Dedicated Arnie hangs up his lolly!

Arnie Marsden - great sendoff from school

AFTER 12 happy years of safely guiding children in Shaw across the road, popular lollipop man Arnie Marsden has hung up his stick.

Arnie (64) has been the crossing patrol officer at Crompton House School, Rochdale Road, for the last five years and made a huge impression on teachers, pupils and parents. Before that he was a popular figure in the same job at Beal Vale Primary School and St James Primary School, both in Shaw, for seven years.

Arnie, a father of three, who lives in Shaw with his wife of 43 years Linda, said: “Leaving was really emotional. More than anything I will miss talking to the children, that’s what I loved about the job.

“In some ways I will miss it, but I won’t miss standing outside in the winters.”

On Friday, Crompton House School held a special assembly to say goodbye to Arnie, who worked as a compositor at the Evening Chronicle for 38 years.

He said: “I wasn’t expecting anything like that. I’ve really enjoyed doing the job over the years so to be given a nice send-off is lovely.”

He was presented with a framed picture of the school.