View report page

vans were working to capacity on many occasions. Special Christmas dinners (frozen packs)
were delivered to 96 people and also to them went 96 special parcels to cover the Christmas
period when meals were not being delivered; also 12 special parcels for diabetic persons or
other invalids requiring special nutrition. During the long hard winter, deliveries of tinned
soup, milk puddings and milk drinks were also made.
Chiropody Service for Old People:
This service was continued throughout 1963. Five local chiropodists gave their services
at cheap rates for Old Age Pensioners. In 1962, 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 99 old age pensioners had attention during the year at the Northcote
Avenue Clinic, the number of attendances by them at the Clinic being 517. The County
Council was able also to offer financial assistance to voluntary organisations providing
chiropody, and the Southall Old People's Welfare Committee reported the number of
treatments given during the year under this scheme to be 1,741 (1,222 in 1962), i.e. treatments
at surgeries 837, and visits to homebound 904. The number of Old Age Pensioners receiving
treatment under this scheme was 417.
The County Council made provision for a limited amount of domiciliary service from
26th October, 1962. One Old Age Pensioner was given 8 treatments under this provision.
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 1963 and was operated by the
various Old People's Clubs in the Borough. In addition, the Southall Old People's Welfare
Association arranged holidays for 30 housebound and semi-invalid elderly. In addition,
40 had transport for a day's outing to the sea—all meals arranged; 81 had transport to
Annual Luncheon; 71 had transport to Ice Show; 74 had transport to Carol Services; 76
had transport to Southend Illuminations—high tea arranged at Southend; and 146 had
transport to Concerts, parties, etc. during the year.
Clubs for Old People:
Old Age Pensioners Federation—Southall Branch:
This Club had a membership of 150 and met once a week on Monday afternoons for
social purposes, the average attendance being about 125. Seaside outings were arranged
during the summer, and a party and concert at Christmas.
St. Anselm's "Over Sixties" Club:
This Club increased its membership in 1963. Approximately 200 members were on the
register in 1963 with an average attendance of 150 at each Tuesday meeting. The Club
continued to be a most popular rendezvous on Tuesday afternoons with members of all
denominations although maintained by the Southall Section of the Catholic Women's
League.
During the year there were four free outings to the seaside, a visit to a pantomime, and
a Christmas party.
Entertainment was provided each week, birthdays were celebrated with a card and
small gift, and sick members were visited.
The Silverthreads Group:
This Club had a membership of 170, meeting once a week on Thursdays at the Community
Centre, with an average attendance of 96. The Club is a social one, and entertainment
was provided for the members each week. There were three 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 1963 of 79, with an average attendance
at each meeting of about 60. The meetings were social, entertainment being provided and
refreshments. A Summer outing, a free luncheon, and a Christmas party, including a
monetary gift for each member, were arranged.
29