MEET Carl Martin - the very first baby born at Colchester General Hospital.
Carl, now 24, made headlines after heralding a new era for the town's hospital, following the closure of Colchester Maternity Hospital in January 1997.
The former Lexden Road site, where thousands of babies had been born during the previous 50 years, was demolished to make way for a new £11 million, three-storey unit on the Constable wing, at Colchester Hospital.
Carl, a personal trainer at PureGym, in Colchester, became the hospital's first arrival after making his entrance at 11.42am on January 6.
Mum Joyce Humphreys made contact after reading our recent nostalgia pieces about the former maternity hospital.
"Carl was our first child and the labour, which took over 12 hours, started in the old maternity hospital," said the 55-year-old, who still lives in Colchester.
"The clock ticked into the next day and there were midwives coming in and out, checking on me and telling me I would either have the last baby there or the first in the new hospital.
"I ended up being transferred by ambulance to the new hospital with my partner, Peter, following in his car."
Miss Humphreys was delighted to give birth to a boy, weighing 5lb 15oz.
However, she had no idea she was about to find herself in the spotlight because of the historic birth.
"The midwife said we needed to be prepared as the press and a TV crew were at the hospital, outside my room, ready to take pictures and interview me," said the care assistant.
"It didn't really sink in and everything happened so quickly it was overwhelming.
"My dad was utterly shocked, ringing the maternity ward saying 'I've just seen you on TV!
"I've still got all the press cuttings, an Essex Rivers Healthcare publication featuring me on the front page and video footage from Anglia TV."
Miss Humphreys also has a daughter, Elle, who is 19.
Start of a new adventure - Joyce Humphreys, partner Peter and baby Carl at Colchester General Hospital
Exciting times - Joyce Humphreys cradles baby Carl, watched by partner Peter. Carl arrived on January 6, 1997
Happily family - Joyce Humphreys with daughter Elle, son Carl, partner Peter and dog Bobby
Making headlines - Joyce Humphreys found herself in the spotlight after giving birth to the first baby at Colchester General Hospital
Making headlines - Joyce Humphreys found herself in the spotlight after giving birth to the first baby at Colchester General Hospital
Making headlines - Joyce Humphreys found herself in the spotlight after giving birth to the first baby at Colchester General Hospital
Read all about it - Joyce's story featured in Essex Rivers Healthcare's annual report for 1996/97
Front cover - Joyce appeared on the front of Essex Rivers Healthcare's annual report for 1996/97
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