PENSIONERS have been banned from making their own tea and coffee at the centre they use.
Instead the members, in their 70s and 80s, have been told to use the vending machine in the Roundhouse Centre, Athersley North and pack has its own cups and saucers away.
The problems started three years ago when a vending machine was installed and the OAPs were told they could no longer use the kitchen.
Group organiser Mary Wake, 82, said: "It is 30p membership a week. When things started to go up we all decided to pay 20p to help buy tea bags and milk and the biscuits but then they put in the machine and all this stopped.
"I have about 15 members and a lot like a cup of tea but they don't like the stuff out of the machine - it is horrible. The centre has said if the machine was not used they would take it away; other people use it that's why we have to."
Centre manager Isabel Harris said: "The Roundhouse Centre supports the group by providing the room free but all users of the building must purchase hot drinks from the vending machine at a cost of 40p for tea and 50p for coffee. A free jug of water is supplied on request."
