Staff and pupils throw surprise farewell assembly for 'lollipop man' at Worsthorne Primary School as he steps down after 25 years of service

Retiring from his post after 25 years, Clarets fan Peter was the toast of the school at the assembly where he was presented with 25 gifts, to mark each year at the school.

Pupils also presented him with cards, poems and pictures and a hand knitted ‘mini Peter’ lollipop man. A montage of video messages and photos was shown on a big screen before Peter was clapped out of the school as the pupils chanted his name and confetti cannons were let off. Dozens of parents also gathered outside the school in Brownside Road to give their best wishes to Peter.

Headteacher Mrs Sarah Nicholls said: “We are really going to miss Peter, he has been such a valued member of the team at our school for generations of children. He really has been the heart of the school and we wanted to thank him for all his years of service. He has always been there for the children, whatever the weather, come rain, hail or snow.”

Peter already knew how valued he was at the school, and also in the village, when the community rallied round for him when he spent 10 days in ICU at the Royal Blackburn Hospital after contracting covid. Peter spent months recovering and couldn’t wait to get back to his post seeing children safely across the road each day.

Peter said he has loved his years at the school but felt that, at the age of 85, it was time to hang up his lollipop stick, adding: “The children and staff here have all been like family to me. It has never felt like work, I have always enjoyed the job.

“I have a saying, give up work, yes, but never retire.”