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the course of canvassing for Civil Defence recruits in a particular area in the
Borough, have made enquiries about old people in the neighbourhood. Another
experiment has been carried out through the goodwill of the Children's Club at an
Eltham cinema. By this means a number of children have been able to make
contact with old people in the area and so perform services for them. One of the
most important aspects of the scheme is that, in addition to providing companionship
for the old people, the visitors arc able to report any special hardship that
may become apparent in the course of these visits.
During the year the Old People's Welfare Committee considered the best way
of caring for the needs of the more frail old people in their own homes, and
decided that the most useful service at the present time would be the extension
of the visiting service. Every effort is now being made to establish even closer
contact with the old people in the Borough who are not already being cared for
through one of the voluntary organisations or through the churchts, who carry
out such valuable work in this respect.
Reading Rooms. Requests have been received by the Council from voluntary
organisations in the Eltham area asking whether the Council could make available
rest and reading rooms where the aged could spend their time, particularly during
winter months. Unfortunately no assistance could be given so far as Council
accommodation is concerned. Temporary arrangements were made during the winter
months of last year to accommodate members of the Pleasaunce Old People's Club
who had been required to vacate the bowls pavilion until it was re-built, and a
room at the Progress Hall, Eltham, was hired on four occasions each week during
the first three months of the year.
Proposed Old People's Club at Eltham. During the year the Council considered
proposals from the Victorians, a voluntary body working for the welfare of old
people in the Borough, for the establishment of an Old People's Club which would
provide for the well-being of old people in the Borough, including recreation,
handicraft work and other activities. The suggested building was the Sherard
Road Health Centre. The Borough Council, appreciating the demand among
old people for such amenities, felt that the proposals of the Victorians should
be actively supported, particularly as it is intended to provide meals for old people
in the Club. The scheme would involve the conversion of the Sherard Road building
into an Old People's Club, and the Victorians have been informed that the Borough
Council is prepared to support their scheme for the establishment of such a Club,
subject to the County Council undertaking to transfer the land and premises to the
Borough Council upon terms to be agreed. The Council also decided that in addition
to acquiring the land and premises, the Council would also be prepared to grant
a sum not exceeding £300 per annum to this organisation for the purposes of the
maintenance of this Club when established. Negotiations are proceeding with the
County Council for the acquisition of the premises when they are released from
their present use.
Atmospheric Pollution : First Smokeless Area.
After consideration of current reports and research on atmospheric pollution,
and particularly the Statement of Evidence of the Metropolitan Boroughs' Standing
Joint Committee to the Government Committee of Inquiry, the Council decided that
it should make a start without delay on establishing a smokeless area, and in
November resolved that its St. Mary's Redevelopment Area, comprising 75 acres
and ultimately some 2,000 dwellings to be developed during the next 20 years,
offered an opportunity to inaugurate the first smokeless area in the Borough. The
Council also supported generally the views of the Metropolitan Boroughs' Standing
Joint Committee for facilitating the rapid increase in the consumption of smokeless
fuel.
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