View report page

APPENDIX I.
SHOEBURYNESS HOLIDAY CAMP.
Extracts from Report by Mr. T. Taylorson.
It is with much gratification that I present my report on the
sixth holiday camp for boys organised by your Committee.
In many respects this was the most successful of the series,
and some 266 West Ham boys will be able to look back on the
Summer of 1930 with reminiscent joy.
The site, as in past years, was the seaward meadow of South
Shoeburv Hall Farm, but this year it had the added advantage of
being completely fenced, so we were able to enjoy that measure of
privacy which is often so desirable.
As in previous years, the boys slept nine or ten to a tent, of
which there were eighteen, arranged in a big quadrangle. They
were provided with a ground-sheet, two blankets and a strawfilled
sack, whilst meals and communal gatherings were indulged
in in the big marquee. The menu was substantially the same as
heretofore, the aim being to provide each boy with a sufficiency of
nourishing- and palatable food.
The outstanding features of the camp were two innovations
which were entirely due to the good wishes and kindlv acts of
generous friends. On Wednesday, 30th July, through the kindness
of Mr. Cecil Jones, a hundred and ten boys left camp at 5.30
a.m., and went by motor boat to Sheerness, where they spent at
least two hours on the "Repulse," then on up the Medway to
Chatham Dockhead ; to Rochester Castle, and so home, having
spent a memorable and enjoyable day.
Perhaps the most noteworthy and outstanding feature of
camp was due to the enterprise of Alderman E. J. Reed, the Chairman
of your Committee, and the kindness of Mr. J. Fretwell, of
Plaistow. This was the provision and installation of a complete
system of hot-spray baths. Needless to say, this was an innovation
which, though at first viewed with grave suspicion, became
one of the most popular institutions of camp ; in fact, it became
almost necessary to mount a guard to prevent some of the young
enthusiasts from having more than three baths a day. As a result
of this installation we had always copious supplies of hot water
for washing up.
The health of the camp was generally good, no cases of serious
accident or illness having to be reported amongst the boys,
although Mr. G. W. Pannell, at the very outset of camp, sustained
a serious knee injury, which has since necessitated an
operation.
The equipment was satisfactory, with the exception of the
main marquee, which is now showing manifest signs of wear.
250