Feeding the children of Irlam and Cadishead 1926.

Cadishead and Irlam Guardian 1926

 

FEEDING THE CHILDREN

SUCCESSFUL FLAG DAY

UNEXPECTED DEVELOPMENTS

WORKERS' DOLE STOPPED

 

The work of feeding the children in the district proceeds daily at the two centres with the regularity of clockwork, and the number of young recipients of the nourishing meals that are provided is being almost daily increased, thus proving that local distress is growing rather than diminishing, and the calls upon the local fund get more pressing as the days go by.

 

Fortunately there is no lack of enthusiasm in the work, which the feeding of between 400 and 500 children daily entails upon the large number of voluntary willing helpers, both men and women.

 

The flag day organised by the Local Branch of the British Legion on Saturday was quite a success and the result has considerably heartened the committee and workers in their self-imposed duties, the proceeds amounting to nearly £20.

 

SENSATIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

The stopping of the dole to some 16 or 17 unemployed men, who have thrown themselves heartily into the work of feeding the children came as a shock to the men on presenting themselves at the Labour Exchange yesterday for their weekly allowance.

 

They are mostly married men who are idle through curtailment of work at the Partington Steel and Iron Co.'s Works, and in three of four instances the men are coal trimmers employed by the Ship Canal Company.

 

The men are ready at a moments notice to go to work. The "dole" would appear to have been stopped on the ground that the men being occupied the greater part of the day are not able to "look for" employment. There can be no other ground as the duties they were engaged in at the feeding centres is entirely voluntary.

 

The matter however, is being taken up with headquarters with a view to redress as it is obvious that some misunderstanding exists. Meanwhile much inconvenience is bound to be occasioned in the households affected.

 

PROBABLE RE-INSTATEMENT NEXT WEEK.

A representative of the "Guardian" had an interview with one of the chief officials at Warrington yesterday with regard to the matter. The reason for the withholding of the dole this week is as stated. The whole facts have been placed before the authorities in London, and there is a likelihood of the allowance being re-instated next week.

 

To the Editor of the Guardian

 

FEEDING OF SCHOOL CHILDREN IN IRLAM AND CADISHEAD

 

Sir - In order to allay some misapprehensions which seem to exist in Irlam and Cadishead with regard to the feeding of necessitous school children in those districts I have been requested by the Irlam District Education Committee to ask for space in your columns to relate the steps taken by the committee in this matter.

 

Perhaps it will be of interest to state that it is local Education Committees, and not the District Councils, that have power to spend public funds for the feeding of school children. Moreover, Education Committees cannot so employ public funds as long as there are local funds being used for the purpose.

 

As early as May 12th last. a special meeting of the District Education Committee was held and measures approved for feeding necessitous school children in Irlam and Cadishead.

 

Complete plans were made and investigations were pursued for many weeks: but no evidence of neccessitous cases was received from teachers, school attendance officer, doctor or nurses. About the time of the school holidays, however, a local fund for feeding school children was raised and has been admirably administered by a local body.

 

The Education Committee have always intimated that as soon as such funds failed, or were used for other purposes, they would make arrangements to carry on the work at once - Yours

 

R. WHITTAKER

District Clerk.

 

Council Offices, Urmston, September 22nd 1926.

November 1926.

 

FEEDING THE CHILDREN

CRITICAL POSITION OF THE FUNDS

"SHALL WE CARRY ON ?"

THE PUBLIC TO DECIDE.

 

After 22 weeks excellent work in providing daily meals for more than 400 children, the Local Relief Committee of the British Legion of ex-Service men are faced with a critical financial situation, and feel in duty bound to put the question to the public, "Shall we continue to carry on?" This is virtually the decision which was reached at a special meeting of the Relief Committee held in the club-room, Liverppol Road, Cadishead, on Monday evening, with Mr. Haydn Ellwood (chairman) presiding.

 

Mr. Arthur Ferguson, the indefatigable hon. secretary, reported that the funds were practically exhausted, and they would be unable to carry on without continued public support. The cost of the two centres was approximately £10 per week, the expenses having been cut down to the lowest possible minimum, without interfering with the extent of the meals supplied.

 

Many of the traders had worthily supported the fund in gifts of money and in kind, but little support had been recieved from the various religious, social and political organisations. It was only fair to say that they had not been directly appealed to for help and probably when it was known that the funds were low - insufficient at present, as a matter of fact, to enable them to pay their way - they might offer much needed support.

 

The Chairman thought an appeal might be made with advantage. They had carried on up to the present with efforts of one kind or another, and some donations, but no appeal of a general character had yet been issued, and the time had come when that should be done.

 

It was entirely in the hands of the public to say whether they were to continue or not. He could personally promise another concert at the "Globe," and doubtless other efforts could be arranged. It would be a pity to give up now that the horizon was getting clearer and the need would not last very much longer.

 

THE NEED GREATER THAN EVER.

Several of the workers expressed the opinion that the need had reached its most acute stage, and it would be a thousand pities if the work should have to close down for lack of funds. It would be a revelation to many people if they would only take the trouble to visit one of the centres when the mid-day meal was being served to hungry children.

 

The meal was very greatly relished daily by the children, many of whom ate with a relish which seemed to indicate that they had not had much breakfast at home. It would be a great disappointment to many parents, as well as children, if the feeding centres were closed.

 

The workers were quite willing and anxious to carry on, and surely the public of Irlam and Cadishead would not see a charitable work of this kind languish and die for lack of financial support.

 

The meeting discussed the desirability or otherwise of curtailing the meals and thereby reducing the cost, but the committee were of the opinion that the children ought to be well fed. Happily, the health of the young folk did not appear to have suffered up to the present, and it would seem cruel, and almost inhuman to close the kitchens or curtail to any great extent their work.

 

It was decided to issue an appeal to the churches and the various social and political organisations for support, and to at once organise one or two more efforts for the funds. The relief fund for the feeding of children, as was explained by the chairman, is now virtually put on its trial and it is up to the public, by the response that is made, to say whether the work shall be continued or not.

 

A further meeting to report progress will be held early next week, the good work being continued meanwhile.

Done