AN Athelstan House resident in Malmesbury, who became a midwife when the NHS first began 70 years ago, has been reminiscing over her midwifery days.

Mary Familton, 96, originally from Ireland, worked as a midwife in various parts of Northumberland from the age of 26.

She retired in 1984 and moved to Malmesbury to be close to her children.

She said: “I became a midwife because I wanted something to do and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I have lots of fond memories and had a wonderful farewell party.”

One of Mrs Familton’s most memorable births was when she had to walk across fields in Northumberland to get to an old farmhouse to deliver a baby boy called Neil.

“I knew the family and they had quite a few children already,” she added.

Activities co-ordinator at Athelstan House, Danya Clarke, said: “She told me recently how she had been visiting her brother when she had seen an advert in the newspaper for a hospital looking for nurses.

“She rang the number and the lady on the phone said please come at once.

“That was just after the war and there was a shortage of nurses.”