BSA Open Days are held around the country with the aim of publicising self-help opportunities for people who stammer and local therapy services. Dave Burton reports on the Hull Open Day.

A very open day. Good food and hospitality set the scene for new friendships to be made at the Open Day and weekend. The Sunday Socials group organised this party in the evening.

The Hull and East Yorkshire Stammerers Self-Help Group held their second Open Day on Saturday 16th October 2004 at the Endsleigh Centre, Beverley Road, Hull.

Local MP the Hon Kevin McNamara opened the day with an entertaining talk on the need to prepare for such speeches and the difficulties when plan B and plan C have to be adopted. He also included quotes from Shakespeare into his oratory which was received with rapturous applause.

Rachel Albert from London, who had brought many members of her Sunday Social group to Hull for the weekend, spoke briefly about the telephone link scheme. After a coffee break the morning was rounded of with a talk from Norbert Lieckfeldt, Chief Executive of the BSA.

Local speech and language therapists gave a lovely presentation of the service provided by the Hull & East Yorkshire health service.

After a wonderful buffet provided by the Hull Group (often said to have been the best part of the day), Judi Murden, a radio journalist from BBC Radio Humberside opened the afternoon timetable and spoke of the different and embarrassing situations, as a journalist, she has found herself in. She said that while she may appear calm and confident to the listener, plenty of courage was often needed to just stand up in the first place. She described herself as having a 'face for the radio' - a journalistic licence I would suggest.

Several workshops were held including 'Don't hold back' by Andrew Hodge 'Free yourself from stammering' by George Campbell and 'Unlocking self expression' by Simon Zipperlen.

A magnificent array of prizes were raffled, and along with several items auctioned £130 was raised.

The event was attended by 70 delegates and it culminated with a question and answer session. Finally and by no means the least, the day was brought to a close with a splendid song by Nara Miranda who had travelled to Hull for the weekend with Rachel Albert - X Factor watch out!

At this moment in time, it will be at least a couple of years before another open day in Hull is held or even contemplated, due to the intense organisation and preparation involved. Thanks for this goes to secretary Peter Kissagizlis, and members of the group including Mike Coates, George Campbell, Terry Turner, Andrew Saunders, the work-shoppers, the delegates attending and myself, Dave Burton.

Dave Burton is Chair of the Hull and East Yorkshire Stammerers Self-Help Group, and was the host for the Hull Open Day.

See also:
Sunday Socials Hull weekend
Hull Open Day 2002

Internet link
Hull and East Yorkshire Stammerers Self-Help Group: www.speakingout.org.uk