More than 100 people gathered in Unsworth to surprise a ‘pillar of the community’ following her decision to hang up the high vis and lollipop after 35 years.
A teary-eyed Ann Sharp exited The Dog Haus to cheers and applause as crowds of school children, teachers, friends and parents surprised her with thanks and gratitude.
Ann, who has been a lollipop lady for generations of school children, said it was ‘like being on The One Show’ and couldn’t get over how many people had come out to see her.
@theburytimes Thank you Ann ❤️#lollipoplady #Bury #surprise ♬ original sound - The Bury Times
The 83-year-old said: “I only went for a tea and a coffee with my daughter's friend and came out to hundreds of people, I’m overwhelmed. I don’t deserve that and I certainly didn’t expect it.
“Everybody is so kind in Unsworth but to me it wasn’t a job because I enjoyed doing it, if you enjoy doing something then it is half a battle.”
Ann started the position after a friend saw the job notice in Sunnybank Post Office and thought of her.
Despite initially saying no, she got in touch and had an interview in the front room of her house, as the sun ‘poured in through the window’ and made her feel at ease.
After that, she became a well-known face in the community, writing around 200 Christmas cards each year for children.
Sharon Marshall, a teacher at Unsworth Primary School, received Ann's Christmas cards as a child and now her daughters do too.
She said: “I have fond memories of Ann, me and my brother were lucky enough to have been crossed over the road safely by Ann when we went to Castlebrook.
“Now my girls are both at the school – now Unsworth - and have been crossed by Ann too.
“She is such a lovely person in community, and we are all going to miss her.
"We want to celebrate her legacy and the hard work she has been doing.”
A poem has been written about Ann, £1,150 has been raised and she has been given several donations from local businesses.
School pupils also gave her gifts, including a lifetime ticket to their shows.
Estate agent, Nigel Bagguley, gave a speech to Ann who he described as a ‘caring, devoted, sweet lady who never complains’.
He said: “Ann always has a warm smile, a twinkle in her eye and is a pillar of strength and symbol of dependability.
“She has built a strong sense of community with her friendly chats and words of wisdom no matter the weather.”
Helen Coverdale played a key role in orchestrating the surprise and was instrumental in guiding Ann to the crowds awaiting her.
When asked about her retirement, Ann said she would have loved to carry on but after a recent accident, it is no longer possible.
She said: “I said I would give this up when I turned 80, but 80 came and went and I did not, but the last two winters have been harder and I’m afraid of falling.
“I had an accident on last week of school term and banged my head and fractured the vertebrae of my spine.
“I keep saying I feel like I’m an old lady and then remember I am, but If I hadn’t had my accident, I would still be lollipopping, it keeps me young.”
Ann added that she is upset that she didn’t get the opportunity to say goodbye to several elderly ladies and gentlemen and wants them to know she is “sorry for packing it in”.
Year 10 pupil, Oliver Yeomans, said that the pupils at Unsworth School all love her and they will be sad to see her go.
He said: “She’s been in the community for a long time, I don’t think there is one person here who doesn’t know her.
“All the children from Unsworth love her, everyone knows her, there’s not one bad thing you could say about her.”
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