PUPILS at Garelochhead Primary School said a fond farewell to their retiring janitor on the last day of the school's term.

Grant Lamb, who turned 65 earlier this year was presented with a quaich and a beautiful picture of the view south down the Gareloch as parting gifts from the children and staff.

Grant – or 'Mr Lamb', as he's been known to staff and two generations of pupils – moved to Garelochhead in 1991 after spending eight years working at Lanark Grammar School, and has been a much-loved fixture at the village school ever since.

He said: “Applying for the Garelochhead job was the best move I ever made.

“After eight years in Lanark I was looking for a nice, quiet school, and when the Garelochhead vacancy came up I was lucky enough to get it.

“I couldn't have worked at a better school or with a nicer group of people.

“I'm glad in a sense to be retiring, but I've had a wonderful 26 years.

“Every head teacher I've worked for has been brilliant – in fact all the staff have been great.

“I was made so welcome in the village when I came here. Many of the parents today were kids when I started here, and I've now seen their own children go all the way through the school and on to the Academy.

Anyone who's ever been, or even known, a school 'jannie' will testify that a good rapport with the pupils is crucial to how good he or she is at the job – and how much they enjoy doing it, and Grant is no different.

“I like the wee ones,” he continued, “especially the P1s and P2s. You just never know what they're going to say next.

“They're funny, but they don't realise they're funny.

“Of course you get challenging kids as well, but the secret is to treat every child as an individual. You can't treat every pupil the same.

“At times it can be challenging but I've got on really well with most of them.”

Head techer Denise Donald said: “What doesn't Mr Lamb do? If there's something broken, from a child's glasses to anything more serious, he's been the one to go to. He's handy with computers, he's taken care of the gardens and greenery around the school, and he's even painted the school.

“He's gone to work early, he's stayed late, and he's turned his hand to almost anything. He's definitely gone above and beyond the call of duty.

“He got on so well with all the pupils. They love him and they're very sad to see him go. It was always Mr Lamb they went to whenever they needed something fixed. He was definitely the man with the magic glue!”

Mr Lamb will remain in his post until August 13 – the last day of the summer holidays – just in case of any emergencies, but after that he's planning to move away from the village, either to the Motherwell area, to be closer to family, or to nearby Helensburgh.

“I'll certainly be keeping in touch with the school for a while yet, though,” he added.

“They're not getting rid of me that easily!”