Lollipop man Roy, 86, hangs up his stop sign
HE HAS been the smiling face to hundreds of schoolchildren at the beginning and end of their school days.
But now, aged 86, Roy Demery has hung up his stop sign for the last time.
Mr Demery has been working at the Cardiff Road crossing at Llandaff City Church in Wales Primary School since 2008, and has only ever had one sick day.
Now he’s decided to hang up his stop sign and enjoy a well-deserved second retirement.
Antonia Adejumo does the school run twice a day with her eight-year-old son and six-year-old daughter, and says they’re going to miss Mr Demery’s warm smile.
“He is such a remarkable man,” Mrs Adejumo said. “In appreciation of Roy’s hard work, dedication to the service within the community and helping to keep everyone safe, especially at Llandaff City Primary School, we would like to say a big thank-you.”
Parents surprised Mr Demery with balloons and presents on his final day at work, wishing him all the best.
“It’s the fact that he’s always so happy and says hello to all the children and we will definitely miss him,” Mrs Adejumo added.
Mr Demery used to be an officer for the Church Army, a Christian organisation that cares for people in the community.
“I think looking after children anywhere is God’s gift if you can do it,” Mr Demery said.
“I have never done a job like this. I don’t have any complaints about this job. They love me and I love them.”
Reverend Marja Flipse is vicar of All Saints’ Church in Llandaff North, where Mr Demery is a regular at Sunday Mass.
“He knows everyone and everyone knows him and he’s always in a good mood,” Ms Flipse said. “He always has a smile for everyone and he has the sort of wisdom that only comes from loving people and loving being around everyone.”
Ruth Mumford is another parent who often enjoys a joke with Mr Demery on the school run.
“I said to Roy the other day: ‘Are you ticking off the days until your retirement?’ and he said: ‘No, the days are ticking me off.’”
When asked what he was going to do with more time on his hands Roy said he expected to have “a cup of tea every hour, on the hour”.