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Laundry Services.—The Association was glad to help publicise details of concessions available to
old people using the Public Baths.
Entertainments.—Mrs. Lew Grade was responsible once again for the big party of the year, so
much looked forward to, so thoroughly enjoyed. 800 elderly people were invited to Seymour Hall
in December for a wonderful occasion, with tea, fine Christmas parcels and an entertainment. The
Association was happy to allocate the invitations and made the stewarding arrangements. The
Y.M.C.A. gave another most enjoyable Christmas party, as did the 11th St. Marylebone Scout
Group.
The Rotary Club and Philanthropic Lodge provided their customary outings in summer and
parties in winter for their own lists of elderly people.
St. Marylebone Literary Institute Student Theatre Group kindly presented tickets for some
theatrical performances.
Accommodation designed or converted for the needs of the elderly remains disappointingly
inadequate. One very cheering event, however, was the opening in July by the Borough Council of
Macintosh House, Beaumont Street, which comprises 28 flatlets specially built for old and infirm
people, with accommodation for a resident warden. Miss Lucy Nettlefold, now resident overseas
but gratefully remembered for her work for the O.P.W.A., performed the opening ceremony. The
Association appreciates the Council's choice of a name for this House, commemorating the work of
the late Miss Mary Macintosh, a founder member of the Association and long its Hon. Secretary.
This is the last full year's report of the present Association. At the A.G.M., when it will be
presented, a resolution will propose the dissolution of the Association and its integration in the
new City of Westminster Old People's Welfare Association: it will be re-constituted as the St.
Marylebone District Committee of the new Association. This change of course comes to pass as
part of the re-organisation of local government in London."
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. Unfortunately, during
1964 there were two such cases, particulars of which are given in Table 23, page 38.
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 number of swimmers using the pools during 1964 was 202,295, and spectators numbered
17,063.
Organised Swimming Instruction—Schools.—The number of school children receiving swimming
instruction increased to 32,773 from 31,979 last year.
Public Laundry.—The Laundry facilities are now completely " Self-Service ", comprising 8 fully
automatic washing machines, 2 spin dryers and 4 tumbler dryers and hand laundry with 4 units,
spin and tumbler dryer. By means of time and temperature controllers the tumbler dryers will
dry all types of materials, including woollens. The rotary ironing machines have proved most popular
and 15 lbs. of domestic washing can be washed, dried and ironed in 1¼ hours. This all-electric installation
has resulted in an increased number of young married women using the laundry and numerous
expressions of appreciation have been received. Modern lighting and replacement of existing washing
machines have been completed and the gaily coloured tiled floor recently laid makes the weekly visit
to the Laundry an attractive occasion.
Old Age Pensioners—Reduced Laundry Charges.—These facilities, introduced in September 1964,
have been greatly appreciated and 1,110 Old Age Pensioners have attended.