Former Rankin Maternity midwives hold special reunion

Thirty years after the closure of the Neil Street hospital - which continues to hold a special place in the hearts of the people of Inverclyde - a team of retired midwives decided to get together again.

Organisers Patricia McCracken, Brenda Darrah, Margaret Robertson and Shirley Roche were overwhelmed by the incredible response from all those who worked in the hospital over the years.

Rankin Reunion (Image: George Munro) On the day around 60 former colleagues, inclucing consultants and members of staff, joined them for an afternoon tea to remember.

Rankin Reunion (Image: George Munro) Rankin Reunion (Image: George Munro)

Among those who came along on the day  was VIP Margaret Copland, now 96 years old, who retired from the Rankin in 1984.

Rankin Reunion (Image: George Munro)

Sharing her memories Margaret, who is originally from Port Glasgow but now lives in Riverside Gardens, Gourock, said: "I loved being a midwife and I have many happy memories of training in the Rankin. It was a really special place to be.

"The care mothers used to get, we would visit them at home for the first three days twice a day and then for 14 days after that.

"I think the most important things for a midwife are you have to be strong, because you have to be  able to go without sleep, and you have to be kind.

(Image: George Munro)

"I always wanted to be a midwife because before there were midwives my granny used to help deliver babies. 

"When I first started in the 1950s it was all home births. It was like Call the Midwife!

"My area was Gibshill and I loved it. People had come into the new houses from places where there were no bathrooms.

Rankin Reunion (Image: George Munro)

"There was such a strong sense of community.

"The men would be working so when a mother was having a baby, the neighbours used to take in the children. Afterwards they would then come in and take away the washing and help them.

"The support they gave one another was wonderful."

Rankin Maternity Reunion (Image: George Munro)

Many of those who worked at the Rankin moved on to the new unit in Inverclyde Royal and continued to serve their community.

Specialist midwife Louise Jack, aged 62, is still working there, after moving when the maternity hospital closed.

She said: "It is lovey to be here today and to see all the faces. I loved working in the Rankin and I still love being a midwife, which is why I continue to carry on."

The reunion followed the passing of much-loved former colleague Michaelena McCluskey, whose son Martin is now Inverclyde's MP.

After attending Michaelena's funeral her colleagues decided that a reunion was long overdue.

Rankin Maternity reunion (Image: George Munro) At the reunion in the Greenock Wanderers clubhouse, there was afternoon tea and a chance to look through old photographs and be reunited with former colleagues.

Patricia McCracken, who worked for 40 years as a midwife, said: "It has been an absolutely wonderful day and we had such a great response. It is lovely to see all the faces."

The Rankin Reunion organisers have decided that any money raised on the day will be donated to Simba, a charity that supports families who have lost babies.