Jeanette Hughes is a founding member of Concert Signers and raises deaf awareness by providing sign language interpretation to live music. This month the Penketh resident talks about appearing on Channel 5 and looking ahead with optimism to next year's gig schedule when she will join the likes of The Who on stage

CONCERT Signers were very proud to raise deaf awareness on national TV this week.

On Monday we had the honour of signing ‘Viewers’ Questions’ on the daytime Jeremy Vine Show on Channel 5.

Viewers’ Questions are multiple answer questions shown before the beginning of each ad break, with the answer given at the end of the break.

We signed all six ad break questions and answers.

We chose our questions carefully after a lot of thought we decided upon:

  • How many babies are born deaf in the UK every year?
  • How do you sign ‘applause’?
  • When did sign language develop?
  • How do deaf people enjoy music?
  • Who was the first named deaf person in history?
  • After Beethoven became deaf which symphony did he compose?

To get the answers to these questions please check out our videos and the answers which you can see on our social media pages on Twitter and Instagram.

The panel, who consisted of Anne Diamond, Ash Sarkar and Martin Daubney, were fantastic in discussing our questions.

Co-presenter Storm Huntley also gave Concert Signers such a brilliant introduction.

At the end of the show all panellists finished with a ‘waving of hands’ which is the sign for applause (there’s one of your answers to the above).

Thank you to everyone at The Jeremy Vine Show and Channel 5.

It has been a strange year for all of us but Concert Signers have still been rehearsing, practising and raising deaf awareness while following social distancing rules.

Warrington Guardian:

Jeanette Hughes

We had many performances lined up until November, but with the uncertainty around Covid-19, safety comes first and all our performances are now re-scheduled until next year.

Next year’s performances will be amazing and it starts with the incredible Foundations.

We are signing at two of their shows, the first is at The Brindley Theatre in Runcorn on January 26 followed by the Parr Hall on March 5.

Then on March 8 we are signing with rock legends The Who and Mick Hucknall and Simply Red on October 16. Both of these concerts take place at Liverpool Arena.

We even have a date in the diary for Christmas 2021.

On December 23 we are back with ‘Mr Boogie Woogie’ himself, Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra at Manchester Apollo.

It is always a highlight of our year to sign with Jools and his band, who are such brilliant supporters of signing to music, a total pleasure raising deaf awareness with those guys.

Meanwhile, Warrington Disability Awareness Day (DAD) is now in its 29th year.

Dave Thompson and all the team at Warrington Disability Partnership work so hard each year for this wonderful day, which was due to be in July.

The way the world is at the moment this had to be changed. The good news is Warrington Disability Partnership have been creative and innovative and this year’s ‘DAD’ will now be ‘virtual’ on October 25.

Concert Signers are proud to be taking a small part in this, and we hope everyone enjoys the performance.

Please check out the website dadvirtual.org.uk for more information.