WALES' 16th Purple Plaque was unveiled in recognition of remarkable woman who became a pioneer of British Sign Language (BSL) poetry and a playwright.
The plaque was unveiled during a well-attended ceremony on April 26 at 27 Westbourne Avenue, Rhyl.
This was Dorothy (‘Dot’) Miles's former childhood home.
It is now owned by Christine Potts and her partner Duncan Nield-Siddall. It is also the former home of North Wales wedding photographer Jolene Roberts.
Dorothy is described as a ‘legend’ of the deaf community in the UK. She was a pioneer of deaf poetry which she wrote and signed in her own flamboyant style and her work is said to have laid the foundations for the modern sign language poetry art form in both the UK and the US.
Dorothy’s niece, Liz Deverill, who attended the unveiling, said: “Knowing that she is so well-known and respected, not just in the UK, but beyond, makes us feel immensely proud as a family.
"I particularly admired her desire for the deaf community to realise they could succeed in whatever they wanted to do. She was passionate about that.”
Dorothy became deaf after contracting meningitis as a child. She attended the Manchester School for Deaf children and in her 20s she won a scholarship to Gallaudet University in Washington DC (the leading American university for the education of deaf and hard-of-hearing people).
She went on to have a career in the arts, performing with the US National Theatre for the deaf making a splash wherever they toured.
After 20 years in the US, Dorothy returned to the UK to make a huge impact in the deaf community being the first woman to write and perform her deaf poetry (‘sign poetry’) and helping to popularise British Sign Language with her theatrical flair.
Jolene, who attended the unveiling, said: "We lived at 27 Westbourne Avenue, Rhyl from 1983 and finally sold up in 2006. It was always a happy house and in a great location so close to the beach and lake, I think my mum (Julie Homer, who has passed away) would love the idea that it has been recognised as home to remarkable women as we were an all girl household with mum and three sisters - Katie, myself and Anna.
"Anna is friends with Christine’s son, the lady who now owns number 27, and she first saw photos of house on Facebook. From there, Christine and Duncan have been so warm and welcoming and we’ve visited them before to chat in the garden but this was the first time we’ve been in. They’ve put so much heart into the house, it’s beautifully decorated but essentially still the same.
"When Anna and I went in, we were both desperate to see our old bedroom - it was mine first, then hers but you know how it is with sisters.
"It’s great to see how happy Christine and Duncan are there and it’s good to know that 27 has a fantastic history."
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Duncan said: "There was an absolutely amazing turn out for the unveiling. There were tv cameras everywhere, it was such a success, and we met some truly wonderful, genuine people.
"There were some people in attendance from the deaf society and we met some of Dorothy's family."
Sue Essex, chair of Purple Plaques Wales, said: “Dorothy’s legacy is still celebrated today in the deaf community but she is not well known in the hearing world. By unveiling a Purple Plaque for her we hope to change this.
"She overcame difficulties in life to have a lasting impact - she is the true definition of a remarkable woman and a worthy recipient of a Purple Plaque.”
Dorothy was prescribed medication after a severe bipolar episode in 1977. On the night of January 29 1993, she tried to contact the Samaritans using a special communicator but the line was too busy. At about 2am on January 30 she jumped from the window of her London flat. The coroner’s court concluded that “she took her own life while depressed”.
The Dorothy Miles Cultural Centre (DMCC) was established in her memory. From it grew Dot Sign Language, a not-for-profit organisation aiming to improve communication and understanding between deaf and hearing people.
The story behind Dorothy’s Purple Plaque came to light thanks to the History Points organisation which had installed a QR code on her former home.
HistoryPoints founder Rhodri Clark said: “We have provided QR codes to accompany many of the Purple Plaques, so that further information about the woman commemorated is available on the spot.
"This is the first time a Purple Plaque has followed our installation of QR codes, and it’s a pleasure to see Dorothy receiving this recognition for her remarkable achievements.”
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