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33.
MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE.
The Executive Committee of the Infant and
Maternity Centres in October, 1929 intimated to the
Borough Council that they could not continue to carry
on the work of the Centres and arrangements have been
made for the Borough Council to take over the management
and control of the Centres on 1st April, 1930.
I have pleasure in placing on record the following
' short history of the Maternity and Child Welfare Centres.
The Borough of Fulham owes a debt of gratitude to
the late Mrs. Bertha Stoop who founded the "Fulham
School for Mothers," now known as The Maternity and
Child Welfare Centres, in 1907, and to the past and
present members of the Committee for their pioneer
work. Mrs. Stoop received much valuable help from Miss
C. M. L. Wickham of the Bishop Creighton House
Settlement and from the late Dr. Jackson, Medical
Officer of Health to the Borough, who were original
members of the Committee and had a large share in the
development of the work. Sir Cyril Cobb, who is one
of the Vice-Presidents, has taken an active interest in
the Centres for many years and has contributed largely
to the funds of the Committee. Lady Stephenson was
Chairman of the Executive Committee.
The first consultations were held in St. Augustine's
Hall during the latter part of 1907 and early in 1908
premises were secured at 90, Greyhound Road. Dr.
Benham and Dr. Burgess gave their services voluntarily
and home visits were made by the voluntary workers,
especially those working at Bishop Creigliton House.
The Centre was popularly known as the "Mothers and
Babies Welcome," but "The School for Mothers" was
its official title. Classes and Lectures took, for some
years, a larger place in its work than medical ' consultations'
and the Government grants received were from
the Board of Education.
Miss Williams was appointed Superintendent at
the end of 1908, so that she held the position for 21