HASLEMERE Mayor Malcolm Carter launched the town’s first ‘Bump to Baby and Beyond’ show at The Georgian Hotel, with the help of six year-old Jack Weeden, who won the event’s colouring competition, on Saturday.

Geraldine Joaquim, of organiser Quest Hypnotherapy, said: “The idea behind the show was to bring together under one roof a range of the super local business and services we have in and around Haslemere supporting families from starting their families through to the toddler years.

“The companies ranged from pre and postnatal exercises, hypno-birthing and postnatal classes, music and movement, baby massage, baby and toddler swimming, nursery, baby sleep consultant and more, and we had a steady flow of visitors throughout the day.

“The Haslemere and District Community First Responder stand also received a lot of attention with children having a go on the ‘Resusci family,’ a whole range of CPR training manikins, including a young child.

“There were several experts in their fields, including Sara Rounce of The Wellwoman Fitness Foundation, who runs pre and postnatal pilates classes and is currently co-chair for The UK Guild of pre and postnatal exercise instructors, Gemma Suntokeesing, of Buggy Bootcamp, who is an industry professional and trains personal trainers in pre and post-natal fitness, and Michelle Carrington of Haslemere Chiropractic Clinic.

“Many visitors recognised Theresa Kennedy, a retired midwife, who spent more than 25 years bringing Haslemere’s babies into the world, who was on Quest Hypnotherapy’s stand talking about hypno-birthing and its benefits.

“We also held a raffle and raised £120, which will be split between two charities, Action for AT and Kicks Count.

“Quest Hypnotherapy, which offers hypno-birthing classes and one-to-one sessions, as well as clinical hypnotherapy, hopes that this will become an annual fixture in the town’s calendar.”