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It is the intention during 1966, to convert Hartismere Road Laundry so that it will provide
a coin-operated launderette service.
During the Winter months the demand for swimming decreases and for many years it has
been the Council's policy at the week-ends to floor over one of the pools at each of the two main
establishments, thus providing suitable halls for indoor sports such as bowls, table-tennis and
badminton. Dances, boxing and other functions are held all of which are well attended.
PARKS AND CEMETERIES
The responsibilities of the Parks and Cemeteries Service extends well beyond the limitations
of the Parks, Open Spaces and Cemeteries that must be well known to the public. Generally
speaking, anything of a horticultural nature relating to property owned or used by the Council is,
by and large, the responsibility of the Parks and Cemeteries Service. Similarly, the landscape of
all new buildings, and this applies particularly to housing accommodation environs, is undertaken
by the Parks Service.
In an area such as Hammersmith, heavily built up, with fewer and generally smaller rear
gardens than more fortunate Boroughs, the Parks system is important in providing facilities for
healthy outdoor exercise; and for the less athletic members of the public, areas of breathing-space
for quiet relaxation. The Parks system becomes increasingly important in modern life with the
extended hours for leisure given to the community; and only constant thought can ensure that the
necessary facilities and opportunities for play and relaxation are offered to the public, catering
as the Service does for those of every age.
A new venture this season is the inception of a Pre-School Play Group. The Baths,
Parks and Cemeteries Committee approved the use of a building in South Park for the use of the
Group, which is under the guidance of the National Pre-School Play Groups. The scheme helps
young children of 3-5 years to adjust themselves to separation from their mothers in preparation
for the longer separation which school-age will bring. It also assists the mother by removing her
family ties for a period each day. The supervision of the children is carried out by a group of
voluntary workers made up of mothers from the area.
Bishops Park and South Park provide "Toddlers Greens", where smaller play apparatus
is installed for the use of children up to the age of 5 years. Parents or responsible adults are
allowed to enter these areas with the children, but a female attendant is there to see to the
needs of the young ones and keep a watchful eye on them. This gives the mothers an all-tooinfrequent
chance to relax, happy in the knowledge that their charges are in safe keeping.
For the older children there are areas with the usual playground equipment, close to
which are paddling pools, sand play-pits and hard-surface areas where ball games and other
activities may be indulged. Four of the hard-surface playgrounds are floodlit and provide further
organised play supervised by play-leaders, especially during the Winter months. An extended
period of play until 9 p.m. each day helps to keep the children off the streets and directs their
energies into healthy play and exercise. All attendants have a knowledge of elementary first-aid
and are schooled in the procedure to adopt should a serious accident occur.
For the older or less active members of the public the Parks Service provides and maintains
pleasant tree-lined walks and flower beds, and offers rest by the provision of park seats and
deck chairs. Should they require more exercise than walking but less strenuous games than the
young people play, then the bowling greens can usually cater for their needs.
In a built-up area such as the Borough of Hammersmith where there are few gardens of
noteworthy size, the allotments in Bishops Park provide the means for the adult to cultivate his
plot of land. These fill a great need in this area as shown by the considerable numbers on the
waiting list.
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