In photos: Sign-language led BUP! Festival for deaf families in Chatham, Kent!

The second BUP festival took place at the end of April, this time held at the Historic Dockyard Chatham in Kent.

The event was sign-language led with deaf children and adults attending from across the country. Activities included art, music, drama, street performances and D-Live!’s performance of the play The Little Prince.

The event was organised by co-founders and directors Christopher Sacre and Steve Vevers-Webb.

Christopher said: “We’re still smiling after an incredible day at the first ever sign language-led BUP! Festival at the Historic Dockyard Chatham! We were so pleased to see so many families, friends, and community members coming together and truly enjoying themselves. From the buzzing workshops to the magical Little Prince by D-Live!, it was a day full of joy, creativity and connection. Thank you to everyone who made it so special—we can’t wait to do it all again in April 2027!”

Photos from the day can be seen below, taken by this site’s editor Charlie Swinbourne, who said: “it was an amazing day, and you could tell the kids (and parents) loved being able to do so many activities and be creative together. What made it even better was seeing a range of deaf role models, including the musicians, actors, artists, to inspire all the kids. I loved photographing it!”

Co-founders Christopher Sacre (in the blue shirt) and Steve Vevers-Webb give the team a pep talk before visitors arrive

Artist Becky Bailey (giving the thumbs up!) welcomes the first family to the art workshops

The audience settle in for a performance of D-Live!’s The Little Prince, starring deaf actors Alex Nowak (wearing goggles below) and Ciaran O’Breen (with the green scarf)

The music activities were led by Audiovisibility, with deaf musicians Ruth Montgomery, Miriam Dubois (drums) and Alicia Wiseman (on violin)

Surrounding the event were incredible boats and buildings from the Historic Dockyards, seen above

The drama workshops were run by Mary-Jayne Russell de Clifford

Street performances were by Stephen Robinson (left) and David Sands

At the end of the day, the team got together for some group photos…

Christopher Sacre with Mary-Jayne Russell De Clifford

The Audiovisibility musicians and festival volunteers with some of the deaf families at the end of the day

The Little Prince team, including co-founders Christopher and Steve, Mary-Jayne, actors and interpreters

Find out more about D-Live! here.