Dorothy Miles

What a lovely occasion it was in Westbourne Avenue on Friday afternoon. Crowds were there to watch the unveiling of a Purple Plaque to celebrate the life and work of Dorothy Miles.

People will have noticed “History Points” plaques, with their QR codes, at various locations in Rhyl and the whole of Wales. It was Rhodri Clark, founder of History Points, who first knocked on the door of 27, Westbourne Avenue to ask residents, Duncan and Christine, if he could place a HP plaque on their gatepost.

Rhodri went on the nominate Dorothy Miles for a Purple Plaque. Purple Plaques aims to shine a light on women’s achievements by improving the recognition of remarkable women in Wales. The nomination was successful. 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”

Dorothy “Dot” Miles was a pioneer of BSL (British Sign Language) poetry and a playwright. To read all about Dorothy’s achievements, see her story on History Points.

Photographs above show Left: Lr-Rt Sue Essex, Christine and Duncan, Right. Lt-Rt Sue Essex, Liz Deverill and Rhodri Clark

We heard inspiring speeches from Lesley Griffiths, MS for Wrexham and Minister for Culture and Social Justice, and from Dorothy’s niece Liz Deverill who told us that Dorothy had written “the stretch of golden sands at the seaside resort of Rhyl, my first remembered home.”

We all then retired to Rhyl Bowling Club (established 1902) for refreshments. Many thanks to them for their warm hospitality.
Thanks also to Rhodri for all the good work he does with History Points.