Harrogate’s Mayor’s Christmas Carol Concert will feature a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter for the first time.
Harrogate Town Council will employ a professional interpreter to convey both the spoken words and music as part of its work to make local events more accessible.
Councillor Josie Caven, who has helped drive improvements for the deaf community, said the move would give more residents the opportunity to enjoy the event.
She told Your Harrogate:
“When I became a councillor, a couple of months in, I realised that the deaf community doesn't have access to the council and also doesn't have access to any events that anyone else would naturally enjoy.
“It's really about true inclusion and including the deaf community. They haven't had this before, sadly, and I think that's why I wanted to become a councillor.”
Cllr Caven explained that interpreting a musical performance goes beyond signing the lyrics.
She said:
“Music is slightly different. It's not just interpreting the spoken words. When it comes into music, you've actually got to incorporate the message of the music, the emotion and the energy, and you've got to incorporate that into the movement and signing.
“It is so cool. Honestly, the lady they've got, she's going to do a fantastic job.”
For Cllr Caven, the importance of accessible events is also personal.
She recalled attending a captioned pantomime at Harrogate Theatre a couple of years ago, having not realised when booking that captions would be available.
She said:
“I sobbed. So I'm 30 years old, sobbing, to actually be able to understand the pantomime.
“I think even I forget how much I missed and how much I stay away from events. That's why having a BSL interpreter at the Mayor's concert is so vital, because we really do forget how the deaf community is excluded.
“And I think even sometimes they just accept it. And that's not okay. We need to do more than that.”
Earlier this year, Harrogate Town Council introduced BSL videos on its website, interpreted by deaf BSL interpreter Joanna Swinbourne.
The videos help residents understand the council’s work, access information about its services and find out how to get involved.
Cllr Caven explained that BSL is a language in its own right, with its own grammar and structure. Written English can therefore present barriers for some BSL users, particularly when information includes complex language or council jargon.
She thanked council staff and Joanna Swinbourne for helping to make the project happen.
Accessibility improvements are also being made at the council’s Bonfire Night event, including accessible changing rooms and toilets.
The council is gathering feedback in person and through a survey to understand what else residents need, with further projects being developed for 2027.
Encouraging people to share their ideas and experiences, Cllr Caven said:
“We've all got to learn. I've got to learn. Sometimes I don't quite understand what another disabled community needs or how they need to be approached.
“So we're all here to learn and to understand and take on board what they have to say and what they want.”
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