London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Greenwich 1965
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Greenwich Borough]
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During the winter season the large pools at Eltham, Greenwich and Woolwich were converted into halls and a wide range
of recreational activities was made available, including an indoor
bowling green, indoor cricket nets, roller skating, badminton and
table tennis. The hall at Eltham was let for many functions
ranging from wrestling, dancing and even a one-day Youth
Conference.
Swimming instruction is available at each Establishment and
the Council introduced a new scheme this year for 3-5 year old
children. These are called "Fledglings" and the scheme operates
in the Hydrotherapy Pool at Eltham. There were already
"Duckling" classes held at Plumstead, Eltham and Greenwich
Baths for 5-9 year old children.
The London Borough of Greenwich became effective on the
1st April and the attendances for the year ended 31st December
covers nine months of the new Borough and three months of the
old Boroughs for the above Establishments. In addition there
are the attendances for the Warm Baths at North Woolwich
which, on the 1st April, was transferred to the London Borough
of Newham."
The attendances for each Establishment are as follows :—
| Eltham | Greenwich | Plumstead | Woolwich | North Woolwich & Abbey Estate Launderette | TOTALS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Swimming | 210,698 | 87,630 | 143,031 | 121,572 | _ | 562,931 |
| Spectators | 14,919 | 5,371 | 7,829 | 2,634 | — | 30,753 |
| Swimming Tuition | 9,200 | 5,269 | 4,274 | 1,381 | — | 20,124 |
| School Swimming | 60,847 | 52,640 | 114,239 | 51,060 | — | 278,786 |
| Swimming Clubs | 14,149 | 11,533 | 19.569 | 11,007 | — | 56,258 |
| Private Baths | — | 47,720 | 25,299 | 54,171 | 2,638 | 129,828 |
| Free Baths to O.A.P. etc. | — | 3,491 | 3,710 | 4,248 | 139 | 11,588 |
| Turkish Baths | — | 18,103 | 10,741 | — | — | 28,844 |
| Public Laundries | — | 4,678 | 16,678 | — | _ | 21,356 |
| Abbey Estate Launderette | — | — | — | — | 25,326 | 25,326 |
| 309,813 | 236,435 | 345,370 | 246,073 | 28,103 | 1,165,794 |
RODENT CONTROL
General.—During the year the Rodent Control Scheme, as
approved by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, has
continued, although with the introduction in 1959 of "block"
grants to local authorities, direct financial assistance by the
Government to this service ceased.
Of a total of 2,798 recorded complaints (1,491 of rats and
1,307 of mice), 1,986 were notifications, 459 re-notifications from
occupiers or other sources and 353 were found during survey.
The monthly average of complaints from all sources was 233.