View report page

7
activities are mentioned in the extract from their Annual Report reproduced below. The London
County Council's domestic help service and Department for the Handicapped, together with the
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) has kindly provided the following information,
which has been extracted from the Association's Annual Report, on work carried out during 1964:—
" St. Marylebone Centre for the Elderly. Owing to complications in the negotiations which were
begun early in 1963, there were delays before the Association could obtain possession of part of the
basement at York Street Chambers, and unforeseen expenses were found necessary. Meanwhile
prices rose. It was impossible for the work of conversion to start until the requisite licence had
been seen and the lease signed by the Trustees on behalf of the Association. This was signed in
July, when instructions could be given by the architects for the builders to start work.
It was on the 10th November that the headquarters of the Association eventually moved from
the Town Hall, where since it was set up, a part-time office had been provided by the Council.
The new premises were now complete except for some additional fire precaution requirements and
part of the external entrance, a ramp which was delayed, owing to industrial difficulties, beyond
the end of the year.
The official opening took place on the 27th November, when the Mayor of St. Marylebone, Councillor
Derek Simon, accompanied by the Mayoress, declared the premises open in the presence of the Town
Clerk and of other Borough Council officials, with representatives of the bodies co-operating in the
work of the Association, and colleagues from Westminster and Paddington. A blessing on the
work of the Centre was asked by the Rev. V. L. Tucker-Harvey, M.A., Rector of St. Mary's Church,
Bryanston Square. The skilful and imaginative modernisation and the pleasant decoration and
furnishing were much admired. Warm thanks are expressed to Mr. R. M. McCarthy, A.R.I.B.A.
(Messrs. Fewster & Partners), responsible for the conversion. Tea for the guests at the opening
was arranged by Mrs. Dalby; as a member of the sub-committee dealing with the premises she is
congratulated on her selection of curtain materials.
The Luncheon Club and Foot Clinic 1 started work at the Centre on the 1st December.
After the decision had been taken to negotiate for the premises, it was learnt that the London
Electricity Board required one of the rooms for its own purposes, and space is unfortunately more
restricted than at first expected. The foot clinic can provide for not more than two chiropodists
working at the same time. Its equipment, however, is now up to modern standards and the Clinic
is open two days a week at present. The Rotary Club of St. Marylebone generously provided the
two patients' chairs. Other gifts to the Centre included most valuable things from Luxborough
Lodge, tables, three armchairs, T.V., Piano, kitchen dresser and hot-plate, bookcase; Mr. Louis
Lebus gave two desks, Mrs. Wells a radio, Mr. D. H. Drewell a clock, Mr. Stonebridge the Radio
Times regularly, and in his capacity of Borough Librarian he is warmly thanked for making available
a small collection of books. Money contributions are also gratefully acknowledged from Mrs.
H. J. Hawkings, Miss Lucy Nettlefold and Mr. and Mrs. Lush.
Finance.—For the year beginning 1st April, 1964, the Borough Council agreed to grant £600 for
holidays, not more than £500 for expenses in respect of meals on wheels (items of insurance and
licences for two vans and foil containers for meals) £125 for administrative expenses: further, the
running expenses of the new Centre estimated at £3,100, including an estimated sum as proportion
of rates, and rent of £500. As regards the capital grant approved to cover the conversion and
equipment of the premises, the Council agreed to a sum of £4,000. In June, however, on the Chairman's
application for a supplementary grant to cover unforeseen expenditure in the conversion,
an application supported by the relevant committees, the Council agreed to reimburse an additional
sum of £1,250. A No. 2 account was opened to handle the capital expenditure on the premises.
This expenditure was by no means complete by the end of the year, and accounts for the Centre
are not fully shown.
The grant for chiropody services was continued by the London County Council, to end in March
1965, when it was expected the new City of Westminster Council would undertake financial
responsibility.
£250 was withdrawn from the Portman Building Society in February for welfare needs and
expenses not met by grant.
For the first time an Hon. Treasurer was appointed, the A.G.M. electing Councillor A. F. Lockwood,
J.P., to this office. Previously the Hon. Secretary had acted as Hon. Treasurer.