Memories

This very faded photo is the only objective evidence that I have from my days as a pupil midwife at the Tything in Worcester in the late '60's.

The BBC programme "Call the Midwife" set in the East end of London in the 50's has brought back many memories of my 6 month training period working in the community and riding a bike. I had learnt to ride as a child but had never been on a main road, so it was a steep learning curve in order to safely arrive at the women's houses! I worked on the principle that no one would deliberately run me over!!! I wouldn't have that confidence on the roads today.

Apart from developing midwifery skills, I learnt a great deal about the women, their families and how society works. As very young midwives we were treated with a great deal of kindness and respect.

I have many memories; this is one of them....
I spent a long Sunday with a young Greek Cypriot lady and delivered her second baby. As I was clearing up at about 10pm, her husband called up stairs to say that my "dinner" would be ready when I was finished. Despite my protests that I was OK (not really, countless cups of tea were not very filling), he wasn't taking "no thank you" for an answer. It was obvious from looking round the house that they had few possessions and money was in very short supply, I did not want to impose on their hospitality.

When I got down stairs, the table was laid with a white linen cloth and chicken and chips were served on an expensive Worcester Porcelain plate. It was beautiful and I so much enjoyed that food and service. Where it all came from at that time of night I have no idea!!

This young man reappeared at intervals in the following weeks. He drove a battered old car with a big boot and whenever he saw me cycling along, he would pull up in front of me (irrespective of the traffic), jump out, take the bike off me and put it in the boot (didn't quite fit, but a bit of rope held the door closed). I was then expected to get in, tell him where I was visiting next and he would deliver me to the house. I would get an enthusiastic progress report on his wife and the babies. There were times when I was so grateful for the lift and others when I expected the police to pull him over, having been reported by a bystander as having kidnapped a midwife!!!