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BECKENHAM TUBERCULOSIS CARE COMMITTEE
I am grateful to Mr. M. E. Forster, Hon. Secretary of the Beckenham
District Tuberculosis Care Committee, for again submitting a
report on the Committee's valuable work during the year under
review:
"The Beckenham District Tuberculosis Care Committee,
which is associated with the Kent Council of Social Services,
continued its voluntary welfare work amongst tuberculosis patients
and their families in the Borough. The Committee assist patients
and families who are recommended by the local Chest Clinic or
Health Visitors. This may take the form of providing extra
nourishment, purchasing clothes and shoes, or furnishings,
assisting with debts that have accumulated, sending families away
for holidays, and paying fares for near relations to visit hospitals
and sanatoria. The two Liason Officers spent a considerable
amount of time visiting families in their homes and arranging
this help. Approximately one-third of the help given was to
families in the West Wickham area.
"At Christmas-time 60 patients received gifts to enable them
to purchase something extra.
"During the year the Committee spent over £450, and to
offset this an energetic drive was made to bring in funds through
the sale of Christmas Seals, which was met with generous response.
"Mrs. S. E. Porter resigned as Chairman in September due
to her husband's retirement, and her duties were taken over by
Mr. S. W. Collett, who had been Hon. Secretary since the
Committee was formed in 1938 until early 1955."
WOMAN'S VOLUNTARY SERVICE
The following report on the work of the W.V.S. work in the
Borough has been submitted by Mrs. J.M. Fisher,the Centre Organiser,
to whom 1 express my thanks.
Darby and Joan Clubs.
Three Darby and Joan Clubs in Beckenham, and two Over 60's
Clubs in West Wickham, are still running in the Borough. Two of
the Clubs are held on Tuesday and one on Thursday from 1.45 p.m.
to 4.15 p.m. Membership of each Club averages 100/120, and all
the members are over 60 years of age. The membership fee is 1d.
and a charge of 3d. is made for a varied tea per person. Whist Drives,
Darts matches and Raffles are held each week, and at least two of
the Clubs have talented Choirs which entertain not only their own
members, but other organisations. A free library is available to
members, and there are also plenty of magazines for reading. Members
are going to Eastbourne next month for a week's holiday under the
scheme arranged for old age pensioners.
Spring and Autumn outings by coach are arranged for the Club
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