Activities at the Centre

When considering the activities in the Centre, it is also important to remember than members were free to just sit, seemingly doing nothing except watch. But in the watching lay activity - learning by observation and example were/are necessary for personal growth and development. There was also ample opportunity for spontaneous activity - also a vital part of development. However, members set up and ran clubs for those who wished to practise a skill on a regular basis. Taking all these aspects together, there was a great variety for members, as an undated publicity brochure shows. It listed:

"Swimming-bath - 75-ft by 33-ft. (heated throughout the winter; two springboards; 21-ft fixed high board; hot and cold showers; four hot baths. (swimming pool)
Learners' pool - beginners are coached here, and babies can play here too.
Swimming club.
Water-polo.

Gymnasium, fully equipped - free gym for children; men's classes; women's keep-fit classes. (gymnasium)
Boxing.
Fencing.
Badminton.
Tennis Court.
Billiards - two full-sized tables.
Darts- four boards.
Table tennis - three Jacques championship tables.

Dancing - every night in the Long Room.

Dance band.
Wireless club.
Discussion Circle.
Dramatic Society.
Two concert parties.
Concert party Orchestra.
Whist drives - three times a week.
First-aid group - once a week.

The Cafeteria is open for light refreshments daily from 4 p.m. to 10.15 p.m., and beer and cider are on sale at the bar (members only) from 7.30 p.m. to 10.15 p.m Members may bring in guests, for whom no charge is made. The Centre is open on Sundays from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. under the management of the members themselves.

The Centre has the use of an oast-house in a lovely part of Kent, with cooking and sleeping accommodation, as a private camping site for member-families. (more on camping)

In addition, the children at the Centre can have the use of roller-skates, scooters, fairy bicycles, and also of a small billiard table and various indoor games, while there is a nursery open from 2 p.m. till 6 p.m. for children under five, which also provides nursery teas" To keep track of the movements of the children and the activities they chose to do,a member of staff, Lucy Crocker devised a 'ticket system'. (more on the ticketing system)

To this list one can also add an evening nursery, health advice and health screening (pre the National Health Service) periodic overhaul sewing facilities. Centre plays, shows, concerts, and parties. and later, fresh organic food from the farm on sale at similar prices to non-organic in local shops, and the School.