TROWBRIDGE matron Beryl Orchard was given an unlikely present at her retirement party when a baby she helped to deliver 25 years ago turned up to say thank you.

More than 100 people turned out for the 60-year-old’s retirement party on Tuesday at the Trowbridge Birthing Centre where Mrs Orchard has worked since 1984.

And one person at the party was Ella O’Neill who was delivered at the hospital on May 2, 1990, by Mrs Orchard herself.

She said: “Beryl delivered me almost 25 years ago and I’d never met her before but my mum saw in the news that she was going to have this retirement party and said I needed to come down and thank her.

“My mum said Beryl was amazing when she gave birth to me so it’s nice to be able to say thanks.”

Mrs Orchard, who lives in Staverton with her husband Adrian, has helped deliver more than 1,000 babies while working in Trowbridge, Chippenham and Bath.

She was shocked to discover that one of the many babies she brought into the world had come to say thanks.

“That’s so emotional to me because the last time I would have seen her was a few minutes in to her life and the fact that her mum told her about me since she was a little girl, it means everything to me,” said Mr Orchard.

“I just love my job because you’re looking after women and their families, especially the women in their most precious time of need and being there for them.

“It’s always important to get the care right and here at the hospital they are well cared for by staff who work at a very high standard because it’s not like you get a second chance at doing it.

“I can look back fondly at what I have done.”

Mrs Orchard was presented with leaving gifts by staff members and was thanked for her years of service by Trowbridge Mayor Glyn Bridges.

Also at the party was Elizabeth Riley, the last baby Mrs Orchard delivered only ten weeks ago.

Her mother Imogen, who gave birth for the first time, said: “Beryl was brilliant, they called her in from home because I had been in labour for a while and she just made me so calm and relaxed.

“It was nice to be able to do it in Trowbridge but if it hadn’t been for Beryl we would have had to go to Bath.”

Mrs Orchard added: “I have mixed emotions but I’ve worked with such fantastic team of people and I need to give them a big thank you for everything they have done.”