THE LONELY ONES SIR,—Miss Elizabeth Gundrcy has written an excel-
lent and informative article describing the facilities that are available up and down the country for bringing people of similar interests into contact one with another : and telling of the splendid work of Mrs. Norah Phillips.
Mrs. Phillips has not only been fully aware of one of the social problems of today but she has done something constructive to combat it.
A number of organisations have grown up to facilitate communication between people of similar interests and to help them to combat the loneliness of a life where, especially in London, it is all too difficult to become a part of any particular com- munity.
I should like to add to the list of these bodies the name of `The 1957 Society' which was formed six years ago by a group of graduates and business people. Their aim was to bring together people of similar interests and background who are beyond the first stages of their careers and are interested in extending their acquaintance in their own and other professions.
In addition to the holding of regular discussion meetings in central London, the society also caters for a number of leisure-time activities and has a contract bridge group, theatre group, opera and ballet group, film viewing group, dining club, gramophone recital group and a play-reading group.
The society is open to both men and women graduates and professionally qualified people over the age of twenty-seven. There are some 200 mem- bers drawn from a very wide range of professions, and I think I can say that the cross-fertilisation of ideas and opinions has enriched the lives of them all.
OLGA BAILEY
Chairman, 1957 Society
186 Earls Court Road, SW5