London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Willesden 1938
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Willesden]
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The following table shows the dinners which have been supplied at Gibbons Road, Strode Road and Lower Place on each Sunday since the beginning of the year :—
| Gibbons Road. | Strode Road. | Lower Place. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9th January | 37 | 30 | 15 |
| 16th | 36 | 33 | 21 |
| 23rd | 39 | 41 | 11 |
| 30th | 38 | 38 | 13 |
| 6th February | 14 | 40 | 19 |
| 13th | 43 | 40 | 19 |
| 20th ,, | 42 | 32 | 20 |
| 27th | 35 | 31 | 21 |
| 6th March | 43 | 22 | 18 |
| 13th | 46 | 30 | 21 |
| 20th | 40 | 25 | 21 |
| 27th | 36 | 33 | 19 |
| 3rd April | 34 | 36 | 16 |
| 10th | 31 | 31 | 17 |
| 17th ,, | 43 | 28 | 18 |
| 24th ,, | 42 | 31 | 16 |
| 1st May | 61 | 27 | 17 |
| 8th | 59 | 27 | 13 |
| 15th ,, | 59 | 38 | 10 |
| 22nd ,, | 52 | 31 | 12 |
On the average it may be stated that the number of children attending for Sunday dinners is
approximately 17 per cent. of those who come during the week.
Having regard to these figures it would be possible to carry the Lower Place children to Gibbons Road, but this arrangement would mean an increased cost as shown by the following statement which excludes the cost of food as this cost would be the same in either case:—
| Costs of running school 'bus from Lower Place to Gibbons Road so that Lower Place children may be fed at Gibbons Road. | Costs at Lower Place Centre of feeding children under the present arrangement. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | s. | d. | S. | d. | |
| Driver—2 hours | 6 | 4 | — | ||
| Attendant—2 hours | 2 | 11 | — | ||
| Bus running costs | 1 | 0 | — | ||
| Extra Assistant at Gibbons Road | 12 | 3 | — | ||
| Assistant | — | 12 | 3 | ||
| Gas | — | 3 | 0 | ||
| £1 | 2 | 6 | 15 | 3 | |
The Children's Care Sub-Committee reported to the Education Committee on the 26th July,
1938, when their report was adopted in the following terms:—
"With reference to our report on 22nd June, 1938 (p. 229, par. 9), arising out of a visit
of the Board of Education Inspector on provision of meals for the area, we have had before
us a memorandum by the Medical Officer showing the arrangements made for the provision
of breakfasts and dinners at the feeding centres on Sundays, and the numbers of children
receiving meals at these centres on Sundays, copy of which has been circulated to all members
of the Education Committee. After consideration, we recommend—
"That the existing arrangements for the feeding of school children on Sundays
remain in force and that the Board of Education be informed accordingly."
"The introduction of potato-peeling machines would save a great deal of tedious
labour and the employment of steaming ovens for the three centres now without them
would be an advantage."
Potato Peeling Machines.—Electric Potato Peelers could be installed at each of the four existing
Centres of the Education Committee at an approximate cost of £25 per potato peeler or £100 in all.
It is proposed that a potato peeler be installed at the new Feeding Centre to be established at Percy
Road at an approximate cost of £40.
Steaming Ovens.—An electric steaming oven is provided at the Gibbons Road Feeding Centre.
At Furness Road, Strode Road and Lower Place Feeding Centres, however, the puddings are
boiled and the results are quite satisfactory. If the Committee decided to instal steaming ovens it
would be possible to place them at Furness Road and Strode Road Centres, but it is doubtful if there
is room at Lower Place Feeding Centre. Gas is already installed at these Centres and the cost of a
suitable gas steaming oven for these Centres would be £12 per annum (hire) with £5 for fixing per
steaming oven.