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Churchyards.
The parish churches of Woolwich and Elthara, and the old parish church of
Plumstead, each have an extensive churchyard, but burials are confined solely to
Eltham, where only old vaults and graves are now opened.
Washing Facilities for the Public.
In January, 1950, in order to encourage personal hygiene, the Health Committee
considered a report on the public washing facilities in the Borough, and particularly
facilities for the use of stall holders and other outside food handlers generally, and
the extent to which use was being made of these washing facilities.
It was found that virtually no use was being made of the paid "wash-andbrush-up"
service at the Beresford Square public convenience by the stall holders
in the neighbouring market. The Committee felt that the time had come when every
encouragement should be given, not only to food handlers but to citizens generally,
to observe the washing of hands after use of the public convenience. The Works
Committee gave sympathetic and favourable consideration to the initiation of a
free "wash-and-brush-up" service at the Beresford Square convenience for a trial
period of six months. This service commenced on the 1st May, the paid service continuing,
and its working was reviewed at the end of the year. Of the total of 4,018
washes at this convenience during the period, 1,298 were in respect of the free wash.
Whilst the free washing facilities had not been used as extensively as had been
hoped, there had, nevertheless, been a considerable total increase in the use of
washing facilities and women stall holders in particular had been ready to use the
free facilities. The running cost of the service was found to be extremely low.
The extension of the free facilities to other public conveniences in the Borough
was considered by the Council and I am now able to report that the Council has
decided that free facilities also be provided at five other major public conveniences.
Public Baths and Wash-houses.
The Council has four bathing establishments in the Borough. A full description
of this service, which includes swimming baths, slipper baths, Turkish baths and
massage, wash-houses and the use of the premises for social and sporting activities
during the winter months, was included in my Annual Report for 1949.
The Baths Superintendent has kindly supplied the following information on
the number of bathers using the Baths Service in 1949-50 and 1950-51.
1949-50. 1950-51.
Swimming 411,642 335,004
Slipper Baths 157,204 146,906
Turkish Baths and Massages 20,246 17,762
Public Wash-house 13,597 13,350
Free baths to Old Age Pensioners and Unemployed
4,547 3,816
607,236 516,838
The reduction in attendances for the year 1950-51 was in great measure due
to the very unfavourable weather throughout the summer of that year. Samples
of swimming bath water for bacteriological testing are taken monthly and more
frequently if found necessary. One hundred such samples were submitted for
bacteriological examination during 1950 and satisfactory reports were received on
all the samples.
The Department carries out its own tests of free chlorine estimation and colorimetric
test for the pH value.
Swimming and Paddling Pools.
The two open-air swimming pools in the Borough, in Eltham Park and in the
Victoria Gardens, North Woolwich, are provided by the London County Council.
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