Retirement for Wansbeck Hospital worker
Aug 26 2010 by Richard Fletcher, The Journal
A HOSPITAL volunteer is retiring after 62 years service and hundreds of thousands of pounds raised.
A regular sight at Wansbeck Hospital, Margaret Featherstone MBE, is finally standing down from her work baking, selling items from the shop and serving teas.
Margaret was awarded the MBE in 2002 for her services to the community, and was treasurer of the Wansbeck Hospital League of Friends.
Margaret, who lives in Ashington, said: “The original service began in the old Ashington Hospital and a cup of tea cost two old pence and you got a free biscuit.” Since then the coffee shop has moved to Wansbeck General Hospital.
To mark the occasion, Margaret was presented with an original painting by local artist Marjorie Frith and thanked for her dedication by Rosemary Stephenson, director for nursing at Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
