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Radio.—10 sets on loan were issued on the Association's application to the ' Wireless for the
Bedridden ' Society. The Society generously supplied licences in a number of instances and
altogether brings immense pleasure to the people befriended. At the end of the year 32 sets
remained under the supervision of the Association, also other sets in St. Marylebone were sponsored
by other bodies.
A Christmas Appeal on television by the Society included pictures of St. Marylebone people
who had the benefit of the Society's radio sets on loan. The Public Health Department made it
possible for suitable photographs to be taken and each person concerned received a copy.
Fireguards.—During 1962 only two applications were made to the L.C.C. for the loan of fireguards
; one of these was referred to the Welfare of the Blind.
Entertainments.-—Mrs. Lew Grade once again gave elderly residents in the Borough a wonderful
party at the Seymour Hall in December, when 800 thoroughly enjoyed tea, a delightful show with
community singing, presents to take home. Invitations were allocated to a proportion of people
in all clubs, almshouses, Homes, and also to a large number who are not members of any clubs,
including some very infirm people. Mrs. Grade's thoughtfulness in every detail once again made it
an occasion to remember, while all did their best to make things run smoothly—stewards, firstaiders,
policewomen, car drivers and Council staff.
Sixty-five people enjoyed a Christmas party at the Y.M.C.A. in Great Russell Street. The Student
Theatre Group of the St. Marylebone Literary Institute again presented welcome tickets. Other
people were included in hospitality by the Philanthropic Lodge. A group from the Buyers'
Department of Selfridges also gave a party.
Christmas.—This is always a busy time when Miss Sharp and Miss Wilson work on innumerable
lists, trying to ensure that the gifts which are sent from private individuals, local churches, schools
and firms, are fairly and suitably distributed. The list of kindly donors of parcels and people who
gave invitations for Christmas meals is too long to give here, but the Association's warm gratitude
is expressed to each one of them for bringing so much pleasure and comfort into the homes of old
people at this season. A number of donors have continued to keep in touch by friendly visiting."
Diseased or Infirm Persons—Compulsory Removal.
Section 47 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, as amended by the National Assistance
(Amendment) Act, 1951, empowers the Council to apply to the Courts for Orders for the removal
to a hospital or institution, for the purposes of securing the necessary care and attention, of persons
who—
(a) are suffering from grave chronic disease or, being aged, infirm or physically incapacitated,
are living in insanitary conditions, and,
(b) are unable to devote to themselves, and are not receiving from other persons, proper care
and attention.
It is seldom necessary to follow this procedure, but distressing cases sometimes occur of old persons
who, although no longer able to look after themselves and living in conditions which make it impossible
for them to be nursed at home, refuse to enter a home or hospital voluntarily. During 1962 there was
one such case, particulars of which are given in Table 21, page 36.
Public Baths and Laundry.
The Seymour Hall, opened in April, 1937, covers an area of 37,000 square feet. The building is
electrically heated and contains two indoor swimming pools, private baths, public laundry, squash
racket court, changing and club rooms. Swimming, private bath, and laundry facilities are available
daily throughout the year.
The large swimming pool, which is converted from October to April inclusive for use as a public
hall, has a water area of 132 feet by 42 feet with depths from 3 feet to 12 feet, and the smaller pool
a water area of 100 feet by 30 feet with depths from 2 feet 9 inches to 6 feet 6 inches. The pools are
provided with independent purification plants which are cross-connected to purify water in either pool
if necessary. These plants have a capacity of 65,000 and 23,800 gallons per hour respectively. This
enables the contents of the pools, 228,000 and 83,600 gallons, to be circulated and purified within
3| hours. Continuous filtration is applied so that all the pool water does not have to be changed.
Water from the pool is used to wash the filter beds and " make-up " water is taken from the mains
of the Metropolitan Water Board. Chemical treatment is by alumina and soda, and the water is
sterilized by chlorine gas with modern " breakpoint chlorination " equipment. Automatic recorders
provide a continuous check on residual chlorine and periodic re-agent tests are also taken. Samples
from both pools are regularly sent to the Council's Bacteriologist and the results have been satisfactory.