£700 Legacy For The Chalet - 12th March 1965

A legacy of about £700 from the estate of the late Miss Masters, of Westward Ho! was reported at the annual meeting of Bideford and Distric Old People's Welfare Committee at the Rose of Torridge Cafe on Tuesday.
The meeting was told that in its 18 years' existence, The Chalet, the home for old people run by the committee at Westward Ho! had accommodated a total of 86 residents.
At present two residents are over 90.
Mr W J G Coad, committee chairman, referred to the resignation because of health of Col G I Stanley Smith, a vice-chairman, and spoke appreciatively of his services to the cause from its earliest days.
Work at The Chalet had proceeded efficiently adn happily, thanks to the committee's officers, the sub-committee and their leaders, and the staff at the home, and they were grateful too, to outside friends for practical help and interest. Their anonymous 'fairy godmother' had written offering further help. To all who had helped in any way thanks were recorded.
The financial report was presented by the hon. treasurer, Mr A Gardner, and Miss A E Lee, presenting the report of the House Committee, said a major task undertaken during the year was the refurnishing and redecoration of the kitchen. The home always looked fresh and clean and was warm and comfortable, and congratulating the staff on this, Miss Lee also spoke of the happy, pleasant way they dealt with the old people.
In her report, the hon. secretary, Miss J Phillips, referred sympatheticall to the illness of the matron (Mrs Lawrence) whom they hoped to see back on duty soon. The staff and voluntary helpers had rallied splendidly to meet this problem and the committee were particularly indebted to Miss Bettridge, Mrs Fish and Miss Petley.
Thanks were expressed to the trustees of the Bridge Street Church for the use of a room for meetings.
The officers were re-elected as follows: chairman, Mr W J G Coad; vice-chairmen, Miss A E Lee and Mr R G Smith; hon treasurer, Mr A Gardner; hon secretary, Miss J Phillips. The committee was re-elected.