“Morning, morning, morning. Have a good day. Come on Harry. See you later.”

Ken Davies has greeted 1,000s of children like this in all weather as he helped them to safely cross Ton Road to Nant Celyn Primary School.

Today though was a bit different as it was his last day after 25 years as a lollipop man in Cwmbran. After his morning shift he was invited to be a special guest at the year six leavers’ assembly where they all said goodbye.

Dean Davies, deputy headteacher, presented him with a gift and the children gave him a loud round of applause. As he stood in the corridor ready to go in the hall I saw one pupil give him a ‘fist bump’ to say thanks.

The 68-year-old has also worked on Henllys Way to help children heading to Blenheim Road Community Primary School and Ysgol Gymraeg Cwmbran. And he was the lollipop man at Hollybush Junior School before it was demolished and replaced by Nant Celyn Primary School.

He said: “I start here at about 8 o’clock, finish at 9.05am and go home for a cup of tea. Then I go cleaning, as I’m a cleaner and get home at about 12 o’clock. I have dinner and rest then I’m back here for 3 o’clock.

“The best thing about it is the kids, seeing their faces when they come to school.” He has his last day as a cleaner next week and then plans to spend his time in his garden and helping his nephew who has just moved into a new house.

“I think it’s time I went. Let somebody else have a go now.”

VIDEO AND PHOTO OF KEN’S FINAL DAY AT WORK

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