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12
School for Mothers at Health Centre 2.
Classes are held 3 afternoons weekly when the dental clinic is not in use.
During 1930, 112 sessions were held at which 1,593 mothers attended, making an average of
14-2 per session and 643 children attended the nursery—an average of 5-7.
This average in a room where comfortable seating is limited to 9 and where the usual cup of
tea and a biscuit cannot be offered indicates the mother's desire to attend these classes which provide
valuable opportunities for teaching " better health."
The Council's land adjoining the clinic and now covered with derelict buildings affords the
ground space for suitable accommodation now lacking.
In July, 15 mothers entered for a written examination on subjects dealt with in the Health
Talks and Dr. Nicoll, Centre Medical Officer, Health Centre 1, kindly marked these papers and reports
as follows :—
" The paper set was an interesting one, and the various questions have been very well answered.
I have been particularly struck by the excellence of the replies to the question on Home Building,
which were not only well expressed but showed that all the essentials were fully understood, and that
the teaching had been practical. The School for Mothers is to be congratulated on its progress."
In December, 22 mothers entered for a knitting and needlework competition. Their work
was judged by Miss McAuliffe, Head Teacher, Oldfield Road Girls School, who reports as follows :—
" My first impression of the work was that although the number of entries was not large, the
standard of attainment was very high. This made the task of judging a most difficult one.
The work was divided into 4 sections—one section was devoted to wool work, either knitting
or crochet. This section is certainly the favourite, for the number of entries was higher than that
of any other section.
The work was most good and showed a distinct variety of tastes—from the dainty baby clothes
to the strongly knitted jersey for the growing boy.
In coming to the actual sewing work we find three sections ; one was for a garment that could be
made by hand, or by machine, thus giving every mother who was willing to make the effort the
opportunity of competing.
Another section was more decorative, and although the number of garments (decorated by
smocking) shown was small, yet the smocking was most exquisite and the little garments could
compare quite favourably in daintiness, finish and utility with those we can see in quite expensive
baby linen shops.
The third needlework section was most interesting, for there we saw how new clothes could
be had for old ones. Little boys' knickers were made out of an old lady's coat. Again the number
of entries was small but such work must be of great help to a mother with several boys and girls
to clothe.
The work as a whole is wonderfully good and one only wishes that more of the mothers of
Willesden would avail themselves of the opportunities given."
Prizes were given to the successful candidates and the examination lists of marks were eagerly
scanned by the competitors.
School for Mothers at Lower Place.
During the first quarter of the year 12 weekly sessions were held at the above centre, at which
117 mothers and 150 children attended. Of these 3 mothers and 3 children were new attendants.
The centre closed at the end of March and the mothers were transferred to the School for
Mothers at the New Stonebridge Health Centre, opened on April 28th, 1930.
School for Mothers at Health Centre 3.
The Centre opened on 28th April, 1930, and 151 Mothercraft Sessions were held, up to the end
of the year.
120 individual mothers made 1,725 attendances, an average of 11.4 per session, and 70
children under 5 years were cared for in the nursery and made 1,600 attendances, an average of 22.9.
A syllabus of short health talks was drawn up at the beginning of each term, and the mothers
were interested and eager to attend.
A competition was organised at the conclusion of the autumn term and the entries received
showed a very fair standard of work.
Miss E. M. Fisher, of Wesley Road Senior Mixed School, very kindly judged the work. Her
report is as follows :—