What’s happening
Social evening
Friday 20 November · 6.00pm–12.00am
Gala ticket holders onlyEntertainment, a raffle and Hands in Harmony, included at no extra charge for Gala ticket holders.
View social details
Members’ AGM
Saturday 21 November · 10.00am–1.00pm
Details availableLearn, vote and have your say at our Annual General Meeting.
View AGM details
Gala and Awards Ceremony
Saturday 21 November · 7.00pm–12.00am
Booking openCelebrate our community and recognise outstanding achievements.
Book the Gala
Deaf History ghost tour
Sunday 22 November · 11.00am
Gala ticket holders onlyA private visit to Stonehouse Barracks and its tunnels, available only to Gala ticket holders.
Select with your Gala ticket
Plan your visit
Details availableTravel, food, parking and accessibility information for your visit.
Plan your visitBritish Sign Language
AGM information in BSL
About the AGM
Your meeting. Your voice. Your BDA.
Our AGM is the most important meeting of the year. It is your opportunity to hear what we have achieved, ask questions about our plans and vote on the future of the British Deaf Association.
Everyone is welcome to attend in person or join online. Voting and proxy appointments are available to eligible BDA members.
Doors and registration9.00am
AGM time10.00am–1.00pm
Voting rightsOpen to eligible BDA members
AccessBSL interpretation, captions and hearing loops
RefreshmentsTea and coffee provided; lunch is not provided
Questions?bda@bda.org.uk
Take part in the AGM
Choose how you will take part
Choose to attend in Plymouth, join the livestream online or, if you are an eligible BDA member who cannot attend, appoint a proxy to vote on your behalf. Registration links and proxy information will appear here when each route opens.
Attend in person
Join us at Crowne Plaza Plymouth. Doors and on-site registration open at 9.00am. The AGM runs from 10.00am to 1.00pm.
Join online
Watch the AGM live from wherever you are. Use this route to register for the livestream and receive joining instructions.
Appoint a proxy
If you are an eligible BDA member and cannot attend, you can appoint someone to vote on your behalf. Use this route for the proxy form and return instructions.
Gala and Awards Ceremony
An evening to celebrate
Join us for an evening celebrating the achievements, leadership and contributions of the Deaf community. The celebration will include food, the BDA Awards Ceremony, performances, entertainment, networking and an after-party.
- Two-course hot buffet
- Awards ceremony
- Entertainment and Deaf-led performances
- Dress code: Smart
Optional events for Gala ticket holders
These events are available only to Gala ticket holders. Use the Gala booking form to select either or both options for the ticket holders attending.
Friday social eveningFriday 20 November 2026 · Doors open 6.00pm · venue closes midnightIncluded
Start AGM Weekend together
Plymouth Deaf Association is hosting the Friday social evening at The Treasury as part of the BDA’s AGM Weekend in Plymouth. Entry is included at no extra charge with a Gala and Awards Ceremony ticket.
Friday 20 November at The Treasury. Entry is included at no extra charge and places are limited to 150 people.
Join us for entertainment, a raffle and a performance by local BSL choir Hands in Harmony.
Venue: The Treasury, Catherine Street, Royal Parade, Plymouth PL1 2AD
Admission: Included with a Gala ticket · Limited to 150 people
- Entertainment starts at 7.00pm
- Raffle draw at 9.00pm
- Performance by local BSL choir Hands in Harmony
Included with your Gala ticket
Only people who purchase a ticket for Saturday’s Gala and Awards Ceremony can attend the Friday social. There is no separate social booking form.
- Purchase your Gala ticket using the booking form below.
- Select the optional Friday social question if you plan to attend.
- Friday social places are limited to 150 people.
Sunday Deaf History ghost tourSunday optional eventIncluded
Sunday 22 November at 11.00am. A minibus will collect attendees from the hotel for a private two-hour visit to Stonehouse Barracks, including the tunnels beneath the car parks.
Gala menu
GF & VE: Sweet potato & cauliflower curry
Fish: Smoked haddock & leek fish cake
Meat: Chicken Mangalore curry
The buffet will also include Chef’s selection of salads, hot potatoes and a breadbasket.
Chef’s selection of desserts
Filter coffee, tea and mint crisps
If you have any special requirements, please email Mhairi.Simpson@bda.org.uk
Accessibility support
BSL interpreters and on-screen captions will be provided. If you are Deafblind or have additional access requirements, please contact us as soon as possible. Mhairi.Simpson@bda.org.uk
Before you book
The secure Beacon form asks for the lead booker and ticket-holder details. Please check all names and email addresses carefully before submitting.
Awards
Honouring excellence in our Deaf community
Our awards celebrate the achievements and contributions of Deaf people across the UK.
Nominations have now closed
Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination. Award recipients will be announced during the Gala and Awards Ceremony.
Explore the BDA Awards
Open an award to learn more. Previous recipients will appear here once the historic list has been added.
Francis Maginn AwardAbout this award
Recognising a Deaf person who has made a significant contribution to Deaf people or to the advancement of BSL and Deaf culture.
Certificate of MeritAbout this award
Recognising the work of an individual, group or organisation that has made a positive difference to the BDA or Deaf people.
Plan your visit
Everything you need to know
Use the sections below to plan your journey, meals, parking and time in Plymouth.
Food and drink
Lunch is not provided during the daytime AGM programme. The options below are within walking distance of the venue.
Cafés / relaxed lunch spots
- Coffee#1 Plymouth — approximately 10 minutes’ walk. Reliable café chain with good seating and light lunch options.
- Fig & Thyme Kitchen — approximately 12 minutes’ walk. Popular brunch and lunch café near the Barbican, with healthier lunch options.
- Salt and Pepper Kitchen Plymouth — approximately 9 minutes’ walk. Budget-friendly café breakfasts, sandwiches and quick lunches.
- Coffee Time — approximately 10 minutes’ walk. Small independent café with quick service and good coffee.
Restaurants
- Marco Pierre White — inside Crowne Plaza. The easiest option for anyone who does not want to leave the hotel, with sea views and a proper sit-down lunch.
- Turtle Bay Plymouth — approximately 7 minutes’ walk. Caribbean food, wraps, bowls and burgers; a good option for groups.
- Lost in Rio Restaurant & Cocktail Bar — approximately 10 minutes’ walk. Brazilian-style grill and cocktails, with a lively and social atmosphere.
- Fletcher’s Restaurant — approximately 12 minutes’ walk. A higher-end lunch option for anyone looking for something more polished.
Fast food / quick grab
- Pepe’s — approximately 8 minutes’ walk. Chicken wraps and rice boxes; quick and filling.
- KFC Plymouth, Old Town Street — approximately 9 minutes’ walk.
- Burger King — approximately 8 minutes’ walk.
- McDonald’s — approximately 9 minutes’ walk.
- McDonald’s — approximately 10 minutes’ walk; this branch is open 24 hours.
Travel and parking
The AGM and Saturday evening Gala will take place at Crowne Plaza Plymouth, Armada Way, Plymouth PL1 2HJ.
By air
Exeter Airport
- Approximately 50 miles away, or around one hour by car.
- Main airport for domestic UK and selected European routes.
- Taxi, coach and rail connections are available to Plymouth.
Cornwall Airport Newquay
- Approximately 48 miles away, or around 1 hour 20 minutes by car.
- Useful for selected UK regional flights.
There is no airport shuttle service to and from the hotel.
By train
Plymouth railway station
- Approximately a 15–20-minute walk to the hotel.
- Direct rail services are available from London Paddington, Bristol, Birmingham, Exeter and Cornwall.
The walking route from the station is straightforward via Armada Way.
By coach / bus
- Plymouth Coach Station and the main city bus services are located in the city centre.
- Royal Parade bus stops are approximately two minutes’ walk from the hotel.
- National Express services connect Plymouth with London, Birmingham, Bristol and other UK cities.
By car
Main route
- From the M5, continue onto the A38 Devon Expressway.
- Follow signs for Plymouth City Centre.
- Exit via Marsh Mills roundabout onto the A374 towards City Centre, Hoe and Barbican.
- Follow signs to Armada Way.
Detailed route guidance is provided by the hotel.
Parking
Hotel parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis:
- Underground parking.
- EV charging is available.
- Height restriction: 1.8 metres / 6 feet.
- Additional nearby NCP and city-centre parking is available if the hotel car park is full.
Nearby parking options include:
- Drake Circus Car Park.
- Guildhall Car Park.
- Western Approach Car Park.
Sponsorship
Support AGM Weekend
AGM Weekend brings BDA members, Deaf community leaders, supporters and partner organisations together from across the UK. Sponsorship helps us deliver a high-quality, fully accessible event while giving organisations meaningful visibility and the opportunity to demonstrate their support for BSL, Deaf culture and Deaf-led decision-making.
With thanks to
Our sponsors
We are grateful to the organisations supporting AGM Weekend 2026 and helping us bring the Deaf community together in Plymouth.
