1. In their report for 1939-40, the Committee referred to the effect on the Society and its activities of the first seven months of the War. This report covers a complete year under War conditions, that is, from April 1,1940, to March 31, 1941.
Despite black-out and transport difficulties, it was possible to carry on several activities until July. Normally, Conway Hall is closed throughout August, but although the "Battle of Britain" began in that month, the Wednesday afternoon "At Homes" for Refugees went on without an interval, and our Sunday morning meetings were resumed in ordinary course on September 15. That day was historical. There had been frequent air raid warnings in London since August 24 and intensive attacks since September 7. The neighbourhood of Red Lion Square had suffered. Many people setting forth to the meeting had yet to learn that Conway Hall itself still stood. It was therefore with anxiety that a few responsible Officers of the Society assembled. They wondered how many people would be able to join them. It was not known whether the lecturer—Lord Snell would be able to attend. He arrived punctually. Soon twenty persons were present to greet him from the start and the number rapidly rose to sixty. Two-thirds of the way through the lecture the sirens were heard. Lord Snell good-humouredly broke off his discourse to state that members of the audience could seek public shelter, change their seats to safer places under the balcony, or remain where they were. No one moved. There was an encouraging cheer and the lecture was brought to its conclusion without further interruption. Overhead, from London to the French Coast, a fierce battle was in progress, in the course of which 185 enemy and 35 British aircraft were destroyed.
2. Sunday Morning Meetings
These have been held regularly from September 15, and the sound of sirens, happily becoming less frequent, has come to be ignored. Considering all the adverse circumstances—evacuation, transport, enlistment in the forces, air raid warnings, etc.—the meetings have been well attended. There is no doubt that they have been fully warranted. The lectures have been up to the usual high standard. Frorn April 7, 1940, to March 30, 1941, there have been forty-three meetings. This is about the normal number. Ten lectures were delivered by Dr. C. E. M. Joad, eight by Professor G. W Keeton, five by Mr. John Katz, four by Professor J. C. Flugel (including the Conway Memorial Lecture), three by Mr. J. McCabe, two each by Professor G. Catlin, Lord Snell, Dr. R. H. Thouless' and one each by Mr. Laurence Housman, Professor H. Levy, Dr. Hermann Manaheim, Dr. Karl Mannheim, Mr. Chaning-Pearce, Professor M. Polanyt and Mr. Ernest Thurtle, M.P.