Lady of leisure Sarah is still top of the pops
A popular Wishaw lollipop lady is hanging up her highvis jacket after almost 40 years.
Sarah Cassidy, 66, officially retired from her post as school crossing patroller on Friday as family and school kids from two local primary schools, St Aidan’s and Calderbridge, looked on.
The great-gran had been working for North Lanarkshire Council at the junction of North Kilmeny Crescent and Maxton Crescent in Coltness.
Speaking to the Wishaw Press on her first day of her retiral, Sarah said: “I was up at my usual time this morning!
“I’ve been doing the job that long I’ve got a built-in alarm clock.
“I started in 1984 when Strathclyde Police provided the crossing patrollers and after three years the council took over.
“It’s quite funny as I’ve seen boys and girls grow up and then you see them taking their own children to school.”
Sarah was mobbed when she started her final shift on Friday afternoon with parents and children wishing her well.
Now “a lady of leisure”, Sarah is looking forward to spending more time with her family.
“I have one great-grandchild and grandkids so I’m sure I will be seeing a lot more of them,” Sarah said.
“It was quite a surprise when I got off the bus on Friday and saw all these people waiting on me.
“I was shocked but it was lovely to see everyone.
“I got some lovely flowers, chocolates and wine.
“I won’t be short over the next few weeks!
“I will definitely miss it but being a lady of leisure now I’m happy to have a bit more time to do things I want to now.”
Sarah’s grand-daughter Chloe added: “Gran has done this job for 39 years.
“She is a part of the community and the children and adults she crosses will miss her.”