THE TWENTY-FOURTH
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
NEWCASTLE AND GATESHEAD
VOLUNTARY SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND

(Formerly known as the Home Teaching Society for the Blind)

(ESTABLISHED 1867)

Registered under the National Assistance Act, 1948

FOR THE

YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1973

PATRON:
LADY ALLENDALE

VICE-PRESIDENTS:
The Rt. Hon. the LORD MAYOR OF NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE.
The LORD BISHOP OF NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE PRESIDENT OF THE NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE & DISTRICT FREE CHURCH FEDERAL COUNCIL
THE PRINCIPAL CITY OFFICER AND TOWN CLERK OF NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE

COUNCIL:
Mrs. H. P. PEAREY, Chairman (deceased 13/9/72).
Mr. A. LAWRENCE, M.B.E., Chairman (elected 1/2/73)
Mrs. G  DAVISON, Vice-Chairman (resigned 1/2/73) Mr. J. R. PEACOCK, Vice-Chairman (elected 1/2/73).
Miss A. K. McCUTCHEON, Hon. Treasurer.

Members:

Mrs. F. H. BAKER (resigned 17/6/73).
Mr. J. M. BLACK (elected 1/2/73) 
Mr. A. CARNEGIE
Mrs. A. J. CUNNINGHAM 
Mrs. E. F. DAVISON
Mrs. G. DAVISON
Mr. J. GRAY, M.B.E. (elected 5/5/72) 
Mrs. J. KIRKUP.
Mrs. M. E. LAWRENSON 
Mrs. O. VERITY.
Mr. F. WIND.

Royal National Institute for the Blind (One Member): 
Mr. G. W. WEST, F.C.C.S., J.P.

TRUSTEES:
Messrs. LLOYDS BANK LTD. (Trustee and Executor Dept.).

HON. AUDITORS:
Messrs. PRICE WATERHOUSE & Co.

HON. SOLICITORS:
Messrs. DAVIES, BELL & REED.

SECRETARY:
Mrs. C. I. WHITELEY.

The Sutherland Memorial Hall, Jesmond Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, 2 Telephone: Newcastle 811259.

NEWCASTLE AND GATESHEAD
VOLUNTARY SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND

Sutherland Memorial Hall
Jesmond Road
Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 1NJ
6th December, 1973

ANNUAL REPORT
YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1973.

The Newcastle and Gateshead Voluntary Society for the Blind has pleasure in presenting its report for the year ended 31st March, 1973; this being the twenty-fourth Annual Report. It is worthy of note however, that the Society has, in fact, a record of 106 years’ service for the blind. In 1949 the name was changed to its present title from that of the Newcastle and Gateshead Home Teaching Society for the Blind.

From 1st April, 1971 Gateshead Trust for the Blind assumed responsibility for the welfare of the blind of Gateshead.

Membership of the Council. At the Annual General Meeting held on the 7th December, 1972, tribute was paid by Mrs. G. Davison, Vice-Chairman to the lifetime work for the blind of Mrs. H. P. Pearey who died on the 13th September, 1972. We still mourn the loss of a notable Chairman whose experience and wisdom have been of the utmost value in the changing circumstances of the present time in the field of social welfare.
Tribute was also paid at the last Annual General Meeting to the work of Miss B. A. Laverick who died on 23rd August, 1972. She was Honorary Treasurer of the Society for many years until 1969 and had been active in welfare for the blind for over fifty years. She remained a member of the Society after resignation from the Council in 1969 owing to ill-health.

Further honour was paid to these two ladies by obituaries printed in the report of the Annual General Meeting for the year ended 31/3/72 and by obituary notices in the magazine The New Beacon'.

Mrs. G. Davison, Vice-Chairman acted as Chairman until February, 1973. She then felt that, owing to her poor health and heavy domestic responsibilities arising from the continuing serious illness of her husband, she must resign from the Vice-Chairmanship but was willing to continue as a Council Member. During her many years of service as a Gateshead member of the Council Mrs. Davison's knowledge of the problems of blind Gateshead residents was most helpful. Members received notification of the resignation from the Vice-Chairmanship with understanding and expressed the hope that the health of both Mr. Davison and Mrs. Davison would improve. 
Mr. A. Lawrence was elected Chairman, and Mr. J. R. Peacock elected Vice-Chairman - with effect from 2nd February, 1973.

Welcomed to the Council on 5th May, 1972 was Mr. J. Gray a totally blind officer of the Disablement Resettlement Service of the Department of Employment. Welcomed also was Mr. J. M. Black elected on 1/2/73.

Social and Recreational Activities. The pattern of activities established over recent years was continued.

Domino enthusiasts have met on most Monday and Wednesday afternoons throughout the year, each session ending with tea and biscuits. Numbers attending have declined slightly - partly owing to travel difficulties arising from new road construction in the central areas of the City and partly owing to illnesses.

'Speaker' Meetings on the second Wednesday afternoon of most months have continued to attract a steady attendance of twenty to thirty men and women. Subjects included - Gilbert and Sullivan (with musical illustrations), Port of Tyne Authority, Fire Services, Bird Song (with tape recorded illustrations), Tyneside Passenger Transport Authority. Great Scientists and City Planning. The audiences were most appreciative of the talks and we are indebted to the various speakers who freely gave their time and effort.

Under the enthusiastic leadership of Mrs. McManners the Choir has met on Tuesday afternoons at the Hall and has visited 'Over 60' Clubs and other organisations to entertain.

A pleasant outing to Gilsland in May was unfortunately marred by poor weather. In June a party of 45 persons visited Raby Castle. 

Residential Week-end Schools at Beadnell, held in May and October continued to be popular. Numbers attending were fifty to sixty including some men and women from the Workshops for the Adult Blind and some from Gateshead. We are greatly indebted to the Speakers, Dr. McCord and Mr. Rowe (subject - Local History) and Mr. Moss (subject - Conservation and Pollution) who gave their services freely.

In August a party of forty-four travelled to Craster by bus and after a picnic lunch, walked the seven miles to Beadnell via the coastal path. They boarded the bus at Beadnell and were taken to Seahouses where high tea was served. The weather was ideal; the walking distance was strenuous for a few; all declared their pleasure about the outing.

In adventurous walk in September in Kidder Forest was arranged with the Forestry Commission by Mr. Gray, a member of the Council of the Society. He and some blind friends in a preliminary visit traversed the ground to test for safety. Starting from Byrness, and accompanied by a Forestry Commission Officer a party of thirty-three men and women (sighted escorts and blind persons) had a delightful walk through four and a half miles of Forest Tracks and roadways and negotiated stepping stones over a narrow stream. After the walk an excellent tea was taken at the Village Hall of Byrness. We are grateful to the Forestry Commission, to their Officers for their care and helpfulness, to the Village Hall 'Waitresses' and to Mr. Gray for proposing and arranging the walk. An account 'Walking for Pleasure' was printed in the 'New Beacon' and the B.B.C. showed some scenes taken at the test trial walk. The 'Sunday Sun' reported on the walk and published a photograph showing the party who undertook the 'test for safety'.

It is over forty years since the Rotary Club of Newcastle upon Tyne first arranged a summer outing for the Blind men and women of Newcastle. This type of outing has been sponsored every year since, except during World War Two. On a fine day in July the Deputy Lord Mayor and Deputy Lady Mayoress, Alderman J. Evans and Councillors Mrs. A. M. Evans gave a happy send off to 175 persons (blind and some sighted escorts) from the Hall. The Rotary Club distributed sweets and cigarettes before departure of the buses and the Club President, Mr. J. H. H. Gillespie, addressed the party at tea at the Rex Hotel, Whitley Bay. We are grateful to the Rotary Club for its continued interest.

A party of ten deaf/blind men and women travelled by bus to Tynemouth for an evening stroll along the Pier and then had refreshments at a local restaurant. The outing was arranged by the Newcastle Social Services Department specialist social workers who organised the outing, the cost being borne by the Voluntary Society.

In December the Inner Wheel Club of Newcastle upon Tyne provided tea and entertainment enjoyed by a party of about twenty men and women at the Royal Turk's Head Hotel. We thank the Club for its continued interest.

Once again the Soroptimist Club of Newcastle upon Tyne entertained blind persons and their guides at a supper party in November, at the Sutherland Memorial Hall. This is an event greatly appreciated, more especially as the Club provides private transport for those who have excessive travelling difficulties.

The Northern Sinfonia Concert Society, as part of its plan to bring music to the people, offered to give a concert at the Sutherland Memorial Hall to blind people. The offer was gladly accepted and in December a group of instrumentalists played a number of orchestral items to an audience rather small in number, but highly appreciative.

Another musical treat was provided in February 1973 by Mr. Wappitt of Radio Newcastle when two members of his staff played records of old-time tunes and songs.

The two highlights of the year for the Blind are the summer outing to Whitley Bay and the Christmas Party. Christmas Party 1972 maintained the excellent standard of previous years. Games and dancing (M.C.: Mr. Peacock, Junr.) occupied the time between tea and entertainment. A Male Voice Group from South Shields - conducted by a lady - gave a most lively and happy rendering of songs. At the tea period Civic Greetings and good wishes for the holiday season were conveyed by the Sheriff, Alderman T. A. Waters who was accompanied by his wife, the Sheriff's lady. A Christmas gift of 50p was sent to 120 elderly and infirm men and women who were unable to attend the Party.

The final event of 1972 was the annual re-union party on the 28th December of the group of walkers who were members of Mrs. Pearey's bi-annual one week walking holiday in various parts of Great Britain.

Services for the Blind. The Society has continued to distribute Wireless Sets supplied by the British Wireless for the Blind Fund and to arrange for the hire of Tasking Book Machines owned by the British Talking Book Service for the Blind. Around one hundred persons in the area use these machines. The yearly rental for each Talking Book Machine is £3 of which two-thirds is paid by the Society. In the case of non-employed persons the rental cost is nil as the Local Authority has undertaken to contribute £1. The Society acts as Almoner for the Royal Blind Pensions Fund.

Holiday grants of £3.15 each have been paid to twenty-one persons including nine deaf/blind. Under the provisions of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 the Local Authority make holiday grants to persons considered to be in need. Any such persons who have received a Grant from the Society are asked to refund the whole or a part of the Society's grant. Grants are made toward the cost of walking sticks for the blind and other special equipment. e.g. Braille watches.

The use of the Hall is made available to the North East Games Association whenever requested, usually on three occasions a year, on Saturdays.

Premises. Leakage of water through the ceiling of the Chair Store has been remedied. Re-plastering is yet to be done.

A major work has been the installation of a gas central heating boiler, following condemnation of the old solid fuel boiler by a Boiler Inspector of the Insurance Company concerned. Consultants advised on the requirements and specifications and their recommendation to choose gas heating and to accept the lowest of three tenders was agreed by the Council. The total cost, including Consultant's fees, Gas and Electrical work and some brickwork, was £1,574.86.

Arising from an insurance claim following theft from the Hall of an Amplifier Control Box, the Insurance Company recommended the fitting of safety locks on the main outer door of the Hall and on the outer door of the ground floor office quarters. This has been done and the theft insurance was paid.

The Society pays insurance premiums covering Fire, Public Liability, Boiler, Employer's Liability, Glass, Burglary and Household Comprehensive. Having regard to inflation and the consequential need to ensure adequacy of sums assured, a review of all insurance was started.

Co-operation with other Bodies. Contacts with the Social Services Department of the Local Authority have been cordial. Most of the intercommunication was concerned with satisfying the particular needs of individuals.

Representatives of the Society attended meetings of the Northumberland and Tyneside Council of Social Services, the newly formed Newcastle upon Tyne Council for the Disabled and the standing Conference of Voluntary Organisations.

A meeting in Harrogate of the North Regional Association for the Blind which was to be attended by the Chairman and Secretary, was cancelled owing to a strike in the Gas Industry.

Finance. Total income varies from year to year. It is pleasing to note that for the year under review there was an appreciable increase compared with the previous two years. (£517 and £374). Net Current Assets at £643 shew a large reduction compared with last year (down £804) and also with previous years. This reduction arises mainly through the cost of £1,574 for the installation of the Gas Central Heating Boiler being charged by the Hon. Auditors to Capital Account and not against Income. Fixed Assets show some counter-balance by an increase of £1,327, this sum being the valuation of the Gas Central Heating Boiler.

Appreciation. Mr. G. W. West, J.P., Organising Secretary of the Royal National Institute for the Blind, and responsible, among other matters, for Flag Day and other collections in the North for the Blind, is also a member of the Council of the Society and of its Finance Committee. His knowledge and experience of the world of the Blind is readily made available to the Society. We are most grateful for his helpful contributions in the Council deliberations.

Miss A. K. McCutcheon, our Honorary Treasurer, spends much time at home and at the Hall in maintaining cash and Bank records and also gives considerable assistance to the Secretary. Her reports and financial statements at Council and Finance Committee Meetings are always clear and concise. We are fortunate to have such competent assistance, so readily given.

We are grateful for the efforts of Mrs. Verity and Mrs. Lawrenson, members of the Council, and Miss J. E. Pearey, a voluntary helper, at Games Sessions at the Hall, at other indoor functions, and at outdoor events. Their devotion week after week throughout the year is well appreciated by the Council and by the blind men and women with whom they have personal contact.

Mrs. Whiteley, our Secretary, has been with the Society many years. Her knowledge and experience of the work of the Society and her knowledge of individual blind men and women is invaluable. Her assistance in recreational and social activities - indoor and outdoor - takes toll of her time. She is always busy in the interests of the Society: her service is acknowledged gratefully.

We acknowledge with grateful thanks, the voluntary services of Mrs. J. McManners, conductor and pianist of the Choir. The Choir practice is a mid-week highlight for a happy group of singers.

STATISTICS

Supplied by the Newcastle upon Tyne Health and Social Services.
Department for the year ended 31st December, 1972.

Newcastle upon Tyne.
                              
                                Male Female Total.

Under 5 years ..............................	1	3	4
Aged 5-15 years …………………… 4	6	10
Aged 16-20 years ………………….. 4	0	4
Aged 21-39 years .......................... 16	12	28
Aged 40-49 years …………………  25	13	38
Aged 50-59 years ...........................	31	31	62
Aged 60-64 years ..........................	21	23	44
Aged 65-74 years ..........................	69	73	142
Ager 75+ .....................................	78	145 223

	                                249  306  555

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Messrs. Davies Bell & Reed, Honorary Solicitors. Messrs. Price Waterhouse & Co., Honorary Auditors. British Wireless for the Blind Fund.
Newcastle upon Tyne Inner Wheel Club. 
Newcastle upon Tyne Rotary Club.
Newcastle upon Tyne Soroptimist Club.		

SUBSCRIPTIONS AND DONATIONS

                                         £   P
Anonymous ............................................	3	40.
J. Burns Trust .........................................	1	05.
Miss I. Bradley ........................................	2	00.
Mrs. D. Byrne ........................................	2	00.
Cramlington Parish Church .................... 7	29.
Mr. E. L. Dobson .................................... 3	15.
Dr. Epstein .............................................	8	94.
Mrs. Foster ............................................	2	00.
Mr. W. Gascoigne .................................. 2	50.
Mrs. M. B. Johnston ............................... 2	10.
Mr. R. Knott ............................................	1	00.
Mr. A. Lawrence ..................................... 2	00.
Miss A. K. McCutcheon .......................... 2	00.
Mrs. Morris ............................................	2	00.
Newcastle upon Tyne City Treasurer .... 15	00.
Newcastle upon Tyne Inner Wheel Club 10	00.
Newcastle upon Tyne Rotary Club ........ 103	 95.
Miss Orde ............................................... 3	00.
Royal Antedeluvian Order of Buffaloes ...10	00.
Mr. J. Richardson (deceased) ............... 378	 36.
Mr. Waters .............................................	2	00.
Young Wives Club, Blakelaw................. 2	00.

	                                   £565	74

ANNUAL MEETING.

The twenty-fourth Annual General Meeting of the Newcastle and Gateshead Voluntary Society for the Blind was held in the Sutherland Memorial Hall, Jesmond Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, on Thursday, 5th December, 1973.

The Notice convening the meeting was read by the Secretary.

Mr. A. Lawrence was in the Chair. The Honorary Treasurer Miss A. K. McCutcheon and the Secretary Mrs. C. I. Whiteley were in attendance. 

Also present were Mrs. E. F. Davison, Mrs. G. Davison, Mrs. M. Dixon, Mr. J. Gray, Mr. A. Johnston, Mrs. J. Kirkup, Mrs. M. E. Lawrenson, Mrs. E. Matthenson, Mr. J. S. Ormston, Mr. J. R. Peacock, Miss J. E. Pearey, Miss H. Spinks, Mrs. O. Verity, Miss H. Wadsworth and Mr. F. Wind.

Apologies for absence were received from Mr. and Mrs. A. Anderson, Mrs. A. J. Cunningham, Mr. J. Ireland (Chief City Officer), Mr. J. D. Long, Mr. E. B. Roycroft (Director of Social Services), and Mr. G. W. West.

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.

The Minutes of the Twenty-Third Annual General Meeting had been circulated, were taken as read and confirmed.

Approval of election to the Council of the Society (under para. 4 (c) of the Constitution) of Mr. J. Gray, Mr. J. M. Black, Mrs. M. Dixon and Mr. A. Johnston was requested and granted unanimously.

Election to Membership of the Society. The election of Mrs. McManners and Mr. J. S. Ormston to membership of the Society was moved by the Chairman, seconded by Mrs. Lawrenson and agreed unanimously.

Chairman's comments on recent and current events and some future prospects. Life at the Sutherland Hall had been more difficult as there has been no caretaker for the past two months. The Secretary, Mrs. Whiteley, with her customary resourcefulness managed to secure two part time cleaners for occasional days. They worked well. Thanks are due to Mrs. Whiteley for the performance of a variety of caretaker's duties. Mr. West arranged for cleaning of his offices, the cost being borne by the R.N.I.B. I am grateful to him and his staff for their cheerful acceptance of unavoidable difficulties.

The Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 made mandatory upon the Local Authorities the provision of a wide variety of welfare activities. (One outcome is a well-designed and purpose built Health and Social Centre - opened early this year). Excellent facilities are available for disabled and elderly men and women to work in well-equipped joinery and pottery workshops and to learn and work at dress making, leather craft, chair caning, etc. There are Games rooms, reading areas and a canteen.

A few mobile blind men and women who play games regularly at the Sutherland Memorial Hall go to the Shieldfield centre once a week. Three or four blind women, who are not fully mobile, are taken by School buses from their homes to the Centre and back on two days a week. Another Welfare Centre, and possibly more than one, may eventually be established by the Corporation to serve other districts of the City. All this should be welcomed as long as the Shieldfield Centre, or any other centre organised by the Local Authority, attracts a good number of disabled and elderly persons. If usage by more blind persons increases there would be a diminishing need for the Voluntary Society to provide similar facilities. More of our income could and should be devoted to activities not covered by National and Local Authorities' provisions. We must, however, keep in mind the points of view of blind persons as to where and how they prefer to occupy their time.

Re-drawing of Local Authorities' boundaries (effective from the 1st April, 1974) may involve the Society, as Gosforth, Throckley, Newburn and parts of Longbenton will be within the Newcastle upon Tyne District Council. Contact has been made with the Northumberland County Blind Persons' Trust Fund with the objective of trying to ensure that there will be continuity of welfare provisions for registered blind persons by either Northumberland County Trust Fund or our Voluntary Society. Should the Voluntary Society become responsible it will be necessary to ascertain whether blind persons living in the areas named would make any use of Sutherland Memorial Hall. In Gosforth a local Committee runs a Social Centre. Blind residents in Newburn, Throckley and Longbenton would be involved in bus travel over lengthy distances to and from home. The widening of the range of Local Authority Welfare Services, the availability of Shieldfield Social Centre (linked with a clinic), possible opening of other Local Authority Centres in parts of the Newcastle upon Tyne District, the existence of a locally run centre for the blind in Gosforth (there may be others in Throckley or Newburn) - all these factors pose a problem. We may need to consider whether or not we should retain Sutherland Memorial Hall and whether we should endeavour to establish small Social Centres in various parts of the Newcastle upon Tyne District, especially the more heavily populated parts of the perimeter.

To add to the present and future complexities and in conjunction with them we must keep in mind, (1) as Sutherland Memorial Hall is 70 years old repair costs could become more burdensome, (2) the cost of caretaking and heating of the premises and interior and exterior decoration, and (3) the extreme difficulties in obtaining and retaining a caretaker. A further factor to have in mind is the increased travel difficulties when Jesmond Road is widened and becomes a major motor road.

We have been living for many years through a period of change in the field of welfare for the disabled and the elderly. In the coming years more changes can be expected through the operation of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1970, revision of town boundaries, and travel difficulties. Most changes will probably take place slowly. Whatever these may be and whenever they occur the primary hope and objective for us must be more effective and probably wider ranging welfare facilities to benefit blind men and women. For some this means help to compensate in practical ways for loss of some of the activities, mobility, pleasures, interests and other features of daily life which the sighted so often take for granted.

Report for the year ended 31st March, 1973. The Chairman presented and moved the Adoption of the Report, Mr. J. R. Peacock, Vice-Chairman, seconded the motion which was agreed unanimously.

Accounts. A copy of the Income and Expenditure Accounts and the Balance Sheet were available for each person present at the meeting. Presenting the Accounts the Hon. Treasurer Miss A. K. McCutcheon said that investment income increased by £23 and the yearly investment interest on the Catherine Liddell Fund was paid to Gateshead Trust for the Blind. Subscriptions and Donations increased by £8 and included a bequest of £378. The amount received from the Royal National Institute for the Blind is less £658 transferred to the Gateshead Trust for the Blind and in spite of that, increased by £470 on the previous year.

Total income for the year increased by £517.

Expenses on services for the Blind increased by £33 - £70 less was spent on Holiday Grants, nothing on Clothing and bedding and £11 on grants. Talking book rentals were up by £11 and outings and parties by £44. Sutherland Memorial Hall expenses increased by £20. Heating and Lighting was down by £97 and the cost of the caretaker by £43. Rates and Insurance were up by £15 and depreciation by £145. Administration and general expenses increased by £23 mainly on printing and postages. The surplus for the year was £504 as compared with £90 for the previous year. Miss McCutcheon said she had much pleasure in presenting the report for approval and adoption and Mr. F. Wind seconded the adoption of the accounts, which were unanimously agreed.

Election of the Council. Mr. J. S. Ormston expressed his appreciation of the interest and efforts of the Members of the Council and of the work done. He moved the re-election of the Council in its entirety, for the year. Miss H. Wadsworth seconded the election, which was agreed unanimously.

Re-election of the Honorary Auditors and Honorary Solicitors was proposed by Mrs. J. Kirkup and seconded by Mr. A. Johnston and agreed. 

Vote of thanks. In proposing a Vote of Thanks to the Officers of the Society, Mr. J. Gray expressed his gratitude for the continuance of the voluntary services carried out by the Society for the benefit of the registered blind members of the City.

The Chairman in declaring the end of the meeting, thanked Members and visitors for their attendance and support.