CHILDREN said goodbye to their much loved school site manager with surprise books packed with fond memories.

Ian Miles retired from Wharton CE Primary School after 28 years service.

Pupils and staff showered him with gifts including a weather vane with a figure of his cocker spaniel Penny.

"I absolutely loved my job, it was brilliant," said dad-of-three Ian, 71. "It is a very friendly school and everyone works very hard. I will miss the banter with all the staff and little chats with the children."

Ian and his dog Penny with a sign he made for a special school event

Ian and his dog Penny with a sign he made for a special school event

Ian and his dog Penny with a sign he made for a special school event

The school has always played an important role in his life as generations of his family were pupils.

His gran Ethel Miles attended the school in the 1800s. His dad Eric, brother Michael, sister Patricia and his children Carole, Paul and Sandra were all pupils.

His grandchildren are now following in their footsteps.

"I enjoyed teaching the children woodwork," said Ian. "It was such a varied job, no two days were the same."

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Ian now hopes to spend more time with his seven grandchildren and looks forward to celebrating his golden wedding with his wife Linda in October.

Headteacher Natalie Tomlinson said: "So many of our parents remember him from their time at the school and have sent goodwill messages to him. The children were delighted to produce memory books and to present him with a set of wooden giant keys with their goodwill messages and to recall their happy memories.

Staff gave Ian a weather vane featuring his beloved cocker spaniel Penny - now taking pride of place on top of his garden shed

Staff gave Ian a weather vane featuring his beloved cocker spaniel Penny - now taking pride of place on top of his garden shed

Staff gave Ian a weather vane featuring his beloved cocker spaniel Penny - now taking pride of place on top of his garden shed

"He has been such a huge part of our school community, having worked in the old Wharton building and then saw the school transfer to the current building.

"We will miss him in so many ways, not just for the sterling job he did in maintaining our building, but with his involvement with the children.

Ian looks forward to spending more time with his grandchhildren Lexi, Josh, Livvy, Darcey, Thomas, Chelsea and Maisie

Ian looks forward to spending more time with his grandchhildren Lexi, Josh, Livvy, Darcey, Thomas, Chelsea and Maisie

Ian looks forward to spending more time with his grandchhildren Lexi, Josh, Livvy, Darcey, Thomas, Chelsea and Maisie

"He has made so many props over the years to enhance school plays as well as working with the children on practical things such as woodwork projects.

"Most recently he made a Captain Tom model to go on the school roundabout. What a brilliant job he did with that.

Ian enjoys taking his cocker spaniel Penny for a walk

Ian enjoys taking his cocker spaniel Penny for a walk

Ian enjoys taking his cocker spaniel Penny for a walk

"I am hoping that he will continue to visit us and perhaps we can persuade him to help when the children are next able to put on a performance.All the pupils, staff and governors wish him the very happiest of times in his retirement.”