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rate for the time being, wrote one old lady, 'so shall not need the kindly, useful and much
appreciated service. I tender my sincere thanks for the help the service has been and to the kind
ladies who have so cheerfully mounted this staircase to reach me.'
'Frood' Christmas dinners were kindly donated by the Mayor, to be distributed by W.V.S.
members on Christmas Eve to all receiving ' Meals-on-Wheels.'
The van has been efficiently serviced and garaged by the Council, which also provides the driver.
The Association is much indebted to all concerned in the team work of this useful service.
Luncheon Club.—This valuable service had another successful year in Church Army premises
at 134, Seymour Place. The W.V.S. helpers under the leadership of Mrs. Lush make it a very
cheerful centre, where pensioners can get a good hot mid-day meal for l0d. 6,096 meals were served
and once again a special Christmas dinner was given by the helpers.
Chiropody Clinics.—The Association has been fortunate in retaining the services of the same
three chiropodists and is also indebted to Miss Cotsford, B.R.C.S. member, who has continued to
act as voluntary appointments clerk at the Town Hall Clinic, where 2,339 treatments were given.
This Clinic opened in June, 1951, held by courtesy of the L.C.C. in their rooms, which have been
rent-free since 1955. Mrs. E. Baird, Chiropodist, has worked there since the beginning, joined by
Miss Curran in 1952 and by Miss Lerner in 1955. At least one patient has attended regularly since
the opening day.
The L.C.C. Lisson Grove Health Centre has again provided Chiropody for old ladies whenever
possible. Twelve such treatments on an average have been given monthly. This helpful addition
to the service dates from November, 1957.
It had long been the wish of the Association to extend old people's chiropody to the eastern
part of the Borough. At last this hope was realised with the opening of Clinic 2 in premises most
generously made available by All Souls' Church at their Club-house in Cleveland Street. Miss Lerner
undertook the professional care for a weekly session on Mondays and 286 treatments were given
between March and December. Clerical help was at first provided by B.R.C.S. and W.V.S., later
a pensioner carried on the appointment work. The equipment for the new Clinic was provided
from Association funds, assisted by gifts from the Chairman, and the Association also met all the
running costs.
All patients paid a fee of 1s. 6d. for each treatment.
Home Chiropody.—619 treatments were given, at the same charge as previously, 2s. a time.
This was a slight increase in the number of new patients and the waiting list was reduced at the
end of the year to 7. Regularity of visiting has made it possible to lengthen the interval between
visits, the average time now being 9 weeks.
Mrs. E. Baird started work from the beginning of the service in January, 1951, being joined in
1952 by Miss Curran. At least three old ladies have been receiving the benefit of this service since
it was inaugurated.
Parking difficulties in W.l added complications and we are specially grateful to our chiropodists
and the Red Cross driver, Mrs. Simmonds, for surmounting this problem and for maintaining such
an efficient service. Miss Lewis devotes much time and trouble to plotting the rounds so that the time
of the chiropodists is utilised to the best advantage.
Holidays.—The glorious summer of 1959 made Brighton particularly enjoyable for the 62 elderly
folk who were helped to have a week there in May. Each contributed £1 17s. 6d. The remainder of the
cost of £4 14s. fid. for board, lodging, transport and entertainment was met by the Association
from the Borough grant. Miss Sharp again accompanied each party and saw them happily settled;
much kindness was shown by the landladies of the guest-houses.
Again the Soroptimist Club of Mayfair 'adopted' an old lady, paying her expenses and giving
kindly personal thought to her happiness.
In addition, 28 elderly people were helped with individual holiday arrangements, at different
times and places, including the Church Army short stay home at Woking and the British Red Cross
Society's Edith Priday Home.
The Association was pleased to be able to contribute £25 to the Fourth Feathers Club and £10
to the Barrow Hill Club, for their own holiday schemes,