A RETIRING playgroup manager who has served the Middlewich community for almost 35 years was given a surprise send-off by colleagues and parents, past and present.

Sandra Lewis, who initially joined Middlewich Community Centre-based Playbox Playgroup in 1981, is retiring after more than three decades of supervising the town’s youngsters.

To honour her lengthy and dedicated service, colleagues rounded up those who have known Sandra over the years for a surprise party on Tuesday evening, July 5.

Sandra said: “They kept it secret, it was a big, big surprise. A lot of parents past and present came to wish me a happy retirement and I had so many beautiful things, which was lovely.

“I see familiar faces sometimes in passing and they were all there for me. Some children we look after, their parents have been here when they were young.

“I started working two mornings a week when my youngest started here and he is now 39! I just filled in the gaps and did more and more hours.

“The lady who ran it asked if I would want to take over and I said ‘I haven’t the confidence’, but she asked me again and I thought ‘I suppose I would have to get on with it’.”

Sandra took over as supervisor in 1988 and has seen generations pass through the playgroup, which will take a new direction from September as ‘Middlewich Pre-school’.

She says she is looking forward to spending some time with her own family as she enjoys retirement.

“I will miss it but it is the right time to go, to be fair to myself, the parents and the children – I will be 65 this year and it’s had the best of me.

“My husband has just retired from teaching, so I want to spend more time with the family. I am looking forward to that and cheap holidays as well – we have never had cheap holidays because of the jobs we do!”

Current staff member Emma Jones will take the reins of Middlewich Pre-school. For more information, contact Emma on 07773246440.