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anticipated that approximately 50 meals per sitting, from Monday
to Friday, can now be served as compared with the estimated number
of 30 when the club was being planned. Frequently over 60 meals
are served per day.
Members are encouraged to assist as much as possible in
running the club. There is no shortage of volunteers to wash up,
serve meals or prepare tea during the afternoon, and it is evident
they appreciate the fact that good quality plates, cruets, cutlery, &c.,
do much to enhance the enjoyment of a meal. In fact they are so
anxious to help that some tact is needed when, at times, the number
of willing helpers has, of necessity, to be reduced.
As many entertainments as possible are arranged during the
afternoon. The Council's Entertainments Officer has been most
co-operative in this respect, and arrangements have also been made
with the Libraries Department for films to be shown once a fortnight
during the winter months. Community singing is greatly enjoyed
and members of the staff have often given their spare time to play
the piano for the old people. During the summer, members paid
for a coach to visit the seaside, the cost of tea and lunch being met
from a fund organised by the staff, in co-operation with the club
members, to raise money by selling jumble and other articles which
are donated. The Club Leader is always willing to accept small
contributions from the members so that, when outings are arranged,
a sum of money is available to help meet the cost. Insofar as the
old people who attend the club are concerned, it would appear that
while, like nearly everyone else, they would not be unappreciative
of an increased income, shortage of money is not one of their main
worries.
A visit was also made to a Women's Institute where members
were invited to tea, shown the surrounding countryside and entertained
during the evening. The club members reciprocated by
inviting a number of members of the Women's Institute to Bermondsey
where they were received by the Mayor and shown the
regalia and the Council Chamber. After a visit to the Norwegian
Church they were entertained to tea at the club where they joined in
community singing. These mutual visits were enjoyed very much
and it is hoped to repeat them during the following year.
In October, the girls of Fawcett House at the Aylwin School
decided to adopt the Municipal Club as it is one of their objects to
assist some local social activity. They subsequently decided to pay
for relay wireless to be installed on the premises and three receivers
are in operation. This service is very much appreciated, particularly
by employees in the workrooms who enjoy "Music While You
Work" programmes.
A Harvest Festival was also organised by the Headmistress of
Laxon Street School and pupils were invited to bring gifts of tea and
packed groceries. These gifts were presented to the Municipal
Club in such quantities that it will be possible for the members