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- 62 -
Open Day
On Saturday, November 5th, St. Alban's Hall was open to friends
and local residents interested in the work being done among the old
people in the borough. Many organisations were represented, also
doctors, hospital almoners and councillors. By 2.30 p.m. the main
hall was already filling with visitors, among whom we were pleused
to welcome the Mayor and Mayoress. One side of the hall had been
tastefully arranged with the work produced by the dressmaking and
craft classes - a display which did great credit to the instructress
and to the skill and industry of our old people. On Monday and Friday
afternoons they work away in the upstairs room and their beautiful
handwork and sewing were a revelation to those who just know that the
classes take place. Tea was served during the afternoon while the
hall buzzed with the conversation of some two hundred people who were
invited to circulate in the building. Room was cleared in the main
hall for an Old Time Dancing Display by the Wednesday evening enthusiasts,
and finally the choir contributed several items, the quality
of their singing showing the great progress that had been achieved.
About five o' clock visitors began to drift away, and this was the end
of a most successful afternoon during which we hope that we had gained
friends for our old people, and for ourselves renewed faith in the
value of the work being done, and courage to continue.
Christmas Party
On December 16th a party was organised for our housebound old
people. Transport was arranged by the London County Council Welfare
Department and by voluntary drivers from Southwark Rotary. After an
enjoyable tea came an entertainment given by the East Wittering women's
Institute, who had come up to London, as they did last year, especially
for this purpose. We do thank them for their real help.
Library
The mobile library continues to function at St. Alban's Hall on
Fridays in the restaurant. Our grateful thanks are once more due to
Mr. Boone, the Borough Council Librarian, and his staff, for thus
offering the old people the opportunity of choosing reading matter
to while away their long hours of leisure without the tiring effort
of walking to the library. The library service to the homebound also
still functions and meets a great need.
Comforts Fund
The generous donations of our friends have again helped us to
supply many articles needed by the old people. This fund provides
gifts of flowers, sweets and fruit for those in hospital, as well as
invalid foods, blankets and clothing for the needy in their homes.
In addition, we have been able to pay for convalescent holidays for
several special cases.