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178
The official opening ceremony of the newly completed wing was
performed on 29th April by the Mayor, Councillor R. T. Coombs,
J.P.; the Deputy Mayor of Margate, Councillor H. Anish, and Mrs.
Anish were among the guests.
A total of 1,400 guests was accommodated during the year, in
parties averaging 80. The parties consisted, in the main, of old age
pensioners with an average of twelve handicapped persons, some
of whom were also old age pensioners and others were middle-aged.
There was one experimental party in September consisting of
handicapped persons only.
The last party of the year, due to return home on the 6th January,
1968, was badly hit by the influenza epidemic, which was severe in
Thanet. On the advice of Dr. R. G. Taylor, the visiting Medical
Officer, those who were fit to travel, returned home on the 2nd
January, 1968, leaving a small party to return when they had
recovered at the end of the week."
Concerts and Outings, etc.
Restricted mobility renders elderly people unsuitable for whole
day outings. Selection for half day breaks is therefore based upon
up-to-date visiting data.
During the year, 42 trips were arranged whereby 336 elderly
homebound enjoyed afternoon outings to the Kent countryside and
to local parks and open spaces arranged for two afternoons each
week during the months from May to September.
In August, a garden party, at which 60 old people were entertained, was organised by the local Rotary Club and the girls of
Abbey School staged a Christmas Concert for the benefit of a
further 50.
Transport to all such functions has been made so much easier by
the department's 2 newly acquired "handicapped" coaches which
are equipped with hydraulic tail-lifts.
Television and Radio Sets
The Department acts as agent for certain voluntary organisations
which provide television and radio sets for lonely homebound old
persons of limited means.
Furthermore, the Department has also received a number of
television sets which were donated by members of the public for
use by old people. Although the majority of these sets are nearing
the end of their useful life, they have helped very considerably to
relieve the boredom and loneliness of the old people to whom they
have been loaned. Donations of second-hand television sets,
particularly those in reasonable working order, are therefore most
welcome.