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Acton (Councillor H. G. James, j.p.) came to the rescue, however,
and issued an appeal for £100. This appeal was published in the
"Acton Gazette" and met with immediate and generous response,
finally 387 holidays being arranged, an increase of 23 over 1936.
47i different parties of children went to different places, e.g.,
Worcester, Brighton, Britlingsea, Hereford, Norfolk, Wiltshire,
Berkshire, Devon and Somerset. Accounts of their stay in these
various places were almost always satisfactory—one boy, unfortunately,
had to be sent home for behaving badly.
It speaks well for the scheme, that a large proportion of the
children who went away, wish to go again in 1938, and their parents
will be allowed, as before, to start payments early in the year sothat
their contributions can be spread over a long period.
Much kindness was experienced from the country hostesses.
One little fatherless girl was legally adopted by her host and hostess.
Another hostess took two children, but would accept payment for
one only, and yet another hostess invited three boys to Devon for
the Christmas holidays and paid their fares.
All children sent away under the Country Holiday scheme
must be clear of infection and non-verminous. All have to have
their heads examined three times before they go—making well over
1000 examinations in all, and all have to be medically examined
and passed as not suffering from any infectious disease.
It is impossible to estimate the benefit to these children of
such a holiday as these arranged by the Children's Country Holiday
Fund. The anticipation, the excitement of travelling, the kindness
experienced and the happy recollections after the holiday is over,
must all materially assist the good done by change of scene and
food, and psychologically as well as physically, these children must
benefit enormously. The Head Teachers have reported very
favourably on the results of the holiday on the children's well-being,
and Miss Stevens cannot be sufficiently thanked for making it
possible by her ungrudging hard work.
SWIMMING INSTRUCTION, SEASON 1937.
The Swimming Season opened on Monday, 3rd May, 1937,
and provision was made for 53 classes at the Public Baths, 32 for
boys and 21 for girls. Of these, 50 classes were held in school
hours, whilst one class for boys and 2 classes for girls were held