Cyril Pruden and Douglas Ashley, two founding members of the Christchurch Deaf Club, discuss the club’s history at its Armagh Street location. The video takes us through a montage of historical photos, one of which shows John Kinnear and his wife Jane’s house in North Parade, Richmond, Christchurch. Their house was used as a meeting place for Christchurch Deaf Club members. John was President of Christchurch Deaf Club, as it was known then, from its establishment in 1922 until 1951. He was the Club’s longest serving President for almost 30 years. He passed away in April 1955. Cyril, dressed in a brown suit, looks at John Kinnear’s photo on the wall, and says “…wonderful man, wonderful man. Successful Deaf Club.”
Cyril and Douglas reminisce about winning a trophy for the first John Kinnear Cup ping pong match. They also briefly talk about Sumner School for the Deaf.
Note: Cyril Pruden was Kay Drew’s father, and Douglas Ashley was Cheryl Anton’s grandfather.
