Mermaid helpsdeaf children

This was through a Christmas and New Years’ Raffle which raised £1.000.

Then, during the recent planned closure for maintenance, owner Judith Blincow, conducted tours of The Mermaid’s secret passageways, priest hole, Norman cellars and the feature bedrooms. Donations from the tours amounted to £485.

The Mermaid is one of the oldest inns in Sussex. It had already been opened for 150 years when Elizabeth I visited Rye in 1573 and was a haunt of the famous Hawkhurst Gang smugglers.

It also has its fair share of ghosts including two duelling swordsmen.

Pictured is Elizabeth Kite, daughter of owner Georgina Kite.

Judith Blincow said: “The whole family has benefitted from the support of the National Deaf Children’s Society, which has the visions and values reflecting the fact it is a parents’ organisation, dedicated to the needs of all deaf children, their families and carers.

“It provides a seamless service supporting families with deaf children from birth to 25.”

The National Deaf Children’s Society was founded in London in 1944 by a handful of parents of deaf children concerned about the impact of the 1944 Education Act on their schooling.

The charity also supports the achievement of deaf children by providing special resources to support education professionals working with deaf or ‘hearing impaired’ children in early year settings, primary schools, secondary schools and further education. The resources set out simple tips for deaf friendly teaching and to ensure effective inclusion.

For more about the charity and its work visit www.ndcs.org.uk.

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