THERE is going to be a new signing at Home Park next week.

Ten members of the Plymouth Argyle staff are embarking on a course to learn British Sign Language so they can assist Pilgrims' fans who are deaf or hard of hearing.

The course is being provided by the Plymouth School of British Sign Language, an exciting new teaching initiative that is based at the Pilgrim Centre in Home Park.

An Argyle spokesman said: "We are always conscious of our need to be in a position to provide as much assistance as possible to our fans and members of the public who suffer with a disability.

"Last year, the club's head of communications, Rick Cowdery, started learning BSL and will shortly be embarking on a two-year intermediate course.

"This new course will ensure that all areas of the club will have staff that can cater for the needs of deaf or hard of hearing fans."

The course being provided for the Argyle staff has been customised by the Plymouth School of British Sign Language to suit the club's own particular requirements. These customised courses can be arranged for any business where employees come into direct contact with the public.

The public-facing staff will include those who work in the Pilgrims' Box Office, the Home Park Superstore and in the club's bars and function rooms.

Although all members of staff will not be trained, it is hoped that there will always be someone available who will be able to sign.

Signing PAFC

The spokesman said: "We are pleased that our course is being provided by the Plymouth School of British Sign Language. This School is committed to upholding the high principles and aims held by the British Deaf Association and to teach British Sign Language in full accordance with the curricula and guidelines laid down by the BDA's BSL Academy.

"By so aligning themselves, the school is proud to have received the BDA's accreditation for their courses."

The Plymouth School of British Sign Language's teachers, Jean Lethbridge and Sue Bevans, who are both profoundly deaf, are qualified through the BDA's BSL Academy, while the school is administered by Paul Craven.

The school provides courses for beginners with the Introduction Course and Foundation A and B Courses - this course has a BSL Awareness component incorporated which is not always available elsewhere.

The BSL Awareness component is designed to assist the student in finding out more about the language of the deaf community in the United Kingdom. It will raise awareness of BSL, its history, and its place within the lives of deaf people.

For those who are more advanced in BSL, the School can provide courses at Intermediate A and B level, and they hope in the future to be able to provide the Advanced Course. All of these courses are subject to assessment and certificated through the National Open College Network.

Full details about the school, their staff, the courses provided, and the teaching venue, the Pilgrim Centre at Home Park, may be found on the School's website, www.bsl-plymouth.org, or by telephoning 01752 838742.