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expected to be active, provision was made for frail and handicapped
old persons to be accommodated on the ground floor. At the time
of the transfer of these premises and other old people's we.fare
services to the new London Borough on 1st April, 1965, the hotel
had already accommodated 716 elderly persons, the majority of
whom were away on holiday for the first time under such a scheme.
During the autumn of 1964, the Sea Grange Hotel, situated
adjacent to the Greenwich Hotel on the sea front, came on to the
market. Accordingly, the former Metropolitan Borough of Woolwich
decided to buy this hotel in order that it could be operated in
conjunction with Greenwich Hotel and thus provide much more
accommodation for the benefit of residents of the new London
Borough. Purchase was completed immediately prior to 1st April,
1965, and the two hotels were annexed by means of a heated,
covered way. Subsequently they were operated as a combined
establishment providing accommodation for some 70 old people
and, during the current year 1,140 elderly persons spent a fortnight's
holiday at Westgate-on-Sea.
Existing accommodation at the combined hotels now includes
a kitchen serving the whole establishment, several lounges with sea
views, a bar lounge and three dining rooms all on the ground floor.
Inclement weather is countered by enclosed balconies and there are
ample facilities for indoor entertainment and pastimes, including
television and radio.
Managed by a Resident Superintendent and Assistant with
appropriate staff, the new combined hotel remained open until 31st
December, 1965, thus enabling 'out of season' holidays to be taken.
Charges are very reasonable and, when possible, applicants who
accept an 'off-season' for their initial holiday are offered a summer
booking when the opportunity for a second holiday arises. Accommodation
for the Christmas period is reserved for persons living
alone.
These excellent holidays provided by the Council for retirement
pensioners resident in the Borough, i.e. men aged 65 years and over
and women of 60 years or more and not in full time employment,
are comparable with the best. Holidays commence on Friday and
bookings are for a fortnight. Parties are conveyed by escorted
coaches from various 'picking-up' points in the Borough to and
from Westgate. Less active guests are further transported by minibus
to and from their own homes and the 'picking-up" points.
Every fortnight, during the period from May to September,
eight of our elderly citizens, who for medical reasons require ground
floor accommodation, go to the Greenwich Hotel. Each case, which
is submitted to very careful consideration, is visited to ensure that
the term 'holiday hotel' (not convalescent home) is preserved.