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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 June to October, 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.
The new combined hotel remains open to enable "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.
Holidays began on 8th March and continued until 3rd January.
1969, and during this period, 1,491 guests were accommodated in
parties averaging about 80.
Three separate fortnights were allocated solely to the physically
handicapped and 153 persons, accompanied by 51 fit spouses, were
provided with holidays.
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