1949

This was yet another year for reorganisation. In an attempt to counter the impact of ‘juvenile delinquency’, the Florrie had begun to admit 10 year olds to the Pioneer’s Club, and the main club also lowered the Junior ages to 13-14, and 15-18 for the Seniors.  The Committee commented “We are still testing the advantages or otherwise of this experiment”. In theory, The Florrie felt it could help the boys and the community by lowering the age groups, but this was no easy fix and required the cooperation of  parents, who tended to arrive home late from work. This was a serious problem as the youngster’s club finished at 7pm, meaning the streets were thronged with ten-year olds with nowhere to go. “If we had the room and the Staff, we could keep them in the Club until 10pm but we would then only be condoning the practice of keeping young children out late” stated the report.  

Sunday evening entertainments were added to the programme, which were of a more serious and mature nature that included discussions, musical appreciation, films, quizzes and an epilogue. This was ideal for the Senior boys who arrived around 8pm, having already been to the first house of the cinema. However, that wasn’t the case for the Juniors, who were still causing problems, often ruining the evening for others.

The activity provision continued to evolve; ‘plastics’, metalwork and a puppetry group were added to the programme.

The report gave a special mention to its staff in this report:  “We would like to pay a sincere tribute to the work of our staff; the building is kept wonderfully clean and tidy by Mrs Thompson and Mrs Brown. Then they still find the time to work each evening in the Canteen, together with Irene Thompson. The spirit of the workers is excellently portrayed by Irene, whose thoughts, while lying in Hospital these last two months, have always been for the ‘Florrie’ and its members.’…“To such a Staff we really are grateful, especially for the voluntary work they are continually doing. Their efforts in Club Week once more demonstrated their genuine love for the ‘Florrie”. Notable thanks were also granted to Gerry Thompson and his Orchestra, who were appointed for the second year running as the resident Saturday evening band.

The much-loved Thurstaston Camp, a great asset of the Florrie, was beset with difficulties, as vandalism wreaked havoc at the site. Perhaps the iconic Florrie motto ‘No Pains-No Gains’  emblazoned across the front of this year’s report, was more apt than ever!