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The branch club opened at St. Martin's Church Hall, Kensal Rise, in January, 1955, meets every
Wednesday afternoon from 2-4 p.m. The club is self-supporting but the Association pays the rent of the hall.
Members went for two day-trips in the summer to Hastings and Littlehampton. Two golden wedding parties
and a tea party were held. Members who were ill were visited in their own homes or in hospital by the
secretary and members.
The Willesden Division of the British Red Cross Society, the Women's Voluntary Services, religious
and other organisations in the area run clubs for old folk and their members visit them in their homes.
The meals on wheels service, organised by the Women's Voluntary Services, is probably the most
important service for old people. 5,764 meals were prepared and delivered from the headquarters of the
organisation at 7 High Road, N.W.10, compared with 4,775 in 1956. Only two meals a week are supplied
to each person ; the aim is to give a hot meal to old people five days a week in all parts of the borough. To
extend the service would require a substantial sum of money, which is not yet available, but consultations
with the Council may result in the provision of another vehicle for delivering meals, two food containers, and
individual meals dishes.
Unfortunately, the Women's Voluntary Services had to close the Old Folks Morning and Luncheon
Club in January, 1957, because the Presbyterian Hall, Granville Road, was acquired by the local education
authority. The Council, however, is hoping with the aid of a grant from the King George V Foundation to
establish a non-residential club for old people on a site which is owned by the authority at the corner of
Mortimer and College Roads. Discussions with the Women's Voluntary Services are proceeding on the basis
that the capital cost will be subsidised by the Council, who will also bear the running and maintenance costs,
in addition to providing the site at a nominal rent. The club will provide facilities for meals and recreation,
and the preparation of meals for distribution through the meals on wheels service.
BURIAL OF THE DEAD
In accordance with the provisions of section 50 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, arrangements
were made for the burial of eleven persons during the year. This cost £137.4.8 of which £24.1.1 was
recovered from relatives.
PUBLIC MORTUARY
Post-mortems were performed on 450 bodies, followed by an inquest in 95.
60 inquests were held on Willesden residents but only 20 of these were held in the Coroner's Court
attached to the mortuary. The remainder were held at Ealing.

LICENSING OF HAWKERS
Hawkers of food and premises used by them for storage accommodation must be registered by the
Council (section 11 of the Middlesex County Council Act, 1950). 23 licences have been issued to hawkers
(19 selling fruit and vegetables, 3 selling fish and 1 selling miscellaneous foods). There were no new
licences issued in 1957.
COMMON LODGING HOUSES
There are now no common lodging houses in the district registered under section 237 of the Public
Health Act, 1936.
SLAUGHTERHOUSE LICENCES
There are now no slaughterhouses in the district licensed under section 62 of the Food and Drugs
Act, 1955. Slaughtering was last carried out in the borough in 1939 ; one licence was, however, renewed
until 1955.