Pupils and staff have said a fond farewell to a dedicated caretaker who has been involved with a Hethersett school for three decades.

Norwich Evening News: Hethersett Woodside Infant and Nursery School caretaker Alan Bolderstone retires after 22 years in the post. (l-r) School office staff member Helen Woodrow, headteacher Angela Jermy, Mr Bolderstone and school office staff member Joanne Adcock. Picture: Archant.Hethersett Woodside Infant and Nursery School caretaker Alan Bolderstone retires after 22 years in the post. (l-r) School office staff member Helen Woodrow, headteacher Angela Jermy, Mr Bolderstone and school office staff member Joanne Adcock. Picture: Archant. (Image: Archant)

Alan Bolderstone has been in post at Hethersett Woodside Infant and Nursery School for 22 years, but his involvement goes back even further as his three children, who are now grown up, all went to the school.

The 65-year-old said he had enjoyed 'being part of the dedication and the sheer hard work of the school staff' and he felt the most important thing was 'the exuberance, enthusiasm and unfailing courtesy of all the children that have come through'.

He said: 'It's been a privilege to serve under five remarkable headteachers and to see the determination and the resilience to get the best for the children and the staff.'

Headteacher Angela Jermy said he would be a 'terribly hard act to follow'.

She said: 'I think the thing with Alan is he's totally and utterly dedicated to the school - he's always been there when we need him.

'We had three days of heavy snow earlier this year and all three days he worked right through.

'On the first day manning the telephones.

'On the second day clearing the snow so the children could come back on the third day.'

She said many schools did not open on that day, and the only reason Woodside was able to, was because Mr Bolderstone spent the previous day clearing the site so the children could be safe.

And because Mr Bolderstone lives with his wife Jane on the same road as the school, Firs Road, he has been able to be the first on-site in the event of any emergency.

Mrs Jermy said: 'Even things like being called out at two o'clock in the morning because the alarm's going off - Alan is always here before me.

'On school fair days he is here early opening up to make sure the site is safe for people to be here.

'You can't replace him - he's part of the village, part of the school.'

Mrs Jermy said that with the school due to move to a new site and building in September 2019, she could understand why Mr Bolderstone felt it was time to retire.

Mr Bolderstone said he plans to take a few weeks to 'take stock' as he eases into retirement and hopes to spend more time with his granddaughter.