Carol Merrie is 77 years young and her school days are but a distant memory — yet for more than 36 years she has been up and ready for the school bus like clockwork.
The much-loved on-board passenger assistant has finally called it a day having kept watch over generations of school pupils making the journey to and from Langwathby Primary School.
It was a role she stepped into in September 1986, after filling in for a few weeks. Officially, she was supposed to have retired last summer.
Yet, in October 2022, with problems finding someone to fill the role, Carol kindly agreed to help, but has now officially handed over to Alison Bailiff, of Penrith.
Carol signed off with thank you cards, a special school presentation, gift vouchers and a touching picture signed by pupils.
Carol, of Langwathby, had two children of her own and many of the pupils she has escorted regard her as their “school nana”. She has been there from their first tentative steps on to the school bus, to their confident last day of primary.
She has even telephoned worried mums to reassure them that their little ones got there safely. Carol has seen pupils grow up, get married, and have children of their own who they have brought along for her to keep watch over.
In the very early days, children as young as three travelled on the journey and there were no seatbelts, and she would lead them in the occasional sing-song.
Carol said: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it and if ever there’s a problem you are there to help, but I am ready to stop now. I’ve always enjoyed getting out and about on the bus and the children have been grand.
Parent Heather Wilson said: “We are so grateful to Mrs Merrie for her dedication to getting children to and from school safely for all these years, two generations in our family’s case. The lady is an absolute star. All the kids and parents love her.
Richard Lowrey-Heywood said: Handing over your child on their first day of school is something a parent worries about. Mrs Merrie was fantastic and you just knew they were safe and looked after. She will be missed.”
