A much loved 71-year-old lollipop lady has hung up her hi-viz vest after 40 years – despite the job only supposed to have been temporary.
Great grandmother Myra Pugh started working as a lollipop lady as a way to take care of her children when they were young.
She was all set to return to her former career as a secretary, but loved her crossing duties at Edinburgh Academy Junior School in Edinburgh so much she carried on.
Now 40 years later she has decided to hang up her luminous orange jacket and give up her stop sign.
This week the school dedicated an assembly to the much loved lollipop lady and sang her a farewell song.
She admitted she would “miss everyone” she speaks to while at work.
She said: “As sad as it is, I am quite looking forward to retiring as my hip has been playing up since Easter.
“The best thing about the job was meeting and speaking to people every day, I loved it.
“I’ve seen boys grow into dads, and dads grow into granddads, which is quite remarkable when you see people moving through the generations. Don’t get me wrong, it was hard when the weather wasn’t the greatest, but I will really miss working with the kids.”
Myra is originally from Bo’ness, Falkirk, and is a mum of four, gran of 10 and great-grandmother to seven.
And she is now looking forward to spending more time with her family, dancing and going to the bingo.
Myra, winner of an award for best school crossing guide in Scotland in 2005, added: “It was so nice of the children to sing me a song again, they did the same on my 70th birthday.
“This is the end of an era for me, and I’m looking forward to spending my retirement with my family but I will go back to the school regularly to see the kids.”
Mark Enos, head of physical education and games at the Edinburgh Academy Junior School, said Mrs Pugh will “sadly missed” by the teachers, pupils and parents.
He said: “Mrs Pugh is one of those people you can’t tell how she’s feeling. I’m pretty sure she would have had a tear in her eye yesterday as the kids were singing to her but if she did, she didn’t show it.
“No matter how bad the weather was, or what was going on in the street, she always kept her cool and had a smile on her face.
“She would speak to everyone that passed and it was clear she absolutely adored the children.
“I hope she enjoys her retirement but she will be sadly missed by all.”
By Pamela Paterson
