PRESTEIGNE Carnival is taking place this Saturday. 

Sited on Wentes Meadow at the top end of the town, the carnival begins at 12.45pm with carnival floats and walking or cycling fancy-dress parade from John Beddoes School, processing up the High Street to Wentes Meadow, where the festivities begin. 

Katy Smith is entering a group float in the carnival with her group of signing home educators. They will have a float with an Alice in Wonderland Mad Hatters Tea Party theme. 

Katy's son, Padraig, was born on September 7 last year. He was born profoundly deaf.

Katy said: "Investigations are ongoing and he wears aids but he hears nothing as far as we can see.

"We have two other children, Bellatrix and Rex, who we home-educate.

"We wanted to learn sign language as quickly as possible so we could talk with our boy and teach others as we went.

"With the help of a great woman, Samantha Price (who actually had the idea), we set up a home education group where we all sign.

"We're the first one I know of. Whitton Shed (signing home educators) now has many members who are all learning sign language."

There are two qualified signers, Katie Evans and Kirsty Hodgson Caine, who attend each week.

Katy added: "Sign language is so much fun and so easy to learn, the children are excellent signers learning through songs and games and the adults are super too."