Report of the Committee of Management and Medical Director : 1940 / Papworth Village Settlement.

  • Papworth Village Settlement (Cambridge, England)
Date:
1940
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report of the Committee of Management and Medical Director : 1940 / Papworth Village Settlement. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    modation is strained, giving shelter, treatment and work to men suttering from the ravages of war. What better, what finer reference, therefore, can be made to the past year than to say it brought in its wake' the birth of a project which will be far reaching in the re-settlement of the post war world, the rehabilitation of those fallen by the wayside. No longer will it be necessary tor them to be made to feel that their period of usefulness is finished. With proper attention, adequate supervision, modern workshops and what is almost equally important, modern machinery, there is not the slightest, reason why the disabled should not join the producing section of our community and become useful and valuable citizens. Management Research. The year 1940 will, in my opinion, be afforded an important place in the history of Papworth, as the year of accomplishment; the year when the Industries passed from the vale of perpetual struggle to one of real achieve¬ ment. By becoming members of various Employers Federations, misunderstandings, and petty jealousies were eradicated. Contem¬ poraries, competitors, by closer association, came to know of our hopes, our ambitions, our difficulties. As members of the Man¬ agement Research Group we became more widely known and understood. The frank discussions upon Managerial problems and the assistance at all times, freely given by the M.R.G., were of the utmost value. Trade Union Recognition. From the workers point of view, the recognition of Trade Unions in our Factories by the Management has brought about a better understanding, a better feeling. In passing from “ A happy little family ” to a large commercial undertaking, as it were, never for one moment has the principle of Papworth been allowed, nor will be allowed, to depart from the horizon of those respon¬ sible for carrying on the work of our much lamented Director and Founder, Sir Pendrill Varrier-Jones. He has shown us the way, and with the very valuable confidence and help of the Governing Committee, which has made it possible to report stillfurtherconsolldation, we feel confident of continued progress. THE SOCIAL LIFE Now, more than ever, is a sound social life of value to a rural community; now, more than ever, are we thrown back upon our own devices. Petrol rationing, the black-out, and Civil Defence duties, have combined to deter (Courtesy of “ LIFE ’’) Qut for Papworth this child might well have been dead—and his father too. As it is, he is growing up free from tuberculosis. expeditions abroad in search of recreation, and have also seriously affected the visits of our good friends of the peace years to whom we were accustomed to look for relaxation and entertainment during the winter months. No Flower Show. In 1940, too, for the first time since its opening, we have had to deprive ourselves of the pleasure of our annual flower show, but I am glad to say that all other activities were carried on with no slackening whatsoever, indeed, many found time for new and addi¬ tional interests despite the many calls on their time and energy. It is of interest to note that the Civil Defence services of the village are almost entirely manned by ex-patients, the few exceptions being resident members of the hospital staff. The special police, the air-raid wardens, the 'Fire Service, the First-Aid Party, and the Home Guard are efficient and fully manned, and maintain constant watch and ward over the Settlement by day and night. New Activities. All the various clubs and societies continue their multifarious activities in their own peculiar ways; evening classes and lectures are as popular as ever, the W.E.A. being very successful in this direction. Two new ventures are worthy of note; a violin class and the formation of a choral society. The cinema [13]