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Lollipop man hangs up his sign after 23 years

Ewan Gawne & Anna Jameson
BBC News. Manchester
BBC Lollipop man John Astley holds up a lollipop sign bearing the words 'stop' with a symbol of children crossing a road. He is smiling and wearing a high-vis jacket and hat while stood by a crossing. BBC
John Astley has retired after decades helping students cross the road

A "legendary" lollipop man has hung up his stop sign after 23 years helping thousands of youngsters to safely cross the road.

John Astley, who was a regular fixture outside Sale Grammar School in Trafford, Greater Manchester, said it was"so hard to stop doing the job I love so much".

Students showered him with gifts ahead of a special party laid on by the school to mark his final day.

"I love the children, the school staff have been great, it's been marvellous, it really has," he said.

A student in a gilet and pink sweatshirt hands a bunch of flowers to John at the side of a road outside Sale Grammar School.
The lollipop man was greeted with flowers on his last day in the job

When he first took up his lollipop in 2002, Mr Astley said he noticed drivers on their morning commuted all looked "so flipping miserable".

He said: "So I started waving to a few cars, it just escalated beyond all reason. Everyone was starting to wave back then, saying thank you."

Though the decision to retire was tough, Mr Astley said it meant he could spend a bit more time with his partner in the mornings.

A sign put up on a red-brick wall over some railings that shows a picture of the lollipop man holding his sign, with the message "After 23 years, John is going to stop. Happy retirement to the legendary lollipop man".
Mr Astley was popular with local people for his positive attitude

Rebecca Smith, head teacher at Sale Grammar School, said he was "irreplaceable".

She said: "Pupils want to go past that crossing because they want to see John in the mornings.

"And John's done that for 23 years, for thousands and thousands of young people.

"We're really grateful."

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