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training for it involves co-ordination, manual dexterity, colour
recognition, collating, pattern following, simple reading and finally
counting of finished articles. All operations are performed by the
trainees. Three platen heat printing presses which stamp calibrations
on to plastic geometric instruments such as protractors, set
squares and rules have been provided by this same firm which also
furnished two heat sealing machines and one pillar drill.
More recently, the Centre has been engaged in contract work
for a large local electrical and telecommunications firm and the
trainees are now engaged in assembling telephone components. An
attempt was made to repair wooden park benches for the Greater
London Council but the size of our premises was found to be
inadequate for this enterprise.
Apart from the industrial aspects of the centre, a weekly
swimming session is held at Greenwich Baths and November of
the current year saw the first and, so far only proficiency certificate
gained. In addition, at St. Mary's Bay Holiday Camp, Dymchurch,
an annual fortnight's holiday is organised for the trainees.
Aided by voluntary helpers, the staff are responsible for the
Evening Social Club held weekly at the Park Vista Training Centre
which caters not only for trainees from the Park Vista and Blackwall
Centres but also for other resident subnormal adults. As well
as table tennis, ten-pin bowling, rounders, hockey and dancing the
activities include football, cricket, badminton and physical
education.
Maze Hill Junior Centre
General
This centre, which was purpose-designed on a difficult site,
was well on the way to completion when the Borough inherited it
from the London County Council. After certain modifications
were made in respect of internal design and equipment, and some
safety factors given urgent attention, the Centre was taken over
on 14th December of the current year. A detailed description of
the organization and methods employed is included below and it
will be seen, and this should be emphasised, that the centre is
run on strict educational lines. An attempt is being made to create
a school atmosphere, and the dichotomy which could develop
between the education authority and the local health authority
because of differences of emphasis or purpose in the Mental Health
and Education Acts has been effectively eliminated. No arbitrary
limit is placed on educability or ineducability on the basis of an
intelligence quotient estimation. Each child is considered as an
individual and his or her aptitudes carefully ascertained. Any
skills or functions, however modest, which have a potential for
development are encouraged and exploited.