THE TWENTY-FIFTH
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, 1974

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.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND TOWN CLERK OF NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE

COUNCIL:
Mr. A. LAWRENCE, M.B.E., Chairman
Mr. A. JOHNSTON, Vice-Chairman.
Miss A. K. McCUTCHEON. Hon. Treasurer.

Members:
Mrs. A. CUNNINGHAM              Mrs. J. KIRKUP
Mrs. E. F. DAVISON                 Mrs. M. E. LAWRENSON
Mrs. G. DAVISON                   Mr. J. R. PEACOCK
Mrs. M. DIXON                      Mrs. O. VERITY
(Elected 6/9/73)                    Mr. F. WIND
      Mr. J. GRAY, M.B.E.
Mr. J. H. HICKS                     Mr. G. YEOMAN
(Elected 4/4/74)                      (Elected 4/4/74)

Resignations: Mr. J. M. BLACK and Mr. A. CARNEGIE

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, 109 Jesmond Road
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 1 NJ
Telephone: Newcastle 811259.

NEWCASTLE AND GATESHEAD
VOLUNTARY SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND

Sutherland Memorial Hall 
Jesmond Road.
Newcastle upon Tyne 
NE2 1NJ

16th January, 1975.

ANNUAL REPORT

YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1974

The Newcastle and Gateshead Voluntary Society for the Blind has pleasure in presenting its report for the year ended 31st March, 1974; this being the twenty fifth Annual Report. It is worthy of note however, that the Society has been in existence 107 years, being known as the Newcastle and Gateshead Home Teaching Society for the Blind prior to 1949.

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

Membership of the Council. Mr. A. Johnston was elected a Member of the Council in May 1973 and Mrs. M. Dixon, a representative of the Inner Wheel, Newcastle upon Tyne was elected a member in September 1973. These two members are a very welcome addition to the Council. Their election to the Council was approved at the Annual General Meeting of the Society on 6th December, 1973. Mr. A. Johnston was elected Vice Chairman of the Council in February 1974, in succession to Mr. J. R. Peacock who, owing to pressure of business, desired to be released from the Vice Chairmanship. Mr. Peacock remains a member of the Council. By a Resolution of the Council in May, 1973:

(a) Membership of the Council was increased from 16 to 18 (one representative of the Area Branch of the Royal National Institute for the Blind continuing as additional).

(b) A precise residential qualification for election to the Council was abandoned, and was substituted by a `preference to be given to a person who resides locally'.

Social, Educational and Recreational Activities. On most Monday and Wednesday afternoons Domino Players have continued to meet, talk and enjoy their games, and have a cup of tea and a biscuit.

Once a month a speaker has addressed a group of twenty to thirty men and women on a variety of subjects. Titles of some of the talks were 'A Trip to Canada', 'More Great Scientists', `Antiques', 'Owen Brannigan's Tyneside Songs' with musical accompaniment, `The Crumlin Road', `The Work of an Archivist'.

Two of our own visually handicapped contributed this year - Mr. Eric Young, 'An Education Course' he attended at Leeds and Mr. Knott gave an account of his Rehabilitation Course. The talks certainly had variety and they were heard with Close attention often ending with comments and questions from the audience. The Council and the 'Wednesday Speaker Group' are grateful for the services so readily given by the Speakers.

The Blind Choir, diminishing in numbers, continued their weekly afternoon session until the end of 1973. It is regretted that professional calls on the leader, Mrs. J. McManners, and her recent ill-health have precluded a continuance of the practice meetings. The Choir Members and the Council are highly appreciative of the efforts and time Mrs. McManners has devoted to the blind and all wish her a speedy recovery of good health.

Spring and Autumn week-end residential schools were held again at Beadnell. Around fifty men and women attended on each occasion. Talks were given by Mr. V. Bell on 'Science To-day' at the May visit and at the October visit by Mr. A. Sinclair on 'Gateshead and Newcastle Seventy to Eighty Years Ago'. Rapt attention was given to each speaker. Nostalgic memories were evoked about 'Old Gateshead' and 'Old Newcastle'.

A day out at Kielder Forest in 1972 was repeated in September 1973 to give an opportunity for the more energetic to measure themselves against a four mile walk over rough terrain. At the end of a delightful afternoon of walking, tea was served at the Byrness Community Village Hall by local ladies. The Forestry Commission and their officers are thanked for their helpfulness.

Once again the Rotary Club of Newcastle upon Tyne sponsored a summer outing to Whitley Bay. Mr. E. W. Martindale, President of the Rotary Club addressed the party of 148 blind men and women and their escorts before departure from the Hall and again at the Rex Hotel when tea was taken. Fine weather added to the enjoyment of the day.

The Northern Sinfonia Concert Society readily responded in August to our invitation to repeat the type of musical treat given a year earlier. The visit was one of a series of 'taking music to the people'. About sixty persons attended the Sutherland Memorial Hail including sighted elderly persons and handicapped as well as blind. The session was enjoyed and well applauded.

In November the Soroptimist Club of Newcastle upon Tyne gave their annual evening supper party to about 60 men and women who were entertained by a large choir and some instrumentalists, all from Central High School. Members of the Club provided transport for those of the blind who had excessive difficulty in travelling by public transport. An entertaining evening of excellent quality was enjoyed by all.

Tea and entertainment was again arranged by the Inner Wheel Club of Newcastle upon Tyne for about 20 blind persons at the Royal Turk's Head Hotel, Newcastle upon Tyne. The Council is grateful for the pleasure provided.

An evening outing in the summer to Tynemouth for the deaf blind was conducted by Social Workers of the Social Services Department of the Local Authority. The Voluntary Society was pleased to bear the cost of transport and refreshments.

Under the leadership of Mr. Brian Little, a well known local ornithologist and broadcaster, a party of around 20 men and women including some sighted escorts visited woods at Stocksfield for a 'bird song' walk. This was a most interesting event in the month of May. The sun shone and some birds obliged with their music. The Saturday morning walk was suitably concluded by light refreshments at Wellington Hotel, Riding Mill.

Attendance at the Christmas Party was lower than in former years, mainly owing to the Newcastle upon Tyne Social Centre having arranged a party on the same day, and the Social Centre having transport available for those who experience difficulty in travelling. Unfortunately the Local Authority party was cancelled owing to a strike of Ambulance Drivers whose vehicles were to have been used. About 90 blind and sighted escorts had an excellent meal, after which the Lord Mayor, Aid. Arthur Grey, C.B.E., who was accompanied by Mrs. Grey, addressed the gathering. The Lord Mayor's speech, interspersed with humour and ending with good wishes for the Festive Season, was a delight to the audience. Both the Lord Mayor and Mrs. Grey thoroughly enjoyed their visit. Mr. C. Peacock, helped by Mrs. Craggs, pianist, once again kindly organised party games and dancing. The entertainment which followed was given by Mrs. Storey, Soloist, accompanied by Mrs. Craggs, Mr. Nelson. Raconteur, and Mrs. Alsopp, Soloist and Mr. M. Turner, pianist. The artists were well appreciated.

A sum of £1 was sent to each of 91 men and women aged 75 and over who were unable to attend the Christmas Party owing to infirmity. 

Members of the group who used to take part in a biennial summer walking holiday under the leadership of Mrs. Pearey had their annual re-union party in December 1973 at the Sutherland Memorial Hall. Mrs. Casson, daughter of the late Mrs. Pearey made all the arrangements including catering and entertainment.

In mid-summer a party of about 30 blind men and women. Including some escorts, enjoyed an afternoon bus trip to Alnwick Castle and Alnmouth, where tea was taken. The Choir and some blind friends had a bus outing to Hexham and Allendale, tea being taken at Alston.

'Ryton Pathfinders' is an organisation which aims to 'keep the country pathways open'. An invitation to join them on a Sunday afternoon in October 1973 was accented by 18 blind men and women. After the walk tea was provided at the Church Army Home for Aged Men, Ryton Grove, by most kindly arrangements with Capt. Arlott who is in charge of the Home.

Services for the Blind. The Society continues to act as Almoner for the Royal Blind Pension Society and to distribute Wireless Sets for the Blind supplied by the British Wireless for the Blind Fund. Talking Book Machines rented by the British Talking Book Service are distributed through this Society and two-thirds of the rental is borne by the Society for those persons who are unemployed or retired. A stock of Symbol canes, dominoes and cards is maintained and may be obtained on application to the Society.

The North East Games Association continues to use the Hall for their competitions (Dominoes, Whist, and Darts).

There were twenty applications for Holiday grants (all conceded) at 23-15 per person.

Road Safety for the Blind. A Member of the Council, Mr. J. Gray, who is totally blind, is a campaigner for improved accessibility to buildings, methods of identification of roads and crossings, improvements in location and identification of street furniture (i.e. lamp posts, electricity control boxes, scaffolding and flower beds). He has discussed these matters with the Local Authority Department concerned. The Council agreed to add its support by informing the North Regional Association for the Blind and 'The New Beacon' (the monthly magazine of the Royal National Institute for the Blind) of Mr. Gray's activities.

Premises. A review of insurances - Fire, Liability, Boiler, Employers' Liability, Glass, Burglary and Household Comprehensive - has resulted in a considerable increase of premiums being paid to secure adequate insurance cover.

Having three caretakers within the year under review has created difficulties, particularly as weeks elapsed between termination of one caretaker and engagement of another. (Reference to later developments will be made by the Chairman at the Annual General Meeting).

The use of the Hall was granted without charge for a meeting of The Torch Trust' in June. The Torch Trust is a religious organisation devoted to the welfare of blind persons.

Co-operation with other Bodies. Representatives of the Council attended meetings of:

(1) North Regional Association for the Blind, October 1973 and March 1974.

(2) Northumberland and Tyneside Council of Social Services, April 1973. (Subject - M.E.A. House - a new building in Ellison Place to accommodate numerous Local Voluntary Societies engaged in Social Services) and October 1973, Annual General Meeting. (3) Standing Conference of Voluntary Societies (May 1973).

(4) The Newcastle upon Tyne Council for the Disabled. September 1973.

Finance. For Balance Sheet purposes the Auditors have switched from original cost to market value in recording investment assets. In consequence investments show a fall from £13,292 on 31/3/73 to £7,213 on 11/3/74. At least half the investments are Government stock and for most perhaps all of these, market value has been falling over very many years. As regards investments in Industrial Ordinary Shares we can but hope that the present low market values will rise as world and home trade revives. It is worthy of note that the asset - Sutherland Memorial Hall - is not valued.

Investment interest, a material part of the Society's income shows a modest increase (£75) compared with 1972/3 year. Here we are hopeful that the Industrial Companies in which we hold shares, all of which companies are of Trustee status, will maintain their rates of dividends.

The extent of the Society's activities depend upon income, the major part of which is received from the Royal National Institute for the Blind. Amounts received vary from year to year. Should inflationary effects and unemployment increase appreciably. Income from the general public via the R.N.I.B. may fall during the present financial year (1974/5).

Appreciation. Grateful thanks are offered to:

(1) Mr. G. W. West, J.P., Organising Secretary of the Northern Area of the Royal National Institute for the Blind, for his advice and helpfulness as a Member of the Council and its Finance Committee.

(2) Miss A. K. McCutcheon, Honorary Treasurer for her diligence and ability in dealing with accounting requirements of the Society and the Auditors, and also for her extensive assistance to the Secretary,.

(3) Mrs. Verity and Mrs. Lawrenson, Council Members and Miss J. Pearey for their regular superintendence of the Games Sessions at the Hall each week.

(4) Mrs. Whiteley for her devoted response to the many and varied calls upon her, often without regard to late working and also for her initiative and personal activities in connection with indoor and outdoor events.

STATISTICS.

Supplied by the Newcastle upon Tyne Department of Health and Social Services for the year ended 31st December, 1973.

Newcastle upon Tyne.

Male	Female Total.

Under 5 years .....................................................  3   -       3
Aged 5-15 years .................................................  6   5      11
Aged 16-20 years …………………………………  2   3       5
Aged 21-39 years .............................................  13  18      31
Aged 40-49 years .............................................  15  27      42
Aged 50-59 years .............................................  30  32      62
Aged 60-64 years ………………………………..  20  19      39
Aged 65-74 years .............................................  61  62      123
Aged 75+ .........................................................  151 77       228

                                               301  243     544

SUBSCRIPTIONS AND DONATIONS

                                                        £	P

Anonymous .............................................................	3	23
Mrs. W. Anderson ....................................................	2	00
Miss I. Bradley .........................................................	5	00
J. Burn's Trust .........................................................	1	05
Cramlington Parish Church .....................................	20	47
Mrs. A. Cunningham ................................................	1	00
Dr. Epstein ...............................................................	5	25
Mr. W. Gascoigne ....................................................	2	50
Mrs. M. Johnston ....................................	………………. 3	00
Mr. J. Peacock .........................................................	1	00
Newcastle upon Tyne Rotary Club ..........................	88	89
R.A.O. B. .................................................................	10	00
Torch Trust ..............................................................	2	00
In Memoriam (Mrs. Staveley) ..................................	20	55
Mrs. F. M. Watson (deceased) ................................	500	00

	                                                  £665	 96

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

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

ANNUAL MEETING

The twenty-fifth Annual General Meeting of the Newcastle and Gateshead Voluntary Society for the Blind was held in the Sutherland Memorial Hall, 109 Jesmond Road, Newcastle upon Tyne on Thursday, 16th January, 1975.

The Notice convening the meeting was read by the Secretary.

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

Also present were Mr. J. Gray, Mr. A. Johnston, Mrs. M. E. Lawrenson, Mrs. Morris, Mr. J. S. Ormston, Miss Spinks, Mrs. O. Verity, Miss H. Wadsworth, Mr. G. W. West, Mr. F. Wind and Mr. G. Yeoman.

APOLOGIES for absence were received from: 

The Lord Bishop of Newcastle upon Tyne. 
Sir Nicholas Garrow.
Mrs. A. J. Cunningham. 
Mrs. G. Davison.
Mr. J. H. Hicks. 
Mrs. J. Kirkup. 
Mrs. Mathenson. 
Miss J. E. Pearey. 
Mr. J. Peacock.

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Minutes of the twenty-fourth Annual General Meeting had been circulated. They were taken as read and confirmed.

Approval of Election to the Council and the Society under paragraph 4(c) of the Constitution of Mr. G. Yeoman and Mr. J. H. Hicks was proposed by the Chairman, seconded by Mr. Grey and agreed unanimously.

Chairman's Comments. He spoke of the resignation of Mr. Carnegie through immobility and of Mr. Black on account of a change of his employment. These resignations are regretted. Both remain members of the Society. He referred to the death in September 1973 of Miss E. McKinley who had been interested in welfare for the blind for over thirty years. She resigned from the Council in June 1969 on account of ill health, after many years' service on the Council as Member and Vice-Chairman.

The revision of Local Authority boundaries as from 1st April, 1974 has not resulted in any change of the area covered by the Voluntary Society. Northumberland County Blind Persons' Trust Fund has continued to serve the blind in those areas transferred from Northumberland County to Newcastle upon Tyne Metropolitan District.

Owing to extreme difficulty of obtaining and retaining a caretaker the Council decided to engage a part time cleaner (non-resident). The position will be kept under review.

Instead of having a Christmas Party in December 1974 the Council decided to send seasonal greetings and a gift of £1 to every registered blind person (Workshops for the Blind pensioners and employees were not included as the Workshops have their own Fund). Reconciliation of the Society's list of registered Blind Persons with that of the Local Authority proved a formidable task. Adopting a suggestion by Mrs. Verity that to save postage the greetings letters should be delivered by hand by volunteers from the Council of the Society a number of members spent many hours looking for streets and house numbers. The Chairman said he was taking the opportunity to put on record his sincere and grateful thanks to all who helped with the revision of the lists of blind persons or with the preparation of around 500 envelopes and contents, or assumed the role of postman, or all three activities. Also he thanked relatives of the members who assisted with the deliveries. The personal know edge about blind persons that Mrs. Whiteley and Mr. Yeoman have was one of the utmost value. For the long periods of time and effort that they spent and also for the extensive assistance of Miss McCutcheon and Mr. Johnston, special thanks are due. The carrying through of the exercise was a splendid example of a rally round by a substantial number of the available Council Members. Personal delivery of the greetings has been a useful experience in a number of ways and in particular through members meeting and talking to blind men and women in their own homes.

The greetings letter invited lonely and home bound men and women to state whether they would like to be visited. The replies will be the subject for consideration by the Council.

Report for the year ended 31st March, 1974. The Chairman presented and moved the adoption of the report. Mrs. Verity seconded the motion which was agreed unanimously.

Accounts. Copies of the Income and Expenditure and of the Balance Sheet were available to members present. Compared with 1973 investment income increased by £75. Subscriptions and donations by £100. The total amount received from the Royal National Institute for the Blind was £2,263, but £670 of this was collected in Gateshead and was due to the Gateshead Trust, leaving £1,593 which is £87 less than the previous year.

Total income for the year was up by £126.

Services for the Blind show that Holiday Grants increased by £98. Grants to aged, sick and infirm were £130 compared with £68.

Talking Book rentals and wireless decreased by £7 and outings and parties were £509 compared with £514 for the previous year.

Total expenditure increased by £157.

Expenses for the Sutherland Memorial Hall decreased by £14. Insurance and rates went up by £87. Heating and lighting costs remained about the same. Caretaker and cleaning costs decreased by £45 due to being without a caretaker part of the time.

Administrative and general expenses increased by £7.

There was a surplus for the year of £522 but £4,185 has been written off the General Charity Fund Investments. These are stated at the lower of cost and market value. At 31st March, 1973 investments were stated at cost. As a result of the writing off there is a deficiency for the year of £3,663. The C. Liddell Fund Investments were handed over to the Gateshead Trust for the Blind in 1974.

Mr. J. S. Ormston, representing the Society's Trustees (Lloyds Bank Ltd.) spoke of the need to try to avoid any Capital Expenditure which could necessitate sale of investments at currently low prices.

Miss McCutcheon moved and Mr. Johnston seconded the adoption of the accounts which were unanimously agreed.

Election of the Officers of the Council. Mr. J. S. Ormston moved and Miss H. Wadsworth seconded the re-election of the Council in its entirety. This was agreed unanimously.

Re-election of the Honorary Auditors and Honorary Solicitors was proposed by Mr. Johnston. Seconded by Mrs. Lawrenson and agreed unanimously.

Vote of thanks. Mr. Wind, on behalf of members of the Society and Council thanked the officers of the Council and Mrs. Whiteley for their services.

The Chairman, in declaring the close of the meeting thanked Members of the Council and the Society for their attendance.

REPORT OF THE AUDITORS

In our opinion the foregoing balance sheet and notes and the annexed income and expenditure accounts of the Society give a true and fair view of the state of the Society's affairs as at 31st March, 1974, and of the deficiency for the year on the general charity fund and of the surpluses for the year on the special funds.

PRICE WATERHOUSE & Co., 
Chartered Accountants,
Hon. Auditors.

31 Mosley Street
Newcastle upon Tyne 
4th October, 1974.