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District Nurses, British Red Cross Society, W.V.S., and other voluntary societies, likewise continued
to be of great assistance.
Services available for old people are summarised on pages 40 and 41.
St. Marylebone Old People's Welfare Association.
The Executive Committee of the Association (Chairman—Councillor G. J. Brown, O.B.E.,
M.I.Mech.E.; Hon. Secretary—Mrs. K. M. Cowan, Room 103, Town Hall, St. Marylebone, W.l)
has kindly provided the following information, which has been extracted from the Association's Annual
Report, on work carried out during 1963:—
"Grants.—For the year beginning 1st April, 1963, the Borough Council granted £600 for holidays
and agreed to make contributions of not more than £600 towards the cost of meals, etc. This
covers insurance, licences for the vans, foil containers for meals, also rent and other small expenses
for the Luncheon Club, the Council now paying directly for the maintenance of the vans instead
of as hitherto refunding the Association's expenditure. The new basis for financial co-operation
agreed with Council representatives resulted in a simpler procedure. They also agreed to contribute
£125 towards administrative expenses in connection with holidays, etc.
The grant for Chiropody was continued by the London County Council.
General.—£200 was withdrawn from the Portman Building Society in January, for the purpose
of welfare needs not met by grants.
Donations and Gifts.—The Executive were much encouraged by welcome donations and expressed
warmest gratitude for valuable help to the following: West London Synagogue Charitable Fund
(£25); Miss Tassinari, £3 and clothing; Mrs. Brighten (£30), with special thought for extra fuel
in cold weather; Hospital Sunday Fund, through B.R.C.S., £2 3s. 6d. for an elderly lady's electricity
expenses; Anon., £5 for relief; Dorset House Restaurant Club (£2 10s. 0d); Mrs. Winslow
and Mrs. Carr (£25); Rotary Club of St. Marylebone (£7 17s. 5d.); Miss Baker (£1); the Mayor
(£20); Mrs. Barnett (£5); Artizans and General Properties Co., Ltd. (£10 10s. 0d.); St. Marylebone
Parish Church (£15); Lyndhurst Club (£20); Mrs. Lew Grade, £40 and gifts in kind (groceries,
china, etc.); Mrs. Fewster, £10 10s. 0d. for fuel (and also cost of a holiday for two pensioners);
Mrs. Neville Blond, a TV set for a pensioner and £12 for the licence for 3 years; Anthony Jackson
Stores, many parcels of various gifts from West London Synagogue Bazaar.
Harvest Gifts were distributed to old people from the George Eliot Primary and Infants' Schools,
and several Churches.
Christmas gifts were more numerous this year and warmest thanks are expressed to the kindly
donors who made it possible for parcels to go to all old people known to be housebound, and many
others.
St. Marylebone Centre for the Elderly.—Early in the year, following much discussion, negotiations
were opened for premises for a centre in the basement of York Street Chambers. Thanks to the
kindness of St. Marylebone Housing Association, when the necessary planning permissions had
been obtained, a lease of 14 years at a rental of £500 per annum, exclusive, was offered to our
Association. Proposals for alterations were in due course approved by the ground landlords.
At a meeting in September of the Old People's Consultative Committee, the Association's representatives
submitted a schedule of the estimated costs of converting and equipping the premises,
together with an estimate of the annual running costs. A figure of £4,000 for capital outlay was
suggested to the Council's representatives, maintenance estimated at £2,000 a year plus rent
and rates. These figures were accepted by the Council's representatives, who recommended the
Council to make a grant to the Association to cover these amounts. Other relevant committees
supporting, the Council agreed.
'Meals on Wheels'.—As foreshadowed in the last Report, the Council agreed to make possible
the hoped for extension of meals by giving a special grant for the provision of a second van, another
Austin A.55 with four portable heated food containers (G.E.C.). This new van came into operation
towards the end of June. As a result, 3,213 more meals were delivered than the previous year,
10,930 in all. Both vans were garaged and maintained by the Borough Council. One driver,
' Frank ' has been a reliable and helpful worker for nearly 3 years. With the coming of the second
van, B.R.C.S. members joined the W.V.S. helpers under Mrs. Lush, and, as usual, much wider
service was given than the delivery of hot meals, exacting though that can sometimes be. Good
cheer and friendship are also taken into the homes.
Luncheon Club.—5,228 mid-day meals were served. This Club has continued to be an immense
benefit to those elderly folk who are provided with a hot meal and companionship in a cheerful,
welcoming atmosphere. Some attend five days weekly, others less often. Most would not find it
easy to cook a good meal at home.