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Hepper, the driver of our van, seconded for this work by the Public Health Department. Mr. Hepper
had driven our van for many years, and had become warmly interested in the Old People with whom
he came in contact.
The W. V.S. Luncheon Club.—This club has flourished and expanded in the new premises for which
the Association pays the rent. The number of lunches served in the year was 7,514.
The Foot Clinic.—The number of treatments given during the year was 2,602. This figure included
72 new patients. The Clinic, besides being of first-class professional standard, has become a centre
of lively friendship, and we owe a debt of gratitude to our Chiropodists, and also to the members
of the British Red Cross Society, St. Marylebone Division, who do so much to make this service
operate so efficiently and happily.
Home Chiropody.—During the year 280 visits were made, including 241 to women and 39 to men.
These numbers include 14 new patients. Only two were treated at a reduced fee. All the others
paid the 2s. we ask, and several patients paid more voluntarily.
By the end of the year the waiting list had become so long that the Association arranged for an
extra half-day (in addition to the four full days) in each month, to begin in January; 1958.
We would like to thank one of the members of the Red Cross who drives our Chiropodists three
times each month, only asking for the cost of the petrol.
Holidays.—We sent 62 Old People to Brighton for a week in May in two organised parties. With
the help of a contribution of £20 from our funds, the Fourth Feathers Darby and Joan Club sent
35 of its members to Margate for a week.
The Barrow Hill Club sent 4 of their members with our parties (and helped them to pay their
share of the cost) and sent a further 16 to Broadstairs. In addition, the Association arranged
individual holidays for 11 Old People, and secured holidays for one blind person and one deaf and
dumb through the appropriate agencies. The Mayor kindly gave £5 from his charitable funds
towards the cost of the old lady who is deaf and dumb, as our grant of £250 was exhausted by that
time, as were our own voluntary funds.
Emergency Fuel.—Only 11 deliveries were made during the comparatively mild 1957 winter,
but we had the pleasure of making gifts of coal from the last instalment of the Rotary Club's donation.
Early in 1958 the Association were given a further £15 for the same purpose, part of which is being
kept in reserve for next winter.
Wireless for the Bedridden.—During the year 9 new sets were obtained from the Wireless for
the Bedridden Society. The total number now regularly inspected on our behalf by Miss Sharp
is 33. This is just one of the innumerable small acts of kindness Miss Sharp adds to her official
services to the Old People of the Borough, and their debt to her, and also ours, is incalculable.
The Clubs.—There has been an addition to the number of our affiliated Darby and Joan Clubs
this year. The W.V.S. have opened a Recreation Centre at their headquarters in St. John's Wood
Terrace, which is open two afternoons a week. Most of its members belong to other clubs as well,
but it has enlisted several new helpers, and thus increased the number of personal contacts which
are the foundation of all our work. All the clubs had summer outings and Christmas parties, and
jumble sales to raise the necessary funds.
Home Visiting.—During the year we were saddened by the death of one of our veteran visitors,
Miss Berryman, and also by the serious illness of Captain Ticehurst, of the Church Army. Captain
Ticehurst is now out of hospital, but has retired to live in the country. Also we have lost Miss
Loughborough, who has retired to the country, after so many years of active life in this Borough.
New recruits have joined us, however, namely, more visitors from All Souls' and St. Peter's,
Langham Place, the Hinde Street Methodist Church, the Good Samaritan Group of the City Temple,
and a group organised by the Central Office of Information.
All these organisations work closely with our Association, but as the Central Office of Information
will be soon leaving St. Marylebone, we should welcome more recruits for regular visiting of the
house-bound Old People in this Borough.
Finance.—As our own voluntary funds are almost exhausted the Association will be making an
appeal in 1958. We need about £150 per annum in addition to the Borough Council's Grant, and
our last appeal was in 1952,"