Bramford pub offers free sign language classes to local residents

A village pub is offering free British Sign Language (BSL) classes for the local community.

The Bramford Cock in Bramford, Suffolk, holds two classes at the pub every other Monday.

Landlady Teresa Brinkley had the idea after speaking with hearing-impaired customer, David.

She said: "I've wanted to do it for a little while... We sort of railroaded him into helping teach us some of the basics."

David, who lives in the village, has been hearing impaired since birth and wears two hearing aids.

"[Teresa] approached me to see if I knew anything about sign language, which I did, and she asked if I'd run a basic sign language course," he said.

Twelve people turned up for the first session about six weeks ago, and David taught them how to finger spell the alphabet and say simple phrases, such as 'good morning'.

To David's surprise, the group swiftly mastered their first lesson.

"They picked this up within the week, so I had to quickly jump to lesson three," he said.

Ms Brinkley said she practises with the village residents, adding: "When someone asks for a drink, I literally sign it all out and then try to teach them before I actually pour it."

The landlady has since welcomed more class attendees: "It's just for an hour, it's a relaxed environment... then we just sit there and chat, and practise is all."

David said: "If they'd had sign language when I was at school growing up, it would've made my life a lot easier."

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