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proposals for the whole of their area. Whilst existing services run by voluntary
organisations will become the responsibility of the County Council, the Minister has
suggested that health authorities may decide that a continuation of the voluntary
clinics with appropriate financial assistance might be the most acceptable way of
meeting the needs of old people for some time to come.
Social Clubs
Old People's Clubs in the Borough now number 11, 6 of which are run by the W. V.S.,
2 by Bishop Creighton House and the remainder by other local voluntary organisations.
All the clubs receive some measure of financial assistance from the Council towards
their expenses in providing recreation. Their weekly meetings continue to be well
attended and apart from the companionship which the meetings in themselves offer,
there are always interesting activities for the members to look forward to in the way
of outings, parties and Christmas celebrations. One W. V. S. Club which started a
Choir last year gained first place in a choir competition organised as part of the
Bethnal Green Festival of Art, and were proud to receive a silver cup as prize.
Throughout the year nearly all the clubs were visited by the Mayor and Mayoress
(Alderman and Mrs. L. G. Fenton) who took a keen interest in their activities.
Holiday Scheme
Now in its tenth year this scheme is as popular as ever in offering a good cheap
holiday to those over 60 years of age. The number of pensioners who participated in
the early and late summer schemes and the charges therefor are shown below:-
Charge for Return Number who
Accommodation per week Fare Participated
September, 1958 £3 13s. 6d. 15s. 79
May/June, 1959 £3 17s. 6d. 15s. 114
The holiday party, despite the holiday period chosen, which incidentally enables
them to enjoy much reduced charges, are rarely disappointed with the weather and the
September period was no exception. The Committee co-operates closely with the
Broadstairs Urban District Council in the allocation of suitable holiday accommodation
at boarding houses and the party enjoys several concessions such as free use of deck
chairs, reduced rates of admission to entertainments, etc. One great advantage of
this scheme is that the pensioners are taken direct to and from their holiday
addresses by coach and receive assistance if required by voluntary escorts.
Christmas Activities
The ninth successive Christmas Dinner and Party was provided for 150 lonely
pensioners who were guests of the Mayor and Mayoress (Alderman and Mrs. L. G. Penton)
on Boxing Day. The expenses of the party, which amounted to approximately £80 were
borne by the Mayor out of his Charity Fund. The names of the guests were selected
from those submitted by 16 local organisations.
With the aid of a grant from the Mayor, the Committee this year was able to extend
its scheme for issuing parcels to housebound old people in the Borough and a total of
170 was delivered a few days before Christmas by a local scout group. Here again the
names of those who received parcels were selected from those recommended by local
organisations including churches.
The Committee's thanks were expressed to the many helpers who gave up some of
their Christmas holiday to enable these activities to be carried out successfully.