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55
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT.
The Hackney Day Nursery has been in existence and exercising its
particular functions since the official opening ceremony on Thursday, April
19th, 1934. It can be said that from the very beginning the venture has been
welcomed with widespread interest, and from every quarter help and assistance
have been readily forthcoming, and it was certainly a source of much gratification
to all concerned to receive the following gracious message from H.R.H.
The Duchess of York at the initial opening, "H.R.H. wishes you every success
with the Hackney Day Nursery, which she is sure will be the greatest boon to
the Mothers."
It will be understood that before the actual foundation of the Nursery
could become an accomplished fact, there were necessarily a number of pioneer
enthusiasts who had not only to make the need for such an Institution realised,
but also to rouse interest in the quarters from which help might be expected.
Although it is not possible to mention all those who played a part in the
early stages, no record would be complete which did not acknowledge the
magnificent efforts of the Rector of Hackney, The Rev. N. A. Lash, M.A., Lady
Keymer, Mrs. C. Fisher Yates, Mrs. C. H. Brown, Mrs. Niblett, Alderman Mrs.
Power, Mrs. Turtle, Mrs. Izzard, Mrs. Lash, Miss Janet Payne and Rotarian
E. F. Reed.
It was indeed a fortunate happening that they were able to secure the
services of the Lady Amherst of Hackney as our President, and another stroke
of good fortune was Dr. S. W. Turtle's kind offer to act as Hon. Medical
Adviser, and whose services and regular attendance are invaluable.
Once the initial steps were taken there were offers of assistance and
contributions from many quarters. The Rotary Club of Hackney and the
Ladies' Inner Wheel of that Club were among the chief benefactors at that
period. Their help consisted not only of large donations to the funds, but
many of the individual members have given, and are still giving, much of their
valuable time in the interests of the Nursery. The now defunct Kilburn Day
Nursery came forward also, and their gifts of money and furniture were
invaluable.
The next step was, of course, the acquisition of suitable premises. After
much searching the choice fell on 85, Hackney Grove, and was facilitated to a
large extent by the kind co-operation of the Spurstowe Trustees, and in the
adaptation of the premises to the purpose for which they were required, the
advice and supervision of A. Rubens Cole, Esq., the Hon. Architect, were
indispensable.
With regard to expenditure, this has necessarily been heavy. The
modification and alteration of 85, Hackney Grove, together with the expense of
fitting and installation, and the provision of equipment and furniture, meant
a large initial outlay, and at this juncture the Hackney Borough Council most
generously sanctioned an annual grant of £200, which enabled us to go forward
with some degree of confidence for the future. Other monies were procured by
various means, by donations from the sources already indicated, also from the
Clapton Orient Football Club (per Councillor F. W. Snewin), concerts and
dances held by the Clapton Tradesmen's Association, the Hackney and Stoke
Newi'ngton Chamber of Commerce, the Richmond Revellers (of the Richmond
House Laundry), the Hackney Grocers' Association, the staff and pupils of
Lady Holies' School, the Victoria Hall Young Women's Association (per Mrs.
Ackerman), and the other usual methods of raising funds, organised by many
kind friends, and so the expenses have been met.