IT started as one woman’s vision to improve childcare in Bolton.

Now the town’s first baby clinic is celebrating its 100th anniversary.

Health visitors and supporters, mums and babies held a special anniversary celebration at Tonge Fold Health Centre.

They enjoyed cake and a chat, and were able to learn more about the work of health pioneer Sarah Reddish through a display arranged by clinic volunteer Renee Ogden.

Sarah Reddish founded Bolton’s first baby clinic and spent her lifetime championing the rights of the poor in Victorian and Edwardian Bolton.

She started the clinics in November 1908, in an era when hundreds of infants died each year through poor housing, unhealthy surroundings and bad feeding in their early years.

Mrs Ogden, who has volunteered at the Tonge baby clinic for 41 years, organised the anniversary event to make people aware of Sarah Reddish’s important work. She said: “I was very sad to find that no-one had ever heard of this remarkable woman. Sarah Reddish had a dream, a vision, that expectant mothers could go to the centre anytime to be seen by doctors and nurses.

“She had a real job in getting the clinic off the ground at that time but if she came back now, she’d be amazed.

“I started coming here when my daughter was a baby and it was very austere. However, nowadays mothers are welcome to stay for a cup of tea and a chat.”

Sarah Reddish started the first Babies Welcome clinic in the Thomasson Co-op Reading Rooms.

This encouraged Bolton Corporation’s Health Department to then open three other centres where doctors worked for half a day a week.

Babies were weighed, records were kept about their health and mothers were advised on breast feeding, clothing and looking after youngters.

By 1918, there were eight such centres. In 1932, the Government of the day passed the Children and Young Persons Act, which brought the clinics under full municipal control.

Sarah Reddish, died on February 19, 1928, aged 78, and was buried at Heaton Cemetery.

Speaking about the Tonge Fold celebration, health visitor Kerry Whiteside said: “It was lovely to be able to celebrate Sarah Reddish and raise the profile of her work.”

lucy.ewing@thebolton news.co.uk