A POPULAR lollipop lady in Bournemouth has retired from “the best job in the world” after serving the community for nearly 30 years. 

Jan Cutler, who has served as a lollipop lady in Bournemouth for 26 years, crossed school children from Oak Academy from her post in Poole Lane for the last time on Tuesday, February 28. 

Known as 'Jan the nan with the van’, she said the fondest memory she will take with her is the children, which she said is like having “hundreds of grandchildren”. 

The 66-year-old said: “If you like kids, it’s the best job in the world. I have so much fun: chasing them, they’re cheeky little monkeys – even the senior school children – but it is all a laugh. 

Bournemouth Echo:

“I love it when kids who I used to cross the road when they were a child come back as grown men and women, and they come with their own children and say ‘Hi, I remember you’. It’s the best feeling. 

“My fondest memory will be the kids. All the little pranks they play, the cuddles, everything. It’s like having hundreds of grandchildren. 

Read more: Dorset's lollipop lady Jean Witt retiring after 47 years

“It isn’t all for show, it’s a genuine feeling felt.” 

Starting out as a lollipop lady and a dinner lady in Winton 26 years ago, Jan has spent the past 12 years helping the children cross Poole Lane. 

On her final day, she handed out sweets to everybody passing by.

She said: “I won’t let you cross the road if you don’t get one.” 

Bournemouth Echo:

Barely 10 seconds would go by standing with Jan without somebody waving to her or starting a conversation, such is her popularity. 

She said she made the decision to leave because of health reasons, rather than age. 

“I wanted to do this until they put me in a box, but I’m going to bed with cold legs because it’s so cold outside,” she added. 

One pupil's mother who often stands chatting to Jan, Sharon Wake, said: “She’s always jolly and everybody loves her. She has a good, wicked sense of humour.” 

Read more: Bournemouth School for Girls says goodbye to lollipop man

Jan plans to spend more time during her retirement in her caravan, touring around the country on holiday. 

“When working, you can only go away in the school holidays when it’s busy and more expensive,” she added.

“So I’m really looking forward to taking off when I please, for how long I please when it’s a bit cheaper.”