Alex McGunigle, lollipop man
I started being a lollipop man in 1991, when I took early retirement. I was working with Glasgow City Council building works, and I started my job as a lollipop man so I didn’t get bored. I turned 85 this year, and was doing it for 28 years.
I’m a bricklayer to trade. When I left school, I got a job as a bricklayer and my twin brother Harry got a job as a greengrocer. He went into the army when he was 18. I went into the army when I was 21, did two years and went back onto my trade. Years later, Harry went into the refereeing, then I got a place too. He got on the seniors list, and then I got onto it. I went to the Scottish cup final in 1974, then the league cup final in 1982. I refereed the junior final in 1971. I’m still involved, I’m a past president of the referees. I go to all the meetings.
I’m down at the crossing between Merrylee Road and Clarkston Road – it’s a busy crossing. I’ve never driven myself. It can be a dangerous corner. There’s about six lights down there.
When I started it was in Merrylee and Our Lady of the Annunciation Primary in the old school, before they built this new one. You see all the changes all the time. It’s incredible. The old building is new houses now. It’s been good for the place and this is a lovely school.
The kids keep you young. I think Christmas was my favourite time in the school, because the kids get so excited. The plays that the kids do are terrific.
This is the beauty of the job – you meet all sorts of people. Both the schools gave me a lovely assembly for leaving.
It has all changed here, it’s incredible. When I look in and see all the wee tots on the computer, it’s fantastic. The old headmistress, when I started school, was very strict. If we were even late we got in trouble or we’d get the strap – that’s the big difference in the schools now. But this is a great school and the staff are terrific.
I’ve had some different experiences now. Lots of the kids are bringing their kids now and you see them grow up. A few years ago, I was at the old Victoria Hospital. A wee bit later, one of the doctors came by and I took her across the road. These things happen.
My wife Anna worked in the geriatric unit. I have three daughters, my eldest died nine years ago. My other is in Australia with twin girls and my youngest girl is here too. I’ll be doing everything in the house, because Anna can’t do much. My twin, Harry, died a couple of years ago. That’s life.
I’m still a member of the Cathcart bowling club, but I don’t bowl much now. I run the bingo for the ‘old folk’ in Cathcart.
Being a lollipop man – it’s a good job for anybody that wants to do it. I was never bored. You’re on your toes most of the time.
Carla Jenkins
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