Today, our Belfast office was visited by Anne Murray, who has gifted the BDA and the Deaf Community with a very special item.
Anne was out running errands and decided to have a look in a local charity shop. While she was having a browse, Anne was surprised to spot a particular framed piece of work which was signed by our very own, Francis Maginn. Anne knew of the importance of this document, as she used to work in RNID at Wilton House in Belfast as a communication support worker/ note-taker. Anne said that she couldn’t leave the shop without buying it.
This is an address to Wilhelmina Tredennick, written in Belfast and dated May 1888. It expresses gratitude for her work within the Deaf community. The address has been signed by Francis Maginn (Secretary), William J Hanvey (Treasurer), Andrew Verner, David Ruddell, Alexander Laverty and George Harrison.
This framed tribute was in the attic at Wilton House, but a lot of important historical history was unfortunately lost when Wilton House was closed. Wilhelmina Tredennick was one of the giants in the local Deaf Community in the 19th century and was greatly loved.
The BDA are delighted to have received this wonderful gift which will be added to our archive collection. We would like to express our gratitude to Anne Murray for finding this and gifting it to the British Deaf Association.
