HEREFORD Trades Council is closing down after more than 100 years in the city.

The organisation, which encouraged community participation from members of trades unions, is closing down due to a lack of interest.

“The main purpose of the organisation was to encourage people to help out in their communities,” said John Davies, a member of HTC since 1963.

“All the trade unions were affiliated and used to appoint delegates to the trades council.

Then the trades council would appoint them to serve on different bodies.

“Sadly after serving the community for more than 100 years the HTC is closing its doors due to a lack of interest.

“It got to the stage where there was only one active trade union member and everyone else is retired, so we had to close the doors.

“I was attending all these meetings and the idea is that you report back but there was no-one other than the chairman and secretary to report to.”

Despite the end coming for HTC it is not going out without a public-spirited parting shot.

A cheque for £1,242 has been presented to St Michael’s Hospice.

“There was a plaque from 1898 in the old Hereford Eye Hospital with the name of HTC on it,” said Mr Davies.

The hospice, which needs £3.6 million this year to provide its services, has thanked HTC for its generosity and expressed sadness at its demise.