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APPENDIX I.
SHOEBURYNESS HOLIDAY CAMP.
Extracts from Report by Mr. T. Taylorson.
It is with considerable pleasure that I submit my report on
the seventh Holiday Camp carried on under your auspices.
For the sixth time we went to familiar ground and the latter
part of July, 1931 saw our temporary canvas home erected" on
the seaward pasture of South Shoebury Hall Farm. The Owner,
Commander H. Townend, did his utmost to make things easy and
pleasant for us, and to him I am most grateful.
A large and enthusiastic band of Teachers went down to
Shoeburyness after School on Friday, July 17th, and when they
went home on Sunday evening, all canvas had been pitched, the
bath house, ablution shed and latrines had been built, and large
drainage pits dug. It may be recalled that at the previous Camp
a hot water shower bath had been put into operation in a very
hastily constructed shed. This amenity had been of such service
and was so much appreciated, that it was felt desirable to increase
the scope of its usefulness. By kindly advice and valuable assistance,
a sectional bath house was constructed and erected. On
an average, 130 boys used the bath each day.
The boys, as in previous years, went down in two batches,
each staying for one fortnight, and all appeared to enjoy their
holiday, whilst as to its beneficial effect on their general health and
well-being there can be no doubt. The feeding arrangements were
not altered from those we had found so satisfactory in the past.
The general health was good; minor accidents and ailments
were effectively coped with. In only one instance had outside aid to
be summoned, one youth developing a temperature and an ominous
rash. Visions of Scarlet Fever presented themselves before me,
but were speedily allayed when it was found that an over indulgence
in succulent bivalves and ice cream was the cause of the trouble.
The weather was not kind, and bade fair to rival that of
our first camp which was held at Laindon in 1925. Nothing,
however, could dampen the enthusiasm of youthful guests and
whilst storms raged outside the marquee, all was jollity and good
humour within. The new canvas did its work splendidly and not
one boy suffered through damp bedding. In this connection,
however, I must report that a new section is needed to complete
the re-roofing of the marquee.
I feel that this report would not be complete without reference
to our transport problem. The vehicles provided by the Highways
Department are not suitable for transport of camp equipment, as
they are designed to carry weight and not bulk. Year by year it becomes
increasingly difficult to pack our goods into the space provided,
and it is invariably found that owing to the inherently light
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