After helping little ones cross the road at a Bermondsey primary school for six and a half years a much loved lollipop lady has retired to Kent.
Carol Paul, 68, worked at the Phoenix primary school as a lollipop lady and also helped out at the Ilderton Primary School with the nursery and lunch times for two and a half years.
Carol said: “It was a good job. I loved the rapport with the mums and kids, they were all a nice bunch.
“On the last day of term I’d give all the kids lollipops, and sometimes give them cards on their birthdays.”
Now living in Edenbridge, Kent, with Dennis, her husband of 23 years and a minicab driver, Carol never thought she would end up working at a school but went for the position after being made redundant. A resident of Peckham for 37 years, Carol said: “I heard about the job and thought I’d like to have a go at that. I went for an interview, was offered the job and Bob’s your uncle.”
Parents and school kids made sure Carol didn’t retire empty handed.
“I went home laden with presents. I had flowers, cards, chocolates and even a carton of miniature jams. I had to get someone to help me carry it all.”
Carol plans to keep busy during her retirement by taking her granddaughter Sophie to school every day, and working on renovating her garden.