She said goodbye earlier this year but today (June 8) in Frome it was the special party in the park to say farewell to the wonderful community midwife who has been delivering wonderful baby news for close to 40 years.

How many babies would that be?

No one has ever counted. But if you had a baby, or you were a baby and are now in your teens, and perhaps born at the hospital in Frome which is now the Avanti school, she may be a familiar and reassuring face.

When the call came to mark the retirement of Frome Midwife Emma Minden close to 300 families posted to say that she had made the birthing experience something of wonder.

So Nub News was delighted to catch her at the her celebratory picnic in Victoria Park.

Emma was surrounded by flowers, cakes and lots and lots of gorgeous babies, of course.

Emma worked as community midwife, later integrated with the hospital and alongside the GP and has been described as "Fabulous" " Awesome" and " Amazing" by hundreds of mothers.

That outpouring of love and respect for her and her work, she puts that down to being supportive and respective of all her families and all their circumstances and making sure they get what THEY want.

So sometimes that is seeing a mother in early labour and then seeing them off to hospital and then seeing them safely home with their baby in just a few hours and also being on hand if needed to help with breast feeding.

But she has no idea how many women she has helped over the years : " Some women you might have been their birth and supported them but it won't count as 'your' birth.

" The thing is that every birth is unique to you and no birth is ever the same...and its about feeling heard and given you the time YOU need. Sometimes it is knowing when to back off and sometimes it is being there by your side for every single contraction. It is that skill of knowing whether to be strong with someone or understanding that when they are so well supported by their partner, you can stand back and just be there as a reassuring presence.

"It is also knowing them as an individual and seeing them and their family. I used to do all the birth bookings at home so I saw them at home, right from the very beginning. That continuity of care is what matters most, right until and beyond they are home safely with their lovely baby. That's why these families know me."

The good news is that while Emma had planned to retire completely, she then had what she called a wobble. She explained: " I have been on call and full time for 34 years and so I decided instead of stopping everything I would go part time. So now I am working one day on the wards and one day working as Tongue Tie Practitioner. " Which is such reassuring news for mums.