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5
SOCIAL CONDITIONS OF THE BOROUGH
The Borough of Hammersmith with the River Thames as its southern
boundary is the most westerly of the Metropolitan Boroughs. There is a variation
of approximately 120 ft. in elevation from the River to the northern boundary,
the highest points being at the junction of Scrubs Lane and Harrow Road (133 ft.
above sea level), with the lower points in Lower and Upper Malls (13 ft. above
sea level).
Industry within the Borough is very varied so that, apart from heavy industry,
most trades are represented. This development has undoubtedly been assisted by
the excellent transport facilities available for goods by water, road and rail. Of
equal importance to the industrialists and also to residents are the very comprehensive passenger transport services within the area; a time-table for eighteen
hours a day being provided, both by buses and London Transport trains to most
parts of London and surrounding districts.
Unemployment is not a serious problem in Hammersmith, but as the following
figures show, it is evident that work is not quite so easy to find as in previous years:
Men Women Total
No. of persons registered as unemployed on 10.12.62 2,786 677 3,463
No. of unfilled vacancies on 5.12.62 238 335 573
The corresponding total figures for 1961 were 2,901 and 508. These details,
obtained by courtesy of the Manager of the Employment Exchange, Hythe House,
also cover part of the Borough of Kensington.
Hammersmith provides all the usual facilities for relaxation and recreation,
a total of 286 acres being given over to parks and open spaces. Swimming baths
are in Lime Grove, the small pool being open all the year round whilst the large
pool is open for the summer season only, being converted to a public hall from
October to April. An open air swimming pool, size 150 ft. x 75 ft., at Bloemfontein
Road provides facilities for swimming and sunbathing.
Most people are aware that probably the best known dance hall in the country,
the Palais de Danse, is at Hammersmith. Other notable features are Hammersmith
Bridge, connected with the Oxford and Cambridge boat race, the famous White
City Stadium for football, athletics and greyhound racing; Olympia, which stages
such well-known exhibitions; and the headquarters of B.B.C. television at the T.V.
Centre in Wood Lane.