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20
In September your Committee considered a report made by
Mr. F. J. Speakman, the leader of the party on the visit which
extended between 19th July and 20th August, and resolved that the
report be noted and that your Committee's thanks be conveyed to
all concerned on the success of the visit.
The following extracts are taken from Mr. Speakman's report:—
"Viewed as a five week's holiday our stay in Sweden was,
I believe, an outstanding success. But its measure is not to be
taken merely by the friendliness and generosity with which we
were everywhere met, but by our lasting and growing understanding
and appreciation of a people's way of life, and our
affection for that people.
"English children are approximately one year more mature
than Swedish children of the same age—a point to remember
if the chance should recur to send a party.
"Such a holiday, of course, was not arranged without
much hard thinking and hard work. Commodore Oberg, who
organised the broad scheme from Stockholm, worked out also
most of the details. One-time Naval Attache in London, he was,
during the war, in charge of the fleet for the defence of the
Stockholm Archipelago; organising is his second nature.
His was the master mind behind the whole Swedish arrangements.
"Commodore Oberg, in replying to the letter from the
Borough Education Officer, included the following paragraph:—
'I also want you to know that the children themselves,
almost without exception, made a very good impression
from the moment of their arrival and throughout the visit,
and that they are kept in good memory by their hosts and
by all members of our organisation who got into personal
touch with them. They were excellent ambassadors of
their families and of their country'."
10. PHYSICAL TRAINING.
Your Committee share the services of two whole-time Organisers
with a neighbouring area. Co-operation has continued along the
lines of previous years.
11. PROVISION OF MEALS.
The average number of meals supplied daily to school children
in December, 1948, was 9,043. The quality of the food supplied and
the standard of cooking have been maintained at the previous high
level.