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Outings and Entertainments
During the past year our old people have enjoyed a
full programme of outings and our thanks are due to the
many kindly, hospitable friends of St. Alban's Hall who
have made these possible. The Women's Institutes again
entertained parties of old people (varying from 35 to 40)
at Aldbourne, Bletchingley, East Wittering and Edenbridge.
The Southwark branch of Rotary organised an outing to
Plaxtol, where the Women's Institute members were hostesses
to a party of 35 old people. Through the kindness
of Maidstone Branch of Rotary a party of 35 visited
Sutton Valence, a country mansion now used as a Borstal
Training Centre for girls; they were shown round the
farm and residential quarters by the girls themselves
and were very interested in the work of rehabilitation
for young offenders. The Lions' of Southwark organised
an outing to Littlehampton, and Mr. Bloomfield invited
groups to Bexhill. The afternoon drives to Westerham
are still highlights for the homebound. These visits to
the sea or countryside, tea amid lovely garden surroundings,
and often gifts of flowers and sweets, left happy
memories to dwell upon in the dreary days of winter.
On Wednesday evenings there has been a series of
entertainments. After Old Time Dancing there have been
Whist and Bingo Drives, alternating with dancing displays
by children, concert parties and once an entertainment
by an Over 60 Club. The local schools produced nativity
plays and the South Bank group invited a party to a performance
of Aladdin at Duthy Hall. One feels that Wednesday
is a red-letter day for the old people at St.
Albans Hall - they come in asking excitedly "What is
on tonight"? and whatever the entertainment they enter
whole-heartedly into the fun and express their immense
appreciation of the efforts made for their amusement.
Thanks are due to all who helped in providing these items
of entertainment and especially to Mr. Richardson, the
organiser, who devotes so much time to the service of
the old people.