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Chiropody Service for Old People:
This service was continued throughout 1961. Five local chiropodists gave their
services at cheap rates for Old Age Pensioners. In 1961, Middlesex County Officers were
empowered to proceed with a scheme for the increase in the provision of chiropody as
part of the County Health Services, and 56 patients had attention during the year at the
Northcote Avenue Clinic, of whom a proportion were elderly persons. The County
Council was able also to offer financial assistance to voluntary organisations providing
chiropody, and the Southall Old Peoples' Welfare Committee treated 858 under this scheme.
Holidays for Old People:
The holiday scheme whereby old people get a seaside holiday during off season months
of May and September, at reduced rates, continued during 1961 and was operated by the
various Old People's Clubs in the Borough. In addition, the Southall Old People's Welfare
Association sent 40 old age pensioners for one week's free holiday by the sea. Two day
outings were arranged by this Association for 39 elderly housebound.
Clubs for Old People:
Old Age Pensioners Federation—Southall No. 1 Branch:
This Club had a membership of 180 and met once a week for social purposes, attendances
being high during the summer months but not so good during the winter. Seaside
outings were arranged on three occasions during the summer also.
St. Anselm's "Over Sixties" Club:
Formed in 1956 with only a few people, had a membership in 1961 of 145. The Club
met weekly on Tuesdays and had an average attendance of between 100 and 120. The
meeting was social with entertainment and refreshments. Four free outings were arranged
to the seaside and a birthday party, a Christmas party and a visit to a Christmas Pantomime,
were arranged during the year. The members of this Club are visited when sick.
The Silverthreads Group:
This Club had a membership of 120, meeting once a week on Thursdays at the Community
Centre, with an average attendance of 90. The Club is a social one, and entertainment
was provided for the members each week. There were two coach outings, a birthday
party, a Christmas party and a harvest festival also arranged.
The Darby and Joan Club:
This Club met weekly and had a membership in 1961 of 66 with an average attendance
at each meeting of about 50. The meetings were social, entertainment being provided
and refreshments. Summer outings and Christmas parties were arranged. This Club
also encouraged the doing of handicrafts by its members.
The Allenby Old Age Pensioners Club:
This Club met weekly on Wednesdays, had a membership of 120 with an average
attendance of about 100. The Club is social and entertainment and refreshments were
provided at each meeting. Five seaside outings were arranged by this Club, the organiser
of which takes a special pride in the fact that the Club is entirely self-supporting.
The United Old Folks Club:
The average attendance at this Club was 180—200. Meetings were once a week on
Mondays and these were social with entertainment provided. The members had three
free outings to the seaside, 164 persons going on each occasion. Fifty-two members
went to Hunstanton for two weeks' holiday, six of these were paid for out of Club funds,
the rest paid for their board and lodging themselves. Transport and trips were, however,
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