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4
PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS OF THE BOROUGH
Hammersmith, the most westerly of the Metropolitan Boroughs, covers an
area of 2,282^ acres with 69 miles of roads. It is bounded on the South by the
Thames, on the North by Willesden, East by Fulham and Kensington, and West
by Brentford and Chiswick.
The subsoil in the northern section of the Borough is mainly clay whilst in the
south there is a layer of some 20ft. of gravel over blue clay. There is a variation of
approximately 120 ft. in elevation from the river to the northern boundary, the
lowest point in Upper and Lower Malls being 13 ft. above sea level.
There are more than 400 factories within the Borough of varied nature, so
that, apart from heavy industry, most trades are represented.
Unemployment is not a serious problem in Hammersmith as the following
figures for the year 1964 indicate:—
No. of persons registered as unemployed 1,761
No. of unfilled vacancies 934
The corresponding total figures for 1963 were 2,645 and 951. 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.
For the onlooker Hammersmith provides a wide and varied choice indeed.
Most week-ends the river along the Mall is a spectacle with racing eights, skiffs and
sailing boats from the various rowing and sailing clubs, practising and racing; the
highlights undoubtedly being the Oxford and Cambridge boat race and Head
of the River each Spring. The White City Stadium stages international athletics and
greyhound racing: Olympia attracts thousands to its well known exhibitions and
shows, whilst the B.B.C. Television Centre in Wood Lane and the Lime Grove
Studios, providing entertainment for millions, are household names.