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Association, starting with the informal survey of 1961, showing the number of people known to the
Association as urgently in need of accommodation to be about 135. The Chairman of the meeting
indicated that as these figures were not comprehensive they could not be put before the Council.
It was clear, however, that if a more complete picture of the urgent need for further housing for
the elderly was needed, the Association itself was not in a position to undertake a large scale
professional survey.
Possibilities of an independent body being asked to undertake a comprehensive survey of the
housing needs of old people in St. Marylebone were examined in various quarters but no definite
action was taken by the Association.
In several ways the consultations proved helpful. They led to comparison between the Housing
Department and the Association of lists of old people requiring accommodation, and this led to
communications from the Housing Director to a number of old people previously unknown to his
Department. Helpful information regarding developments in Council housing for the elderly was
given, as were full figures of the Council's financial support, already given or allocated, for other
welfare of the elderly, apart from grants to the Association.
A second meeting was held in November, when the Association's objective of acquiring premises
for a day centre was one of the points discussed.
' Meals on Wheels '.—7,727 meals were taken to old people in their own homes, 724 more than in
the previous year. The electrically heated food containers continued to ensure that meals were
really hot when delivered. The Austin van which the Association had purchased in 1954 was
beginning to show signs of wear and tear and it was therefore an immense benefit to the work that,
as an extremely generous gift from Mr. and Mrs. Lew Grade, it was replaced by a new Austin van
which started its work in August. The containers were of course transferred.
In the autumn the Association suggested to the Council that a second van would enable the
service to be extended to provide, where necessary, hot meals five times weekly instead of the
maximum up to now of three times. Before the end of the year it was gratifying to learn that the
Public Health Committee had agreed in principle to recommend the Council to finance the purchase
of a second van and plans ahead were made for additional helpers from the B.R.C.S.
W.V.S. workers have delivered the meals since the service started, under the leadership of Mrs.
E. Lush whose devoted and efficient work for both meals services has been beyond all praise. The
workers who take round meals become real friends of the recipients and are able to give news of
them or call for other help in an emergency. With New Year wishes to the W.V.S. one lady wrote
' Appreciative thanks for the pleasant efficient way with which the meals are delivered in the attractive
foil containers. The Christmas fare deserves special mention, the dinner was delicious and the
lucky bag wonderful, full of acceptable surprises, all gratefully received.' The festive extras at
this season are planned and provided by W.V.S.
Luncheon Club.—5,587 meals were served. A slight decrease in attendance was due to the early
onset of the unusually severe winter weather.
Chiropody.—Another excellent year's work can be reported. 2,397 treatments were given at the
Town Hall Foot Clinic (an increase of more than 100) and 388 at Clinic 2, at All Souls' Clubhouse,
Greenwell Street, premises generously made available by the church of All Souls'. The smooth
working of the services is largely due to the experienced and kindly work of Miss Curran and Miss
Lerner, chiropodists with the Association for many years. Miss Meares resigned in the summer and
in her stead we welcomed Miss O. Reeves in Clinic 1 and for home chiropody. Miss Cotsford and
Miss Hoogendoorn, appointments clerks, continued their most essential work.
The L.C.C. Health Centre 2 at Lisson Grove undertook 1,158 treatments for elderly people in
1962, so that the total of elderly people having their feet cared for increased. All treatment is free
of charge.
Home Chiropody.—637 treatments were given, 38 new patients being accepted. The waiting list
of 22 at the beginning of the year was reduced to 16 at the end, though it was sometimes
unfortunately necessary to keep a new applicant waiting for some months before the first appointment
could be made.
Holidays.—124 people took part in the ' all-in ' group holiday, arranged early in the season at
Brighton as in previous years. In addition 12 others were helped to have a similar holiday of one
week, also at Brighton under the auspices of Rutland Tours Ltd., during October. These had the
best weather of the season, but everyone appeared to have real benefit from the seaside holiday.
' Everything has been done for our comfort and I have enjoyed every minute ' is a typical note of