Unfortunately, there are no known records of the development of the deaf club from March 1897 to December 1929.

1930

January
There were 17 members on the Executive committee of the Deaf and Dumb mission at the Institute of 3 Portland Square, including two retired lieutenant commanders and 12 ladies.

March
Mr. Blount's salary was increased by £5. Per year.
December It was stated that the missionary, Mr. Blount had been travelling around Cornwall once a month for nearly 30 years.

1931

May
The number of committee members had been increased to 20 including 4 vice presidents.
Miss Benson decided to retire as head of Sunday school at the Institute after 25 years.

October
Miss Goss, Headmistress of the Hartley house school for the deaf joined the committee.

1932 - 1935
The sale of works i.e. clothes etc. to raise funds for the Institute, was very, popular, and was organized by the missionary’s wife, Mrs. Blount.

November

A girl guides troop was formed at the Institute.

November
Mr. Blount wished to resign as the superintendent and missionary. Due to ill health after a motorcycle accident. An advert was placed for a new missionary in the church times and teachers of the deaf.

December
Mr. William Archer, from Pontypridd, South Wales, was chosen from 36 applicants, as the new superintendent and missionary, to start in January 1933, on a 3-month probationary period. He was recommended by the registrar of the joint examination board, Mr. Lesley Edward's of the BDDA

1933

February
Mr. Archer's proposal for the deaf members to play whist drive at the Institute was turned down with "raised eyebrows" by the committee, who saw it as gambling.

April
Over 60 deaf members made a petition that they wanted Mr. Gilpin (his son was deaf) to be elected onto the committee, all accepted.
Mr. Archer found out about more deaf people living in the Plymouth area through other deaf members, and encouraged them to come to the Institute.
A book containing the addresses of the deaf population of Plymouth was to be formed, It was suggested to approach the deaf school for further information.

July
The new missionary, Mr. Archer, was threatened with the sack when the committee disagreed with his idea of a social life for the members, i.e. for more games and less deeply religious activities. Mr. Gilpin and the deaf members stood up for Mr. Archer. The committee then decided to retain him.

November
The officers of the committee were; President Mr. P. White. Vice President Archdeacon Whiffield Dawkes, Bishop of Plymouth. Secretary Mrs. C. Spooner (her husband owned the Spooner & Co. store, now known as Debenham). Lieutenant Commander B. Bucknall RN (retired). 21 persons, including Mr Goss, (Headmistress of Hartley house school for the deaf) Mrs. Goad, (her husband was deaf), and a vicar. Also Mr. Archer (missionary).

1934

January
Mr. P. White the President, spoke with appreciation of the kindly way Mr. Archer helped at the Mutley Baptist tea party for poor children on boxing day.

1935

April
The first Holy Communion was given for the deaf in the evening of Easter day.
Miss Goss, Headmistress of the deaf school told the committee that the number of deaf children in the school now numbered 35.

July
Below is an extract of a paper cutting from the Daily Gazette regarding the holy communion for the deaf.
Care of Deaf And Dumb In West
SPIRITUL NEEDS
Bishop of Exeter's Spirited Defence
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BY OUR LONDON REPRESENTATIVE
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The Bishop of Exeter made a spirited reply at the Church Assembly yesterday to a statement in a report on the spiritual care of the deaf and dumb, that in the diocese of Exeter "the state of affairs (in his respect) is unsatisfactory."
The report was that of a central advisory council presided over by the Bishop of Portsmouth, who said that it would be a good thing if southern dioceses could bring their activities for the deaf and dumb to the level of those of the dioceses of the northern province.
In addition to describing in general terms he state of the diocese of Exeter, Truro Southwell and Worcester as unsatisfactory, the report stated that in Exeter and Truro (as in five other dioceses), no provision was made for Holy Communion for the deaf and dumb.
DEAF MUTE MISSIONS.
It was agreed, however to that Exeter was one of the two dioceses in the southern province with more care than one mission for deaf mutes.
Lord William Cecil said that his diocese was reflected upon "a little unfairly." He denied that the spiritual needs of the deaf and dumb were overlooked in the diocese. In fact the work of looking after the spiritual needs of these people was well supported and very successful, even if it was "hopelessly irregular."
It was impossible in such a diocese to conform with a standard set up from London, and he knew that London could not bear irregular ways, but it was often found that the best church work in the country was, in fact, thoroughly irregular. Our work among the deaf and dumb, said the Bishop, is typical of what such work should be.
The report was received

September
An emergency meeting was held regarding the approval of £30 to £50 for the roof repairs. A letter was read from Mr. Pengelly about the members disapproval of Mr. Rowe using the Portland Square club for his tailoring business, It was agreed to ask Mr. Rowe to find alternative premises within a month.

1936

July
A special meeting was held regarding the investment of between £1800 -£1900 as a war loan, at 31ž2% interest. The elected trustee's were Lieutenant Commander B. Bucknall RN. (Retired). Miss Waldron and Mr. Edward Wright.
The missionary reported that 34 deaf members went to Bideford, Lynton and Lynmouth on an excursion, also an evening trip onto the moor.

October
The result of the first "Flag day" raised £112 where at least 30 of the members raised much of the money by their own efforts.

1937

July
The first legacy of £100 was donated to the Deaf and Dumb Institute from the late Mr. W. Jinkin.
The Lord Mayor of Plymouth visited the mission at 3. Portland Square.
Mr. Harold Rowe (deaf) took over the work of Mr. & Mrs. Archer during their illness for some weeks.

October
Mr. Archer turned down a job as missionary in Bradford and decided to remain in Plymouth after the committee increased his salary.
1938

May
The BDDA helped with the purchase of a projector and screen for use in th mission.
The committee discussed the idea of air raid precaution (A.R.P.) shelters in the Portland Square park with 6 entrances, in preparation of the impending war with Germany.
The number of copies of the "Silent World" magazine was reduced from 500 to 400.
The premises at 3 Portland Square was renamed 'The Mission House".

1939

September
The committee were informed that a room at the mission is to be used by the A.R.P. wardens who had expressed a wish to make a subscription of 15/- a week (75 pence) towards heat and lighting.
Mr. Archer became an A.R.P. warden, with a wage of £3 per week, but the matter was raised whether Mr. Archer was entitled to keep the A.R.P. wage for himself or if he should share it with the mission, The Treasurer was of the pinion that Mr. Archer worked hard in his own time without neglecting the mission, and therefore should keep the money for himself. This was unanimously supported.

1940

January
Mr. Archer reported that he has now relinquished his duties as a full time AR.P. warden to part time voluntary work.

March
A report was made that the deaf members preferred to continue their church services at the Institute rather than at St. Andrews or St. Luke’s churches.

May
The Reverend J.G. Veysey joined the committee on his return from the north of England due to ill health. (His son, Rev. Veysey, later became a chaplain in Bath in the 1960's).

1941

August
The committee showed great interest in Mr. Archer's comments at the way thE deaf had reacted to the air raids and the terrors of the war.

1943

January
The chairman Mr. Percival White, informed the committee that the children C the Hartley House school for the deaf had been evacuated to Brent Moo House, Shipley Bridge, 3 miles from South Brent. And it was considered that these children now residing in such remoteness, should be catered for in the way of special entertainment, films and a conjurer were suggested.

August
The question of vacancies on the committee was again raised, due to the war, with at least 2 vicars to be involved on the committee.
In view of the need for economy, both in paper and finance, no annual report would be printed, but the chairman promised to let the missionary have a dozen typewritten copies of the statement of accounts.

1945

August
The missionary’s salary was increased by £30 p.a. to £205 per annum.

1948

July
The committee passed a grant of £7.00 towards the expenses of a spec church service at St. Matthias church where the bishop of Plymouth would speak to the deaf people of Devon and Cornwall, and then to tea, and also some entertainment in the Pitt's memorial hall.

November
The annual Flag Day's were discontinued.

1949

March
Mr. Archer presented his report regarding the film "Johnny Belinda" which had seen shown at the cinema and which must have been a revelation to the many people who had seen it, and also nearly 10,000 copies of a pamphlet had been circulated at the Royal cinema, and it was felt that this would have a bearing on public interest in the deaf.

June
A donation of £100 to the mission funds was received from the Sunday cinema fund.

November
Mr. Archer told the committee that he had trained four deaf men who were now capable of conducting a service for the deaf, and that they were willing to help when needed. These were Messrs. Poll, Pengelly, Tucker and Stacey.

1950

October
The missionary sold his car and resorted to using public transport until he bought "James" motorcycle.

1951

March
The committee discussed plans to extend the rear of the Institute of Portland Square, to include a billiards room and a toilet; the estimated cost of the work would be £1000. (Note, A few years later the committee were told that the whole property would be demolished to make way for a Technical college, (Now the University of Plymouth))

September
The missionary had secured some chairs from the government surplus stores, 6 chairs at 1 2/6p (621ž2p) each and 2 armchairs at £1.00 each
It was around this time, the committee and deaf members started to look for new mission, some properties looked at were at Baring street, Greenbank, Endsliegh Place and the Lord Mayors parlour in Portland Villas.

1952

July
An appeal was made for new premises including a poster outside the Institute stating "SITE OF THE NEW PREMISES OF THE PLYMOUTH & DISTRICT MISSION & INSTITUTE FOR THE DEAF & DUMB. DONATIONS TO LLOYDS BANK'.

1953

May
A special meeting was held with an agreement to abandon the new building at Baring Street owing to lack of funds. There was a dispute with the £800 fee of the architect, Mr. Vanstone, which was then reduced to £500. Mr. Vanstone then resigned as a member of the committee.

1955

September
Flag day re-introduced, resulting in a collection of £125.13/7p (£1 25.671/2p)
The missionary reported that he had made 60 visits to deaf people in their horn and some in hospital, in the past two months.

1956

March
The missionary was kept busy conducting 3 funeral's and interpreting at a wedding, he had made a visit to a deaf man in Exeter prison, he also gave assistance during an interview with the principal of the Plymouth art school.

1957

May
Evening classes in English and lip reading held during the winter had proved successful.

1958

November
The committee decided to sell the site at Baring Street and decided not to wait for the compulsory purchase order (6-12 months) for a site at Caxton House, in Mutley.

1959

May
Mr. Douglas Camp (deaf) was appointed onto the executive committee.

1960

September
It was decided to sell the beach hut at Bovisand due to increased bus fares and other transport problems. (It is understood the beach hut was used by deaf members for about 5 years)

1961

May
The Bovisand hut was sold for £130. And this money was put into a separate account for the furnishings of the new premises.

1962

January
The purchasing of the premises at 'Weston Lodge", Seymour Road, was in progress, The committee decided to rename the building "BLAKE LODGE" in deference of Mr. Bernard Blake, who left a legacy which helped to purchase the property.
The official title would be retained viz. "Plymouth and District Mission and Institute for the deaf and dumb"
A deaf architect, Mr. Cochrane, had agreed to draw up plans and designs of the premises; a model of the proposed building was made, to assist deaf craftsmen in the renovation works.
Plans put forward were;
The basement would be used as a workshop, photography club and a gym.
The ground floor area to have a chapel, missionary office and a canteen/cafe.
The first floor, 2 lounges for use by the deaf and the missionary’s flat.
The hut (now the main hall) to have a billiards and table tennis tables.

May
The committee agreed to make two self contained flats at the premises, each having a living room and two bedrooms, a kitchen and a bathroom, one for the missionary and the other flat for the resident caretaker/cleaner.
The secretary mentioned that people were objecting to the word "Dumb" on the notice board outside the building, and asked if the word could be omitted. This was agreed.

November
No.3 Portland Square was sold to Plymouth Corporation for £2500. The annual grants were increased to the expenses of Blake Lodge, and were as follows; Plymouth C.C. = £500 to £850. Devon C.C. = £50 to £85.
The Earl of Devon (of Powderham Castle) agreed to become one of the patrons, and sent a donation of 5 guineas as a deed of covenant.
Lord Boyd's appeal on the BBC home service, south west on Sunday 3rd March 1962 realized £61 2-4/7p. (£61 2.23p) to date Including £50 from Lord Boyd, He had done a great deal of preparatory work for his script, visiting Blake Lodge twice and taking a keen interest in the organization of the centre. He was also a patron of the Blake Lodge deaf centre, he and his wife showed a lot of interest in deaf activities, and always kept in touch with the members. He was made president of the Burwood Park old boys society. Lord Boyd was tragically killed, crossing a road in London in the 1980's.

1964

January
The chairman, Mrs. Childs, who lived next door to Blake Lodge, was very strict in the way she ordered the mission to keep a daily logbook of the missioners private car mileage, giving date and purpose of mission use also to keep the register of the deaf: (173 deaf people in the Plymouth area). The chairman asked for a copy of the list and said she wanted the missionary to visit all the people who did not attend the centre. If necessary, she would see them afterwards herself!

February
The committee had decided that the mission should remain un-denominated, instead of becoming Anglican through the bishop of Exeter. And agreed to ask the bishop of Plymouth to dedicate the chapel.