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visitors on our files or to a Constituent Organisation. From the reports which we have received
it is clear that these latter do an impressive amount of visting which probably accounts for the
relatively small number of visiting requests, unconnected with difficulties or problems, which
come to the office. The number of visits paid direct from the office since last May is approximately
200.
HOLIDAYS AND OUTINGS
The holiday at Cliftonville which we organise annually took place during the week commencing
Friday May 9th. In spite of the 'bus strike two 33 seater coaches got away only slightly
late. They were accompanied by Nurse O'Brien of the Red Cross to whom our thanks are due.
Rooms have been booked at the same hotel for this year. A noteworthy outing to Southend took
place in July as a sequel to the visit to the Borough by Her Majesty The Queen Mother. We were
fortunate in the weather and 84 elderly people were given an exceptionally good and enjoyable day.
Owing to the felicitious circumstances, this outing received considerable publicity and the name
"Golden Key" seems to have stuck.
FUND RAISING ACTIVITIES
The annual postal appeal which took place in October yielded a profit of £141.17s.0d. This
result, although hardly spectacular for a Borough of the size of Hendon, shows nevertheless a
marked improvement on 1957. The sole expense incurred was for postage as the printing was done
entirely free of charge by the Hendon Printing Works to whom the Committee offers its grateful
thanks. It has been decided to make a similar appeal this autumn and work has already started on
preparation of the mailing list.
CHRISTMAS GIFTS
Groceries received from various sources were made up into parcels and taken to selected old
people on our visiting list. 72 pre-cooked Christmas dinners were distributed by the W.V.S. Mealson-Wheels
Service and by ourselves. These gifts, particularly if attractively done up and delivered
personally, give quite exceptional pleasure. Possibly something on a much larger scale should be
attempted this Christmas.
OTHER GIFTS
By the generosity of the Watts family of "The White Swan", Golders Green Road, a 17"
H.M.V. television set was presented to the Committee for use in the Club. The aerial was installed
free of charge by Mr. S. Thaine as a donation to the Annual Appeal. Other gifts of furniture,
clothing and produce have been placed where they were most needed.
THE WELFARE COACH "POLLY"
The coach continues to perform a useful service. Since last autumn it has been used regularly
twice each month by the Edgware Blind Club and there are regular bookings in connection with
other clubs. The revised London Transport schedules sometimes make it difficult to obtain drivers
at the exact times when they are needed. We have therefore approached Cricklewood Garage and
they have already taken on several bookings.
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