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and went to Margate, but the party sent in May 1958 and numbering
92, went to Heme Bay.
It had been suggested for some time that possibly some elderly
people would like a change of venue for their holiday, particularly
that we were now able to offer some a second financially assisted
holiday. We circularised many seaside resorts along the Kent and
Sussex coasts, and from those resorts which operate a special scheme
for old people, Herne Bay offered the best terms, in addition to
extending their period until the 14th June. On the whole, the
reports which have reached us from those people who were included
in the May Holiday Party, appear to have been favourable and so
we have given instructions for reservations to be made at Heme Bay
for the September Holiday Party.
We have now been able to include for a second financially
assisted holiday those who went away previously with the September
1953 and May 1954 Holiday Parties. We shall now commence
sending away for a second such holiday those who went with the
September 1954 party, but as these numbered 240, it must be appreciated
that it will take some time before all those persons who wish
to go away for a second holiday can be accommodated.
We know that these holidays are appreciated by all the old
people who are able to be included and we are sure that they benefit
both in health and by making new friends and acquaintances. We
would like to thank the Women's Voluntary Service helpers who
travel on the coaches with the old people, and also to the drivers of
Lewis (Greenwich) Ltd. for all they do to assist our old people to
have a comfortable and enjoyable journey.
Christmas Food Parcels.—Once again we were able to distribute
food parcels to homebound elderly persons at Christmas from a grant
made to us by the Borough Council. The numbers of such persons
on our list increases each year, and the Committee felt that there
might be a possibility that persons who were not strictly homebound
were included on the list. The Committee therefore, with the
help of leaders of the Darby & Joan and other old people's clubs
within the Borough, sifted through the lists most diligently.
Members of the Committee then visited old people personally to
ascertain as to their degree of physical incapacity, and when finally
collated, the list then numbered approximately 350.
The Committee felt that as the contents of the parcels have been
identical for the past three years, to try to improve the parcel to give
a greater feeling of the festive spirit. Accordingly the following
ingredients were purchased and packed by members of the Committee
—Tea, Biscuits, Christmas Pudding, Tin of Fruit Salad, Tin of Cream,