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still there. Three types of bath are available i.e. ordinary private baths, private baths with the
addition of a shower unit, and simple shower baths. It is particularly gratifying to note that
16,813 free baths were taken as a result of the Council's policy of allowing free access to this
service by Old Age Pensioners.
Laundry facilities are provided at the North End Road, Sands End and Lime Grove Baths,
where full advantage is taken of the opportunity to wash, dry and iron some 20 lbs. of washing in
under one hour at a charge of 2/6d. The provision from February, 1967 of a coin-operated laundry
service at the Hartismere Road Laundry attached to the North End Road Baths has resulted in an
increase in the number of laundry users of 19,032 to a departmental total of 156,355 for the year.
As in previous years one pool at each of the main establishments was floored for the
winter months providing facilities for bowls, table tennis, badminton, dances, boxing and other
functions, all of which are-well attended.
PARKS AND CEMETERIES DEPARTMENT
The responsibilities of the Parks and Cemeteries Service extend 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
around 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.
The use of a building in South Park has been approved for the use of the Pre-School Play
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-too-infrequent
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. Three 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 Services 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.
The availability of land for parks development is obviously limited in this Borough and
is well below that recommended. However, the Parks Service endeavours where possible with
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