Tea rooms for the chop

Two volunteer tea bars which have been at Watford General Hospital for over half a century are due to close at the end of this month, it has been announced. The facilities, which are at the Maternity Unit and the Outpatients Department, are run by Watford Hospital’s League of Friends. Mavis Tyrwhitt, vice-chairman of the League of Friends, said there are a number of different reasons which led to the decision. The tea bars are due to close on September 27. She explained: “We are disappointed that it has been necessary to make the decision to close the tea bars at Watford Hospital.  Unfortunately, our chairman is retiring due to ill health and the number of volunteers has dwindled over the years which has resulted in the League of Friends being unable to continue to provide the service. “It’s not just because we haven’t got the volunteers. Our accountant is ill so it would be helpful if we got someone on a voluntary basis. The current accountant has been doing it for 25 years. I would like to say thank you to all the volunteers and staff for their hard work over the years and also to my colleagues on the Committee.” Mrs Tyrwhitt said she hopes the tea bar in the outpatients department can remain open. Mrs Tyrwhitt said the League of Friends play an important role in the life of the hospital and added that the group have until September 27 to present a plan of action to West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust. Samantha Jones is chief executive of West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust which runs Watford General. She said she was very sorry to hear that the League of Friends will no longer be running the tea bars on the Watford Hospital site. The other catering services at Watford General will continue to run including the main hospital restaurant and shop. If you would like to volunteer for the League of Friends, call 01923 670478 Are you sad to hear of the tea shops closure? Email tim@mynewsmag.co.uk