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not able to look after themselves adequately. However, in all cases
where removal to hospital or institution was essential in the person's
own interest it was possible to persuade him to enter the Home or
hospital without any need to apply to the Court for compulsory
removal.
Issues of clothing were made to a number of elderly persons
during the year with the assistance of the Women's "Voluntary Service
and other donors, and the National Assistance Board made grants
wherever possible to help with the provision of bedding.
Lunch Clubs.
Over £1,000 per year is contributed by the Borough Council
towards the cost of supplying meals at the Plumstead and Eltham
Lunch Clubs, which operated fully throughout the year. The present
amount of the County Council contribution towards the cost of these
meals is 10d. per head, the recipient also paying 10d. per meal.
Meals for the Plumstead Lunch Club are supplied daily from the
Borough Council's Plumstead Baths, and for the Eltham Lunch Club
meals are transported daily from the premises of a Plumstead caterer
to the Lunch Club, which is situated in the Progress Hall, Eltham,,
There is abundant evidence that those who are able to take
advantage of these meals at the reduced price very much appreciate
the service.
Holidays.
The Old People's Holiday Scheme, detailed arrangements for which
are made by the Woolwich Council of Social Service, was again popular
luring 1956. The majority of the applications were dealt with by
a personal interview. Seventy-seven persons had a week's holiday
at Westgate, 37 going in May and 40 in September. In addition,
seven infirm persons were helped with a holiday at special holiday
Homes. There were 14 cancellations, leaving only four outstanding
applications. Private arrangements for transport were made with a
coach firm. who took the parties from the Woolwich and Eltham
districts to the guest house and collected them the following week.
Mrs. Brookfield, the General Secretary of the Woolwich Council
of Social Service, has reported that the arrangements worked very
smoothly during 1956, and that those having a holiday have sent very
appreciative letters of the care and attention they received at the
guest house. The weather also was good for each of the weeks, both
in May and September.
A grant of £250 per annum has been made for the last few years
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