Bassetlaw Hospital patient has recalled the time he worked as a chef there

John Kirby is currently being treated at the hospital in Worksop where he was appointed Assistant Chef in 1954 following a stint in the army.

The resident has been regaling staff of his stories from ‘the good old days’, remembering how he would bake 300 cakes a day for all patients and at weekends make one for each ward.

Highlighting a different era, the master baker described how each staff group had their own dining rooms with doctors being served first, followed by the matron and her maid and finally nurses.

John, who is now 87, was invited to show off his culinary skills in Ward A4’s kitchen where he was more than happy to teach staff and patients how to make bread.

Dawn Clare, activities coordinator for Ward A4, said: “It has been a delight to spend time with John, he is such a lovely man and a true gentleman in every sense of the word.

“I organise daily activities such as games and bingo and John’s enthusiasm and motivation has been infectious.”