THIS week’s look back at the Telegraph archives takes back 17 years, when a doctor warned locals should be ‘outraged’ at proposals to close the baby unit at Inverclyde Royal Hospital.

Plans which were due to go before the board of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde recommended an end to the service, which would force expectant mothers to go outside Inverclyde to give birth.

The health board had argued that the move was necessary to safeguard patients.

Consultant obstetrician Dr George Anthony, who had spent 22 years at the IRH, called on the then Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon to step in.

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He told the Telegraph: “Three years ago, the consultant-led unit at Inverclyde was replaced with a community midwife unit in order to retain services to let women deliver locally.

“It has not been given a chance.

“They said it would take time for people to accept it, but they want to chop it off now.

“This is about money.”

In other news, two Larkfield schools won an education ‘Oscar’ after teaming up to tackle sectarianism.

Earnhill and Sacred Heart primary schools were announced as winners at the prestigious Scottish Education Awards in recognition of their ‘Firm Friends’ initiative.

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The scheme, which had been launched earlier that year, saw pupils write and stage their own ant-sectarian drama.

The children also held a conference to discuss religious discrimination.

Janet Leicester, head teacher at Earnhill, said: “I’m so proud of the children.

“It’s a fantastic achievement for them, the parents and staff.

“They had a fabulous day at the awards — to see their faces when they won was just a delight.”

Meanwhile, youngsters from Port Glasgow saw off stiff competition from schools across Inverclyde to lift the coveted Golden Shoe.

The award put the children from St John’s Primary at the top of the table for walking to school.

Almost every pupil took up a challenge to put their best foot forward during Walk to School Week.

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The school’s primary seven class came up with a variety of fun games to get an impressive 95 per cent of pupils arriving on foot.

Head teacher Mark Coyle said: “We are over the moon. The children worked so hard.

“A total of 178 children walked to school and that is a big improvement from parents and pupils.

“We leafleted parents to make sure they were aware and informed all the children.

“We had a walking bus for children who live too far away to walk.

“They were dropped off at the town centre and walked from there to the school, picking up other children on the way.”

In sport, three Greenock rugby players were set to represent their country against former junior world finalists France.

Twins Ben and Nick Blamire, 17, and 18-year-old James Kemp were invited to play three test matches in France, including one against professional side Catalan Dragons.

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The boys appealed to Tele readers ahead of the trip as each was required to raise £500 in sponsorship money beforehand.

James said: “It would be the first time I’ve ever got a cap for my country, and that’s the best thing you can say.

“Even if I was injured afterwards and could never play again, I could still say I’ve played for my country.”

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Elsewhere in sport, Glenpark was the scene of an international event as the United Arab Emirates took on Scotland A in warm-up match.

The game preceded the UAE’s Inter-Continental Cup match against the full Scottish side.

The Scotland select side beat the visitors by five wickets at Glenpark.