Weymouth Community Hospital Tea Bar has been closed because of the pandemic, a very much missed facility in our hospital.

Unfortunately we will be unable to reopen the Tea Bar again for two reasons.

The NHS require the room for their use as a consulting room, and as the NHS are having only pre booked clinics it would not be financially viable for The Friends.

The Tea Bar had takings of about £11,000 a year, staffed by approximately 30 wonderful, dedicated volunteers, to whom we owe a great amount of gratitude.

The Friends Committee really appreciated all the volunteers, as indeed so did our patients and staff; a mere “thank you” does not give them the acclamation they deserve.

I must mention three who unstintingly gave of their time - Marilyn who for many years organised the rota for the ladies working in the Tea Bar, also Pam and Ray who kept the stock up to date, collecting and pricing the items ready to be sold.

Without the income from the Tea Bar, there will be a very big loss for our charity, but The Friends of Weymouth and Portland Hospitals will still be working to raise funds for the patients and staff here in Weymouth and Portland, starting with a seafront stall on Weymouth Esplanade on Friday 23rd. July. Helpers will be welcomed.

You will have no doubt seen the proposals in the Dorset Echo that a NEW hospital MAY be built in Weymouth, that sounds good news, but we have to wait and see what the future holds for us.

HON. ALDERMAN PETER RENDALL

Chairman, Friends of Weymouth and Portland Hospitals, Kings Road, Weymouth