Tea ladies served thirsty barristers and other staff at crown court

A £5m court building in St Aldate’s was opening to replace the Victorian court rooms at Oxford Town Hall and County Hall in New Road.

For many years, members of the Women’s Royal Voluntary Service had run a tea trolley service at County Hall to keep thirsty barristers, clerks and other staff refreshed.

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How better than to mark the occasion by inviting tea team leader Nancy Abbott to sit in the judge’s chair.

Mrs Abbott, of Springfield Road, Oxford, was joined by many of her 30 fellow helpers at the closing ceremony in 1985.

They were thanked and toasted by court staff – not with their usual tea or coffee but with a glass of wine.

Mrs Abbott said: “We have all enjoyed coming here. It’s the atmosphere – everyone is very friendly.”

The women did not charge the court for their services and gave the money from their tea sales to charity.

One of the longest serving tea ladies to attend was Edith Donaldson, of Easington, near Watlington, who had helped at the court for more than 20 years.

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The new court building in St Aldate’s – the former Morris Garages’ premises – had a purpose-built cafeteria so the WRVS team was no longer needed.

The impressive building had been the Morris Garages Showroom, which opened in 1932.

A plaque was erected at the front of the building dedicated to William Morris, the founder of Morris Motors.

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