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61
Boot Club.
The work of the Boot Club is a praiseworthy voluntary
effort made towards securing suitable footwear for the school
child. The Orthopaedic Surgeon has already commented on
inferior footwear, which he believes is largely responsible for
considerable increase in flat feet among children. War-time
expediency is doubtless responsible for deterioration in materials
used. One hopes for speedy improvement in this connection,
especially if physical defects are arising through faulty
footwear.
BROMLEY SCHOOLS BOOT CLUB COMMITTEE.
Chairman's Report.
During the year ended 31st December, 1945, the Boot Club
has continued to function satisfactorily. Although there has
been a decrease in the number of vouchers issued, the contributions
received were only 15s. Od. less than during the previous
year. 591 vouchers for purchases accounting to £387 2s. 7d. net
were issued during the year compared with 642 valued at
£495 15s. 3d. in 1944.
In some schools membership is decreasing, possibly due to
the continued difficulty of obtaining the footwear required from
the seven firms participating in the scheme. Efforts are being
made from time to time to enlarge the list to give contributors
a wider selection. Two firms have reduced their discount to 5
Per cent, instead of 10 per cent., but have stated that they will .
restore the higher rate as soon as possible. This reduction
means there is a deficit when comparing discount given by
traders with bonuses granted to contributors, amounting to
£5 10s. Od. in the year 1945.
Necessitous cases have been recommended to the Bromley
benevolent Association, and seventeen pairs of footwear have
been supplied by the Association free of charge to scholars in
womley.
I ani sure you would wish to record our appreciation of the
valuable work of the Hon. Secretary. I would also again record
my appreciation of the work of the Hon. Treasurer and the Hon.
Auditor.