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98
With the assistance of a considerably increased grant from the
Greenwich Borough Council, two parties each comprising 154
persons (amongst whom were a number of invalids) spent a fortnight's
holiday at Clacton during this period and a considerable
number of letters have been received praising the accommodation
and the services provided. On the whole the weather proved kind
and everyone appears to have thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
The Worshipful the Mayor accompanied by the Chairman and
a member of the Executive Committee visited the first holiday party
on the 14th May and reported that, having met the majority of
old people, not one complaint had been received. Members of
the Committee travelled with the coaches and acted as escort and
in view of the reports which have been submitted we have reserved
the same accommodation for the period 3rd—31st May, 1963.
At the last annual meeting we reported having been informed
that accommodation at Lancing reserved for invalid holidays was
being sold for development. However, the sale did not materialise
and we have been fortunate in being able to reserve accommodation
for 32 invalids to spend a fortnight's holiday there during the period
2nd June—14th July. Each party will travel in two Minibuses.
For the benefit of new members of the Assocation we would
state that these invalid persons are accommodated in a bungalow
where all the rooms are on ground floor level, with gardens overlooking
the sea. No nursing attention is given, but there are many
additional facilities to those found at an ordinary boarding house
which help physically handicapped persons to have an enjoyable
holiday.
We would like to record here our thanks to the Greenwich
Borough Council for the considerable grant which they make
towards the cost of this service and also to the drivers and escorts
for volunteering to look after our invalids on the outward and
homeward journeys.
Dinner and Tea Parties for the Homebound—In last year's
report we drew attention to a Christmas Tea Party which had been
arranged for 41 homebound persons in the Minor Hall. This
venture proved so successful that 40 homebound persons were
brought to the Minor Hall on the 5th October, 1961, for a tea party
and a further 30 on the 2nd April, 1962, for a dinner followed on
each occasion by entertainment. The 70 elderly invalids who
attended on these occasions were all unable to take advantage of
the normal services provided by the Association and many letters
expressing appreciation were received proving that functions of this
nature are invaluable where handicapped persons are concerned.