Speeches, etc.

Margaret Thatcher

Remarks visiting Finchley (old people’s housing)

Document type: Speeches, interviews, etc.
Venue: Annette White Lodge, High Road, Finchley
Source: Finchley Times, 2 November 1978
Editorial comments: 1100-1215.
Importance ranking: Trivial
Word count: 310
Themes: Housing, Voluntary sector & charity

Mrs T. on the price of curtains

The colour of carpets and the price of curtains were two of the main issues facing Opposition leader Mrs Margaret Thatcher, at a meeting in East Finchley.

The MP for Finchley and Friern Barnet swapped the more weighty matters of parliament for a visit to elderly people's flatlets.

And she was soon involved in matters of equally weighty importance to residents of the Annette White Lodge, in the High Road.

The flats were opened earlier this year by the Duke of Gloucester. Mrs Thatcher was unable to attend then, but made up for it on Monday when she met many of the 42 residents.

The flats, built by the Westlon Housing Association, aim to provide sheltered flats for able-bodied people over the age of 60. They are self-contained, although there is a communal lounge downstairs.

Mrs Thatcher was obviously impressed. She liked Mr Louis Havkin 's mustard and white kitchen, admired Mrs Betty Van Praagh 's pretty furnishings, and disagreed that Mrs Leah Abrahams 's green carpet was too dull.

After touring the flatlets, Mrs Thatcher met the residents in the lounge, where she was formally welcomed by Judge Alan King-Hamilton, president of Westlon Housing Association.

‘For others’

He told his audience: “I know you will be able to tell your children and grandchildren that Britain's next Prime Minister came and spent an hour or two with you.”

Mrs Thatcher replied by praising everyone connected with the scheme.

“A great characteristic of this country is that we don't just do what we have to by law,” she said. “We live at a very much higher level than that and do these things because we want to for others.

“I do think I had better get my name down now for a place here.”