BLIND SOCIAL CLUB

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 94, 17 October 1940, Page 16

BLIND SOCIAL CLUB

LADY GALWAY'S INFORMAL VISIT

Yesterday afternoon members of the Social Club for the Blind were honoured by an informal visit from her Excellency Viscountess Galway, who was entertained at afternoon tea and afterwards took the opportunity to move among the members to meet and converse with them.

On arrival she was met by Mrs. Knox Gilmer, president of the club, and members of the executive. Those at the official table with her Excellency and the president were Mr. J. Spence and Dr. Beaumont (vice-presi-dents), Mrs. Wilson Downes (representing the Red Cross), Mrs. M. Gordon (Braille " Club), and Mrs. J. Spence. The hostess was Mrs. Vrede, who supervised the afternoon tea arrangements. Mr. La Hogue (manager) and Mr. D. Ridley (secretary) were among the gathering, which included 90 mem-, bers of the club. '

A brief address was given by Mrs. Knox Gilmer, when she welcomed Lady Galway, who, she said, had expressed a wish to come and meet the members of the club personally," for when present on a former occasion she had not had arj opportunity of meeting everyone.

On rising to speak Lady Galway was greeted with much applause. Such ability in arts and craftwork was shown by the members despite their disability that they were to be congratulated on their courage and cleverness, said her Excellency. She also spoke of her interest in the blind children' in Auckland. In wishing the club continued success, she said she would be interested to hear of its progress after her return to England.

Mr. Spence and Dr. Beaumont, on behalf of the members, thanked her Excellency for her interest.

Musical items were given by Miss Myra Sawyer (vocal solos), Misses Una Thomas, Myra Sawyer, and Kathleen Bond (vocal trios), ajnd Miss Grade Kerr (musical monologues). The accompanist was Mrs. K. Fowles.

Last night the executive committee of the Official Camp Entertainers was again responsible for an excellent concert in the V.M.C.A. Theatre, Trentham Mobilisation Camp, the hall being packed with an enthusiastic audience. Mrs. Victor Lloyd was responsible for the programme and Mrs. Stella Le Grove was in charge of the curtains and prompt corner.'

A high light of the concert was a ballet by eight "Diggers" of the last war. Messrs. R. Walpole, Hood, Tyman, Wareham, Staples, Wilde, Jamieson, and Simmonds, all appropriately costumed in ballet frocks, with sprays of flowers. Sketches, eccentric dancing, violin solos, songs ar.d duets were presented, those taking part including Mrs. Anne Lane, Misses Hilda and Joyce Webster. Maureen Shoosmith. Irene Soidy. Olga Burton. Betty Lloyd, M: C. Cohen, and Messrs. J. McLeod, C. Johnsor.. E. Lawson. J. Crawford. E.. Le Grove, and H. Painter. Mrs. Charles McDonald played the accompaniments and for the community singing in which the audience joined.

Colonel Bagnall, on behalf of the Camp Cbmmar.dant, thanked the Camp Entertainers for making the concerts available, and paid tribute to the concert party for its talent. The party was entertained to supper by the colonel and officers of the 2nd Training Unit. Mr. Le Grove thankir.g him on behalf of Miss Dennistoun-Wood (organiser) and Mrs. Gwen Webb (secretary).

The executive committee thanks the Automobile Association, and Mesdames McGillivray, W. E. Barnard, Toop, and Horton, Miss Wilson, and Misses Tobin, Fisk, Addison, and Donnelly for providing transport.