A NEW kitchen and pantry at Richardson Hospital, in Barnard Castle, has been named after a stalwart who helped to raise thousands of pounds for the facility.
Some £7,500 was spent by Friends of Richardson Hospital for equipment for the new area, which is to be called Marie’s Kitchen and Pantry,
in honour of the group’s former chairwoman Marie Yarker. Mrs Yarker died late last year.
The kitchen was opened by Mrs Yarker’s husband, John, and their daughter, Suzanne Thomas, last week after a carol service at the hospital led by town vicar Revd Canon Alec Harding.
Iris Hillery, a member of the friends, said: “New equipment purchased by the friends will enable staff to prepare drinks and snacks at any time patients require.
“Presently, the only fully equipped kitchen is on the ground floor and not easily accessed at night.”
Elaine Shaw, the hospital’s deputy assistant director of operations, added: “The kitchen is very apt because Mrs Yarker was a phenomenal baker and we still miss her scones.”
After cutting a ribbon to mark the kitchen’s opening, Mrs Thomas, who is also a member of the Friends, said: “My mum loved the hospital so much that she was always came to see staff and patients first on Christmas before she came to see us.”
