Frequency of Visiting

The frequency with which each facility was used varied widely. This was most marked where visits occurred more than once a week. With two exceptions, none of the facilities were visited as frequently as this by more than 5% of the people. The exceptions were interesting, however. A fairly large group (13% of the whole population) visited the cinema, and more than twice this proportion (28%) visited the park in summer, more than once a week. It may appear, therefore, that the facilities which were used by the largest preportion of the population were also visited most frequently. But frequency of visiting has a rather different aspect when those who never want at all are excluded: the proportions already quoted refer to the whole population, whether making use of the facility or not.

Thus, when the analysis is restricted to that section of the population which used them, it was the slipper bath and (in summer) the park which claimed the highest frequency of attendance: visits were made once a week or mere by 82% of the people who used the bath, and by 75% of those who used the park during the summer. The library, the club and the swimming bath (in summer) were visited once a week or more by about two - thirds of the people who made any use of them. The cinema, rather surprisingly, was visited once a week or more (as were the parks during the winter) by just less than half the people concerned. Finally, it was clear that the dance hall, and more especially the theatre, were visited comparatively rarely - only 6% of theatre - goers, and 22% of dancers, went once a week or more.

Age

In almost every case, age was an important factor influencing the proportion of the whole population who made use of the facilities. Even when frequency of visiting is ignored, in no case did more of the older age groups make use of them - indeed, with two exceptions, the older the individual, the less likelihood was there that he participated at all. Only in the case of the public library and (in winter) the park, did old age make little difference to the proportion who participated.

Sex Difference

It was clear, too, that women, like older people, tended to participate less in these activities, With the exclusion of such special instances as the maternity and the infant welfare centre, in no case did more women than men make use of any facility, except in so far as those women who made use of the park visited it slightly more often than the men. On the other hand, more of the men were members of clubs, and more made use of the swimming bath and the slipper bath.

Marital Status

The results indicated a restriction in social participation (as far as this was characterised by the selected activities) following marriage, although some part of this may have been due to increasing age rather than the change in status. Thus in all but three cases, more of the single than the married made use of the various facilities mentioned to them. Only in the case of the park in summer time did married people appear more frequently than the single. On the other hand, there was no difference in the proportions of the married and the single who made use of the public library, and, in winter, the park.

Length of Journey

Generally speaking, the time taken by most people to reach these facilities was quite short - 15 minutes or less. This was particularly the case with the library, where 91% of those who used it travelled only 15 minutes or less to get to it, the cinema (85% - and the slipper bath (85% With the club, the swimming bath and the park about two - thirds were within this distance, and it was only the dance hall (38% were within 15 minutes), and especially the theatre (11%), that usually called for travel of greater length than this.

Transport

It was usual for more than half those who made use of the facilities to walk to them, except, once again, in the case of the theatre and the dance hall (to which only 3% and 16% respectively, walked). It was most common to walk to the park (87% in summer, 89% in winter) and to the library (84%) - although about one - third of the journeys to the park were over 15 minutes.

Inconvience

Quite a considerable minority said that they found their journey inconvenient to many of the facilities. This was particularly marked in the case of the theatre (25% of theatre - goers found the journey inconvenient) and the dance hall (23% - the two instances in which the journey was usually longer and made on public transport rather than on foot. Inconvenience was least common on the other hand, amongst those who visited the cinema (8% inconvenient), the library (7%) and the park (5% inconvenient in winter, 10% in summer). There was no doubt that (judging from the instances in which analysis of time of journey by convenience was possible) the time taken over the journey was closely related to convenience. For example, only 47% of those who found the journey to cinema inconvenient had journeys of 15 minutes or less, compared with 89% of the “ convenient” journeys. Similarly 2% of the inconvenient journeys to the theatre were of 15 minutes or less, compared with 14% of the convenient: and 22% of the inconvenient journeys to the park were of this length, compared with 80% of the convenient.

Conclusions

1. It seems that, in Willesden, these facilities cater more for the young and the single than for the old and the married, While no information is available here concerning other activities in which the old and the married may engage, other studies in England and in America have also shown the relative poverty of the social life of these groups. It seems clear, therefore, that in planning special attention should be paid to this problem. Not only should the facilities which have been covered in this inquiry be placed and organised so that these groups can more easily make use of them (if they wish to) but their special leisure needs and interests should be discovered, and facilities provided for their satisfaction.

2. It was interesting to note the popularity of the park with all classes of the community - second only to the cinema in the proportion of the whole population which it attracted. Even in winter a considerable minority made use of it. This suggests that more attention might be devoted to the further development of outdoor amenities in parks. At the moment, most English parks provide what is probably a minimum of what is possible. The setting - up, for example, of attractive and well - organised cafes, permanent outdoor entertainments, etc., might well meet with a gratifying response.

3. The municipal slipper baths and laundry were not widely used. In the case of the slipper bath, at least, this was not because there was not a wide - spread need to use them, since a large proportion of Willesden households had no access to a bathroom. No doubt a bath - tub on the hearth can provide a makeshift substitute, but attractive public baths could be better; and some way must be discovered by which to remove the social stigma which (interviewers reported) new attaches in their use. In the new towns, however, presumably the universal provision of bathrooms will obviate the necessity of public baths.

4. It seems that where opportunity occurs, it is very common to walk to these facilities, even in an urban area where public transport is easily available. The time taken over the journey was an important factor in creating inconvenience; and inconvenience caused, in general, a lower frequency of attendance. In this connection, it may be important to prevent the attachment of special prestige to one amongst several of, for example, the theatres provided, since this may lead to the neglect of some, while long and inconvenient 56 52journeys are made to the main centre. Some of the present lengthy journeys to the West End from Willesden may result from the operation of this factor.

The Cinema

Of the whole population of Willesden, 18% said that they never visited the cinema; and it was noticeable that this proportion increased with age, from 7% of those aged 18 - 29, to 39% of those age 60 or more. Three times as many of the married informants as of the single never went, but this may be in part related to age rather than marital status, since a greater proportion of the old than of the young are married. There was little significant difference between the sexes.

The general pattern shown by these figures is identical with that for the whole adult population of Great Britain. (1) The actual proportions differ somewhat, however. For example, 61% of the sixty and over group in the whole population never went to the cinema, compared with only 39% of the same age group in Willesden - indeed, in each age group a greater proportion of the whole population than of Willesden people never went. It is true that this comparison includes the rural population of the country; but even when these are excluded, there can be no doubt that Willesden makes greater use of the cinema than did most urban areas in 1943. (2)

In regard to the frequency of visiting the cinema, the following table shows that 46% of the Willesden adult population went once a week or more:

Analysis by marital status (3) showed that the single went considerably mere frequently than the married; whilst it was also clear the frequency decreased consistently with increasing age. (4) Comparison with the national figures showed once again that at all ages the people visited the cinema more frequently than the general population. (5)

The great majority (85%) of those visiting the cinema in Willesden were within 15 minutes Journey of it, (6) so that it was not surprising to find that more than half (54%) made the journey on foot, and 38% by bus, with only a small proportion (6%) using a more “long distance” form of transport, such as the train or the private car. This journey was considered, by 92% of those

who went, to be convenient. The analysis of those who found it inconvenient showed that these visited the cinema rather less frequently (53% of these went once a week or more, compared with 58% of those who found the journey convenient). There can be no doubt that length of journey in itself, as distinct from its general character, was an important factor in inconvenience, for while 89% of the “convenient” journeys were of 15 minutes or less, only 47% of the “inconvenient” were as short as this; and quite a considerable proportion (18% of these took half an hour or more.

The Theatre

Nearly one - half of the adult population (43%) never went to the theatre at all, and once again the proportion increased consistently with age (from 35% of those aged 18 - 29 to 65% of those 60 or more). Considerably more of the married (45%) than of the single (27%) never went; but there were no significant sex differences.

The following table shows that only 3% of the whole population went to the theatre as often as once a week:-

As with the cinema, visits to the theatre became less frequent with increasing age (1) , but the relationship was less marked here, particularly in that occasional visits were more common amongst the middle age groups than amongst the old or the young.

In view of the absence of theatres in Willesden, it was not surprising to find that 68% of those who went to the theatre travelled half - an - hour or more to it. (2) Only 3% went there on foot, the majority (87%) using the bus or the Underground. Nevertheless, 75% found the journey convenient, largely, perhaps, because a visit to the theatre was considered part of a special “outing” to the West End (according to interviewers’ reports). Yet only 2% of the “inconvenient” journeys were of 15 minutes or less, compared with 14% of the “convenient”, so that it appears clear that even in this case, length of journey is closely related to convenience. With the theatre, however, convenience of access did not influence the frequency of visiting, so that it seems that a visit to the theatre may be so special an occasion that demand is not restricted by the character of the journey from Willesden.

The Dance Hall

The dance hall interested only a small proportion of the Willesden adult population, for as many as 88% never visited it. Almost the whole of the middle (94%) and oldest age groups (97%) never went, compared with 68% of those aged 18 - 29. This was similar to the difference which appeared between

the married and the single; 68% of the latter never went, compared with 92% of the former. There were no significant sex differences.

It will be seen from the following table that not more than 3% of the whole adult population visited the dance hall once a week or more:-

The single went more frequently than the married, and the younger more frequently than the old. The times taken to reach the hall were fairly evenly distributed (1) , except that the smallest proportions were those who took less than 8 minutes or over an hour. 70% travelled by bus or underground; only 16% walked.

Of those who went, 77% found the journey convenient. The number of individuals who found the journey “inconvenient” was too small, however, to permit of further analysis, by the time taken, or by frequency of visiting.

The Public library

Rather less than three - quarters (72%) of the Willesden adult population made no use of the public library. The age differences in its use were only small. There was no difference as between men and women, and only a small percentage difference between the proportion of the single and the married who made no use of it (67%) of the single never went, compared with 73% of the married).

Nearly one-fifth of the adult population, however, visited the library once a week or more:-

No doubt frequency of visiting is largely dictated by the time allowed for reading a book - usually a fortnight; and this view is supported by the fact that neither age, sex nor marital status greatly affected frequency.

As many as 91% of those who made use of the library were within 15 minutes of it, and the majority (84%) walked. The journey was convenient to 93% of borrowers.

Evening Classes

Only 2% of the Willesden population went to evening classes. The number involved was therefore too small to permit further analysis.

Political or Social Club

Of the whole adult population, 86% never visited a club; and once again it was the older people who said more often that they did not go (88% of those aged 60 or more did not go, compared with 82% of the age group 18 - 29). More of the married (87%) than of the single (78%) did not belong to a club, due perhaps in part to the function of the club as a source of social contact between the sexes. More of the women (91%) than of the men (78%) did not go.

It will be seen from the following table that the majority of members went to the club once a week or more:-

Neither sex, age nor marital status appeared to influence the frequency with which clubs were visited - no doubt in a large proportion of cases clubs are only joined by those who intend to make fairly full use of them.

Nearly three-quarters (73%) of those who went to clubs were living within 15 minutes journey of them. More than half (56%) walked to it, most of the remainder making the journey by bus (27%). Nearly all those who went (87%) found the journey convenient; but the number of “inconvenient” journeys was too small to permit further analysis.

The Swimming Bath - (a) In Summer

The swimming bath was also a minority interest, since 82% of the whole adult population never visited it in summer. As might be expected, visits were far less common amongst the old than the young; 98% of those aged 60 or more never went, compared with 63% of the youngest (18 - 29) age group. It was considerably more common for women not to go (86%) than for men (77%); and it was less popular with the married (of whom 84% never went) than with the single (70%).

It will be seen that the majority visited the bath, in summer, once a week or more. Younger people were more frequent visitors than the old. The men, and the single people, went slightly more frequently than the women and the married, but the difference was not large.

The length of the journey varied very considerably, but 61% of those who went were within 15 minutes of the bath. The majority (63%) walked, while a further 28% went by bus. Four - fifths found this convenient.

Swimming Bath - (b) In winter

Only 1% of the adult population visited the swimming bath in winter. The number involved was therefore too small to permit further analysis.

Public Park - (a) In Summer

Nearly one-third of the population (25%) said that they never visited the park in summer time, More of the old than of the young never visited it (25% of those aged 18 - 29, compared with 42% of those aged 60 or mere). There was no sex difference, but more of the single (35%) than of the married (29%) never went, perhaps because many married people (especially mothers who are free during the day) visit the park in company with their children.

The majority (75%) visited the park once a week or more in the summer:-

There were no significant age differences in frequency. It was clear, however, that women visited the park rather more frequently than men: 32% of the women visited it more than once a week, compared with 22% of the men. Similarly, married people wont considerably more frequently than the single, No doubt, as has already been suggested, this may be due to housewives’ having more opportunity for visiting the park in the daytime, and more necessity, in that they may have children.

63% of those who made use of the park were within 15 minutes journey of it; and the majority (87%) walked there. Only 10% found this journey 61 57inconvenient, and these visited the park less frequently than the others (69% went once a week or more, compared with 76% of those with “convenient” journeys). There was a close relationship between convenience and the time taken over the journey, since 80% of the “convenient” journeys were of 15 minutes or less, while only 22% of the “inconvenient” were as short as this.

Public Park - (b) In Winter

76% of the adult population never visited the park in winter. There were no sex or status differences in the proportion who never went. As with summer visiting, the biggest group went once a week or more, although the proportion who went less frequently than this was larger than it was in the summer.

In the case of winter visiting, it is interesting to note that there were no differences in the proportion of men and women, or of married and single, who went to the park; nor did age greatly influence frequency of visiting at this season. There was little difference between the length of journey to the park in winter as compared with the summer, except that a smaller proportion undertook journeys of over 20 minutes (6% in winter, 13% in summer, had journeys of this length). Only 5% found the journey inconvenient - a proportion only half the size of those who found it inconvenient in summer.

Public laundry

Only 1% of the adult population made use of the public laundry. The number of individuals involved was therefore too small to permit further analysis.

Slipper Bath

The majority of the people (93%) made no use of the public slipper bath. Here again the old went less frequently than the young (98% of the oldest group never went, compared with 90% of those aged 18 - 29). More of the women (95%) than of the men (90%) did not go.

Age, sex and status analyses showed no significant variations. 85% of those who went travelled 15 minutes or less to the bath, the majority (69% on foot, and remainder by bus. The journey was found inconvenient by 18% of those who went, but the number involved was too small to permit further analysis.

The Borough Health Services

Housewives were asked whether they made any use of the health services provided by the Borough. It will be seen from the data which follows that only a small minority made use of any of them.