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Mount Vale Care Home

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Activities & Events

Activities and events listings:

The Mothers of Mount Vale Return

28/06/2008

Around fifty ladies of different ages gathered at the Mount Vale Care Home in Northallerton to retrace their steps and relive the memories of when they were last at the former Mount Maternity Hospital.

The Walk the Steps fundraising initiative was devised by Sarah Broadbent, General Manager of Mount Vale Care Home to raise money for The Friarage Maternity Unit.

Sarah said: "The building is such a landmark in the local community and people are often commenting on how they would like to come and see what it is like now. It's a Grade One listed building and we have retained many of the original features, including its famous grand staircase in the homes entrance."

There was a good response to the invitation with local residents turning out to reminisce about where they had their babies and to share their stories. Quite a crowd gathered outside in readiness for the doors to be opened; a far cry from when they last entered the building as expectant mothers had to use the side entrance, they were only allowed to leave via the front door once they had their babies!

Raffle prizes where generously donated by local business and tea & cakes where enjoyed by the guests in the dining room. A total of £230 was raised for the Maternity Unit at The Friarage.

Originally built as an individual residence in 1780 for the Wellbeck family, The Mount entered public use as a maternity hospital 36 hours before the outbreak of the Second World War. In its first year the Mount only delivered nine babies, but went on to become a well known fixture in the community where many babies were born. Having sat empty for 20 years, Barchester Healthcare brought a new lease of life into the building, recognising its importance in the local community.