Bournemouth Deaf Club Website

The Deaf Centre was originally a Baptist Church, which bought for the Deaf in the
1940's with funds donated by the Lockyer family. Hence the name Lockyer Hall.
From the 1940's the Hall was used by the Deaf as a Social club and regular church
services were held until the 1970's. During the 1970's and the 1980's the club
deteriorated mainly because of the poor heating system but it continued to be used
for occasional church services. During this period the premises became very derelict.
In 1987 Mr. Keith Simmons began a three-year campaign to regain possession of the
Lockyer Hall premises and successfully received the keys of the Hall in June 1990.

A team of approximately 20 deaf volunteers the began the task of clearing the of
nearly three tons of newspapers etc that had been collected during the past 15 years!
Some sundry items were sent to the auctioneer to be auctioned. The amount of
money raised gave the members some funds to begin the awesome task of rebuilding
the Hall into a Deaf Centre. The old snooker table was found partly buried in the
foundation in September 1990. In October 1990 an Open Meeting was held in the
Hall with all the local deaf people to decide the way forward and what they would like
to see in their new centre. At this meeting 19 volunteers offered to help with the
refurbishment work, which was not going to be an easy task.

It was expected that this project would take about two years but as you can see from
the following timetable of progress it all took over seven years. Having spent six
months clearing the Hall over many weekends and evenings new concrete floors
was laid in February 1991.
March 1991. New kitchen area was built with new flooring and new brick walls.
April/May 1991. Old Boiler removed and new drainage / sewage system laid.
June 1991. New gas pipes laid
October 1991. New ladies and gents toilets built during the next four months.
April 1992. With help of building Co. completely renovated Cottage next to Hall.
May 1992. First steel beams erected for new first floor level over the
snooker room.
August 1992. Foundations dug in main Hall to support steel post for first floor level.
October 1992. New stairs erected from snooker room to first floor.
May 1993. Toilets and handbasins installed also water supply connected.
June 1993. Steel girders erected in Main Hall for first floor.
August 1993. Complete rewiring and electrical installation commenced.
October 1993. Commenced laying concrete flooring on first floor.
March 1994. Internal decorating commenced also wall tiling toilet areas.
May 1994. Removal of Balcony and New main Stairway to first floor made
December 1994. Plastering Hall area and commence painting.
January 1995. New suspended ceiling installed.
February 1995. Cenral Heating system installed.
March 1995. Lighting installed and connected.
April 1995. Fire alarm system installed.
May 1995. Commenced building first floor Chapel.
June 1995. Commenced relaying wood block flooring, sanding and varnish.
September 1995. New carpet fitted in the whole of the Hall.
October 1995. Room built for use by Dorset Deaf Children Society.
October 1995. On the 29th. October Dedication of the New Chapel by:

The Bishop of Southampton Rt. Rev. John Perry

Representative of R.C. Church Father Felix Muscatt

Representative of Free Churches Rev. R Cook and

Cannon James Clarke

Also on the 29th October 1995 The Bournemouth Deaf Centre was officially opened by
The worshipful The Mayor of Bournemouth Mrs. Pamela Harris.
June 1996. Bournemouth Deaf Society awarded Forty thousand pounds
from Lottery Fund
September 1996. Snooker Table rebuilt.
November 1996. New Chairs and Tables delivered.
November 1996. Building New Bar commenced.
December 1996. New Large screen TV delivered.
February 1997. New Pool table delivered.
June 1997. New security camera installed.
July 1997. New curtains for the Main Hall arrives.
October 1997. New Folding Tables purchased.
December 1997. New Air Conditioning system installed.
February 1998. New computer and office equipment purchased.
July 1999. New computer Laptop purchased.
November 1999. New Gas Boiler installed for the first floor.
December 1999. Stairlift installed for easy access to first floor.