FEEDING THE CHILDREN IRLAM CADISHEAD 1926

Cadishead and Irlam Guardian 1926

FEEDING OF THE CHILDREN

ENCOURAGING PUBLIC RESPONSE

THE GOOD WORK TO CONTINUE

FORTHCOMING EFFORTS TO AUGMENT THE FUNDS.

 

A new lease of life, so to speak, has been given to the British Legion Relief Fund for the feeding of necessitous children of the district, and the committee are very much heartened in their voluntary work by the encouraging response which has been made by the public to their appeal for renewed support.

 

It is a long time since the district was in such dire financial straits owing to lack of employment, and the resources of many households have almost become exhausted. There is no outward parade of distress, but it is a fact nevertheless that in very many instances the wolf has been at the door for some weeks, and the meals provided are genuinely appreciated by the parents of many of the recipients.

 

Happily, the young people who assemble daily at the feeding centres are in blissful ignorance of the cause of the trouble, and the younger end are already gleefully looking forward to Christmas. There are a few wan features among the children, but for the most part they seem happy and contented when partaking of their midday meal.

 

All manner of description of utensil is brought to the centres, and it is noticeable the great difference there is in the appetites of some of the children. The young folk are well behaved and good mannered - a striking testimony to the home and school training.

 

OLIVER TWIST IN EVIDENCE.

There are not wanting the Oliver Twists among the large companies of children which daily assemble, and the workers there have become so familiar with the faces that they know instantly when one is missing and inquire where So-and-so is to-day, and explanations are immediately forthcoming from their young chums.

 

Happily, however, there has been comparatively little absenteeism from sickness or any other cause and the daily gatherings are more like huge family re-unions than anything else. A merry chatter goes on among the young people, and the older boys and girls as a rule are quite content to wait and see the little ones served first.

 

A feature of the work, which is being sustained, is that there is no stint and every child returns to school in the afternoon well fed and well satisfied. In many instances the young folk innocently confess that they have a much better dinner than they have had breakfast.

 

There is a pathetic as well as humorous side to the daily gatherings. The experiences of the willing voluntary helpers at the two centres will never be forgotten. The men and the women who prepare and serve out the meals are as prompt and regular in discharging their self-imposed duties as though it were their avocation and the work proceeds with perfect smoothness and good humour. Though the workers will be delighted as the parents of the children, and people generally, when the necessity comes, it will take some time to accustom themselves to the ordinary conditions when they come into force again.

 

A BRIGHTER OUTLOOK.

Fortunately the outlook was brighter since at any time previously during the six months the dispute in the coal works has lasted, when the committee met on Monday evening to report progress, Mr. Haydn Ellwood presided, and Mr. Arthur Ferguson, secretary, delighted his colleagues when he told them that the retiring collections made at the two picture houses during the week had realised £8 15s. It was regarded as a splendid response, and other contributions which had been made were clearly indicative of the public's desire that they should continue to carry on with the work. The Chairman reported that he was arranging for a concert in the Globe Cinema for next Sunday evening, and other efforts were being organised in aid of the funds.

 

Thanks were expressed to the "Guardian" for the assistance and publicity which had been given through its columns to the work. The committee are grateful to the tradesmen and the public for their continued support, and would welcome visits to either or both of the centres between 12 and one o'clock daily by any subscribers, who would like to see for themselves how the fund is being administered.

 

A "Guardian" representative has visited the centres frequently, and has always been impressed with the methodical manner in which the work is carried out, and the useful purpose which is being served. The pleasant way in which the helpers carry out their duties and the heartiness with which the children partake of their daily meals are outstanding features of a most commendable undertaking for which the Cadishead and Irlam British Legion deserve well of the public of the district for instituting when they did. They are to be congratulated upon their determination to see it through.

 

The Cadishead Women's Conservative and unionists' Association, at a meeting in St. Mary's School, Cadishead, on Wednesday evening, made a grant of 30s to the British Legion Feeding of Children Fund. Mrs Cousins (Chairman) said the Fund was deserving of all the support that could be given to it. A splendid work was being done. At a Conservative dance in the Public Hall, Irlam, on Wednesday evening, 11s. was collected for the fund.

 

TO-MORROW EVENING'S CONCERT.

A capital programme has been arranged by Mr. Haydn Ellwood for the concert for the funds, to be held in the Globe Cinema to-morrow (Sunday) evening. Application was made to the magistrates of the County Police Court, Strangeways, yesterday (Friday) for the requisite permission to hold the concert and was sanctioned. A silver collection is asked for, and it is hoped will be liberally responded to, as funds are urgently needed.END.

 

In the photo book 'Irlam and Cadishead' Is a postcard on page 81. One of the images in the postcard is a photo Of Haydn Ellood.

 

The book was organised by Marion Beeston and Irlam & Cadishead Local History Society.

 

Haydn Ellwood was the owner of the Globe Cinema at that time.

Done