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107
Instruction in Mothercraft and Hygiene.
For some years, both in the home and in the Centres, we have made use of
leaflets written in non-technical language dealing with the hygiene of infancy and
maternity and have hung the walls of the Centres with pictures and mottoes to
give point to our teaching and to draw attention to the series of leaflets.
Propaganda posters are pasted on the outer walls at the Centres. There is
also a glass-fronted case for the display of a special poster; this poster is changed
frequently.
In addition to the ordinary weekly mothercraft class given at the Centre there
were two courses of cookery demonstrations given during the year: demonstrators
from the National Milk Publicity Council gave a useful series on dishes suitable
for young children, made principally from milk, also 12 demonstrations on household
cookery were given by the teaching staff of the Gas, Light and Coke Company.
Miss Mary Carter and Miss Edith Joyce have continued to give us a great deal
of valuable assistance during the year by making children's garments for busy
mothers from materials supplied by the mothers and from their own resources.
Assistance is given at the Centres in cutting out garments at any time; patterns
of the most suitable woven garments are given away, also directions for making
knitted garments and advice as to the choice of suitable materials. A sewing
machine is available for use of the mothers at 10, John Street and instruction in
its use is given at any time. We are careful to keep up-to-date model garments
for babies and young children always on view at the Centres.
Four hundred and ninety-five hanks of wool of a special quality obtained from
Wales were sold at cost price to the value of £23. 14s. 4½d.
The maternity bags were used during the year by two mothers.
Maternity outfits are placed on sale at the Centre at cost price, 6s. 2d., two
being sold last year. It is to be regretted that the price of these puts them beyond
the reach of the poorest, who are often, the least well equipped, and therefore most
in need of the outfit.
Summer Outing,
The Summer Outing was held in the garden of Mr. and Mrs. Crosfield, at Woodridge,
Knotty Green, near Beaconsfield; we are grateful to them for their generous hospitality.
The party consisted of 35 mothers many of whom carried infants in arms, also 16 other children
nearly all of whom were below school age. The cost of the fares of some of the mothers was
met in part by private subscriptions.