I was reminded of a set of coincidences revolving around the former Heanor Maternity Home on Mundy Street.

We arrived from the north east in 1957 and our first baby was due in the summer of 1958.

Our doctor booked us in at the Heanor Maternity Home.

In due course, our son was born under the strict and totally efficient regime headed by Matron Longmate and her dedicated staff of midwives.

My bed was in the bay window.

We stayed in the area and 30 years later, my son was married and his wife gave birth to a delightful little girl in the City Hospital, Nottingham.

She needed a time of recuperation and was transferred to – yes, Heanor Maternity Home.

She was given the bed in – yes, the bay window.

Eighteen years later our precious sheltie dog required treatment and we booked an appointment with Ambivet.

We were early for our appointment and were shown to a seat to await the vet.

The seat was in the bay window.

As we sat there, memories of 50 years ago flooded back, our son meeting his first visitors in a cot in the bay window.

Then marvelling at our first grandaughter as she cuddled up to her mum in the bed in the bay window.

Now our dear little sheltie, sitting patiently waiting, in a seat in the bay window.

I look forward to future collections of memories of bygone days.

Connie Winsor
The Beeches
Smalley