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Photos and reports from the Family Weekend - 8th to 10th June 2007

66 of us (my team of 4, 13 families and a respite group of 6 carers and 7 respite children) went to South Devon to stay at YHA River Dart near Brixham for the weekend. We were very fortunate to have hot and sunny weather throughout the weekend. At the YHA there were beautiful scenery all round and fantastic view of the river. On Saturday we went to a Water Park called Quay West only 3 miles way. The children enjoyed doing the water slides while the parents were sunbathing in the sun. Some of them swim in the sea next to the water park. Many of them came back to the YHA in the vening and they were sunburnt! The men cooked BBQ and Ian and Matt made lovely various salad to go with burgers and hot dogs. It was Daniel's 4th birthday and we all signed 'Happy birthday'. We all had chocolate cake. Girls played rounders against Boys and Girls won 4-2! On Sunday we went on a day trip to Woodlands Leisure Park and had picnic there. The children went on some of the rides.Over the weekend, My team Ian, Matt, Rachel and I spent a lot of time in the kitchen slaving away - cookng, cleaning, washing up and drying up. Luckily Ian used to be an experienced chef which was a big help. Hopefully we will have another Family Weekend next year.. Monica Cherryson - Deaf Child Link Worker

Here are the comments from the parents:

Yeah we enjoyed the weekend but no children access at YHA. Thanks for everything. Alison Wherry-Alimo, Justin Wherry-Alimo, Isabella and Jacob (Deaf parents of hearing children)

We all had a lovely weekend at Brixham!. All my kids agreed they had brill time and hope to go again next year! Thanks for all the staff especially Monica for their hard work to ensure we all have a pleasure and enjoyable weekend! Maureen Eyre (Deaf mum of hearing 10 years old, Deaf 7 years old and hearing 5 years old)

We really enjoyed our weekend with you all much great time. The food was lovely which Monica, Ian and Matt fantastically cooked on Friday night and Saturday too. Lovely place we stayed and comfortable bed which we had good sleep. We all enjoyed playing rounders and games, one thing is the place was not children friendly, not enough access to playing fields, football pitch for kids to play on, games room etc but overall a lovely weekend big thanks. Sammie Luton (Deaf mum of Deaf 14 years old girl and hearing 4 years old girl)

We enjoyed very much. I can see children enjoyed swimming at water park, lucky hot weather at the right time. My son Calvin wants to go again with Family Centre next year. Thank you. Teresa Smithers (Deaf mum of hearing 5 years old boy)

Lovely weekend fantastic views only thing that spoilt it was the mattress and pillows on the beds were hard. Lovely weather so we were not stuck indoors. Shelly Dawson (Mum of Deaf & years old boy)

The weekend was brill time with other deaf and hearing people and also the place we stayed was good and big as well and near the beach so it was great weekend. Thank you. Mike Craig (respite carer of Deaf children)

Last week-end was excellent, from an organisation and atmosphere point of view. Well done! Alex and me feared that we might not be well included as we do not sign (have had the intention to learn since over 2 years now....), but we were nicely surprised and very well included. This was a very friendly week-end, very relaxed but well under control. We would definitely plan to join again next year if you organise one again and by then we might sign a bit more. A big thank you to ALL! Claire Rehm ( Hearing mum of deaf 10 years old boy)

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