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‘Meals on wheels’
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The Rushden Echo and Argus, 28th June 1957, transcribed by Jim Hollis No Meals for Old Folks Yet Such a scheme, bringing hot meals to the doors of crippled and handicapped people at a reduced rate, would need a lot of planning and could not be undertaken unless everything was worked out in detail, it was decided by members of Rushden Senior Citizens Goodwill Committee at their meeting on Thursday. A sub-committee headed by Mr. E. M. Brocklebank, was asked to investigate all aspects for a satisfactory scheme which could be run in conjunction with the W.V.S. On a side table at the meeting stood a hot-meal container which would hold enough for 18 people. This was the type of container which would be needed for a meals-on-wheels service, said Mr. Brocklebank, and the cost would be £33. Two or three containers would be required to serve the town adequately. When one of the members suggested buying a container to make a start on a preliminary service, the chairman, Mr. W. J. A. Peck, said that it would be unwise to start anything without proper organisation. Mr. Peck said that while he was in the chair he would refuse to let any scheme go forward until all points had been thoroughly discussed as there were so many problems to sort out. An early scheme for part of the town would cause discontent among those old people who had not been included. Special Meeting Within a few minutes of an appeal made by Mr. Peck for a piano for “Risdene” home for old people Mrs. G. E. Bazeley offered to give one. Mr. Peck, who gave the house and property to the council, said that a number of other items were needed most important being a wheelchair, garden seats, a card table and about fifty hymn books would also be appreciated. The next meeting of the committee will be on September 26, unless the meals-on-wheels sub-committee make their recommendations before that time. Officers In his report, Mr. Ellis said that the chiropody scheme was still the main activity and that during the past year 630 treatments were carried out and 172 visits were made to bedridden patents. The age limit had been lowered to 68 and provision had been made for free treatment where the patients could not afford the fee. A balance of £370 was reported by Mr. Brocklebank in his financial statement. ................ |
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The Rushden Echo and Argus, 11th October 1957, transcribed by Jim Hollis
Once a week on Tuesday morning a car with a “crew” of three ladies can be seen arriving at a Rushden café. Shortly afterwards they leave with containers in which are the ingredients of 21 hot meals. From the café these ladies go around Rushden visiting the homes of the people for whom the meals are intended 21 aged and needy residents the first to benefit under Rushden’s new “Meals on Wheels” scheme. This is not the official title. In fact, the scheme which has been running for five weeks has no title and it was only last night that the sponsors, the Senior Citizens Goodwill Committee were due to hear for the first time how it was progressing. It was brought into operation by a sub-committee, the chairman of which, Mr. E. M. Brocklebank, was last night to give a report to the first meeting of the full committee to be held since the scheme’s inception. At that time 18 old people were provided with the weekly hot meal meat and three veg., and a hot sweet. Already three names have been added to the list, and there is every likelihood that more will soon come along. The organisers aim to cater for those old people who are not likely, through extreme age or infirmity, to cook for themselves, and who have no close relatives in a position to do it for them. There must be quite a lot of old folk in this position they think, either on their own or old married couples, for whom cooking has become too big a job. With the prospect of more Mrs C. G. Perkins is confident that if more are required she can provide them from among local W.V.S. members. Each meal costs 2s of which the recipient pays 1s and the other shilling is paid by the committee. Before the scheme can be extended to include more old people the question of finance will have to be considered ............. |
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The Rushden Echo and Argus, 18th October 1957, transcribed by Jim Hollis Old Folk’s Meals Cost £100 a Year Seeking financial support from the town and its organisations Mr. W. J. A. Peck said at Thursday’s meeting of the committee: “I do want to appeal at this stage and not wait until we get into difficulties.” Mr. Peck, who is chairman of the committee, said he hoped there would be continued recognition of the work they did and that they would still get grants from those charitable organisations which had helped in the past. “This is as worthy a cause as any other in the town,” he said. The chairman of the “meals on wheels” service sub-committee, Mr. E. M. Brocklebank, reported that at present 21 people were having meals delivered each Tuesday and there were 12 other people who would like to have meals delivered. The W.V.S. organised the delivery of the meals and 23 helpers with nine cars were on the roster. Collection and delivery of the meals took 45 minutes. The cost of each meal was 2s of which the recipients paid only 1s and all so far connected with the scheme had agreed that the meals were of good quality and were very much appreciated. Hot-Meal Container Mr. Peck thanked the W.V.S. for their help in running the service. Cheques were acknowledged from the National Corporation for the care of Old People (£100), the County Cinematograph Fund (£50) and the 1956 Rushden Fete (£22). Mr. Brocklebank reported cash at the bank of £483. No Big Rush The adjourned annual meeting preceded the committee meeting and a letter of resignation was received from Mr. B. Munday. Members were told that of 43 town organisations approached in a campaign to get more representatives, only 25 had replied. New committees for each ward of the town were appointed. Mr. Peck welcomed back Mr. E. A. Sugars, who has been ill for some months. …………..
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W.R.V.S.
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