Castle hosts reunion for ‘Hazlewood babies’

Families from Australia, Ireland and France are among those invited to the celebration at Hazlewood Castle, near Tadcaster, which is now a luxury hotel.

The historic building was requisitioned by the Ministry of Health in 1939 and spent 14 years as a maternity hospital, welcoming 5,000 babies into the world.

Now the venue is urging the “Hazlewood babies” to enjoy cream teas on the lawn with fellow “babies”, former nurses, midwives and mums.

The first reunion of its kind was held in 2009, to mark the 70th anniversary of the castle being turned into a 25-bed safe house for expectant mothers during the turbulent war years.

More than 500 of the castle’s little “princes and princesses” turned out for the event, travelling from as far afield as Australia.

Visitors included the very first baby ever born there, Hazel Hewitt, whose mother was one of the first pregnant women to be evacuated from Leeds to the safety of the country castle.

Her name was originally spelled Hazle, in recognition of her special birthplace.

This year guests are being urged to bring a cake and compete in the first Hazlewood Baby Bake Off.

The party is on September 9 from 11am to 5pm. Entry by pre-booked ticket only, £5. Ring 01937 535353 or email [email protected]