The search is on to find the first Hinchingbrooke babies who were born when the hospital opened 40 years ago.

Hinchingbrooke Hospital has teamed up with The Hunts Post to celebrate the hospital’s 40th anniversary and hopefully track down the mums and their off-spring.

Huntingdonshire-born people turning 40 this September may be among the first babies to have been delivered at the newly-opened Hinchingbrooke Hospital in 1983.

The maternity team at the hospital are appealing to local communities to help locate the first babies delivered in the unit as part of the hospital’s 40th anniversary celebrations in September.

Rowena Chilton, head of midwifery a Hinchingbrooke Hospital, said: “Archive footage of the new maternity unit shows new mums and their babies with commemorative cuddly toys and we would love to know if any of these mementos have been kept.

“It would be fantastic to hear the stories from the first mums to deliver on our unit and to compare how our services have developed in the past 40 years.

“We cannot think of a better way to look back over how far we have come, which is particularly poignant now that we are planning for a new Hinchingbrooke Hospital by 2030.”

We would particularly like to trace the woman in our main photo who it is believed was the first person to have given birth at the hospital in the new maternity unit. If this is you, or your mum, then please make contact with the hospital's communications team. 

It would be lovely to hear your story.

If you were born at Hinchingbrooke Hospital in September 1983,the team would love to hear from you. Contact: nwangliaft.communications@nhs.net.

Also, if you have any old photos from the time, or maybe you worked at the hospital when it first opened, please share your memories and any photographs you may have.

The Hunts Post: The hospital was officially opened in October 1984 by HRH Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester.The hospital was officially opened in October 1984 by HRH Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester. (Image: NWAFT)

The Hunts Post: This is the old Huntingdon County Hospital which closed in 1983. It is now a residential community building, but many of the external features are still there.This is the old Huntingdon County Hospital which closed in 1983. It is now a residential community building, but many of the external features are still there. (Image: NWAFT)

The Hunts Post: Hinchingbrooke Hospital under construction.Hinchingbrooke Hospital under construction. (Image: NWAFT)