Gwent Archives: Documenting 100 Years of Services for Deaf People

We recognise that the term ‘Deaf and Dumb’, used within the titles of the organisations and text of these historical publications, is no longer acceptable as it is offensive and can be used inaccurately.

Gwent Archives holds some of the annual reports for the ‘Cambrian Institution of the Deaf and Dumb’, and for the’ Glamorgan and Monmouthshire Missions to the Adult Deaf and Dumb’. Written 100 years apart, they document some of the changes to the services and provisions available to Deaf people during this period.

‘The ‘Cambrian Institution for the Deaf and Dumb’ was established in 1847 and was based in Swansea. The Institution’s objective was to provide instruction to “deaf and dumb children, of all ranks and conditions in life, being children of Welsh parents, or of parents residing in Wales.” Admissions were not made for children aged under 9 or over 13 years of age.

The annual report for 1868 to 1869 details donations from Lady Llanover, Mr Henry Hughes of Pontypool, Mr Thomas Cordes of Newport, and the contents of a collection box at the Angel Hotel, Abergavenny. The children were taught various trades – Catherine Morgan from Nantyglo was taught dressmaking – others were taught bookbinding, tailoring or shoemaking.

The ‘Glamorgan and Monmouthshire Missions to the Adult Deaf and Dumb’ was established in 1869 – with it’s first meeting taking place at Bethany Baptist Chapel in St Mary Street, Cardiff. The aim of the Missions was “to promote the spiritual, moral and economic welfare of all who are deaf and dumb” and provided assistance to the poor and destitute, as well as providing interpreters for the Deaf to assist with interviews, hospital visits, weddings, funerals and more.

The annual reports for the period 1963 to 1971 mention monthly “get togethers” for deaf patients at Pen-y-Val Hospital, Abergavenny; arranging work placements at Re-employ Limited, Abertillery; and providing interpretation at weddings in Bargoed, Chepstow and Caerleon. The Missions also held Sunday services at their centres in Newport, Abertillery and Cardiff.

Both sets of annual reports include a manual alphabet at the back – documenting minor changes to British sign language over a 100 year period.

Gwent Archives
https://www.gwentarchives.gov.uk/