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Deaths in 1956 were 2 less than in 1955. The principal causes were diseases of the heart and
circulatory system, which accounted for 42 per cent. of the total deaths; malignant diseases 18 per
cent. ; and respiratory diseases, including tuberculosis, 12 per cent. Deaths from lung cancer rose
from 40 to 49 as compared with the previous year.
One death from diphtheria was recorded. This was in respect of a woman who contracted the disease
in 1945 in France, recovered and later came to live in England. The disease affected her heart and
the primary cause of death was mitral stenosis due to diphtheria.
Seventy-six per cent. of the deaths registered were of persons of 65 years of age and over.
Infant Mortality.
The twelve deaths of infants under 1 year of age which occurred were all of legitimate children.
This was the same total as last year (9 legitimate, 3 illegitimate) giving a death rate of 15.04 per 1,000
live births. Nine of these deaths were of children under 1 week and two between 1 and 2 weeks.
Details showing causes of death according to age group and sex are given in table 2 on page 30.
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Maternal Mortality.
For the third successive year there were no maternal deaths.
Accidental Deaths.
During the year, 34 residents died from accidents of all kinds, an increase of 11 on the previous
year. Of these, 7 were due to road accidents. National figures show that children under 5 years and
elderly people account for 80 per cent. of accidental deaths. Year after year far more deaths result
from accidents in the home than from road accidents and every effort must be made to make
householders realise the urgent need to take all possible precautions and by avoiding carelessness
reduce this appalling toll of life and unnecessary suffering.
Local road accident figures show a slight decrease on the previous year, there being 720 accidents
in the Borough resulting in 5 deaths, 88 serious injuries and 767 slight injuries.
Weather.
The following summary of the weather during the year and Table 3 on page 31 are based upon
information supplied by the Meteorological Office :—
January.—Wet and changeable. Little snow. Rainfall totals about twice normal. Much fog in
first week. Temperature fell over 20 degrees during the 31st.
February.—Exceptionally cold. Second coldest February of the century and fourth coldest since
1841. Snow or sleet was frequent but falls were light. Little fog.
March.—Dry and sunny. Sunshine well above average. Little fog.
April.—Rather cold.
May.—Very dry and sunny. Sunshine well above normal. No completely sunless days.
June.—Cold and dull. There were several thunderstorms and the first half was particularly wet
and thundery, but monthly totals were not much above normal.
July.—Cool, rather dull and very wet. Rainfall mostly more than twice normal with thunderstorms
on several days. On the 29th gales were widespread. Sunshine was between 80 and 90 per
cent. of normal.
August.—Very cool, mostly very wet. Sunshine was between 80 and 90 per cent. of normal.
September.—Dull; very wet at first. Sunshine was only about 75 per cent. of normal and it was
the fourth successive dull month.
October.—Rather cold; mainly dry. During heavy hail just after midday on the 1st there was
a partial " blackout." Very foggy period 9th—16th. Several days with thunder.
November.—Very dry; cold towards end. The 14th was the only really wet day. On the 29th
there were very scattered light sleet or snow showers.