COMPLETING a successful career spanning 36 years has been child’s play for Pam Fell.

There were tears and farewells galore when she retired from the popular Hollins Pre-School playgroup which she helped to launch way back in 1972.

Apart from a break of a few months, 65-year-old Pam has been at the heart of the village playgroup which meets in Hollins Community Centre.

“I’ve been here so long that we are now getting the children of parents who came here some years ago,” said Pam, who lives in Mather Avenue, Whitefield.

Her last day officially at the playgroup was yesterday although her presentation took place last Thursday to coincide with a children’s Easter bonnet parade.

She received vouchers for gardening products. Latterly, she was a playgroup staff member but for many years was leader.

She said: “I was one of the founders when it began way back in 1972. We wanted a pre-school playgroup in the village, so we got a committee together. Right at the start, it opened three mornings a week and had three staff. Apart from a few months away, I’ve been here for 36 years.

“We are a community-based playgroup, catering for children aged two to five, and provide all sorts of activities. Now, we are open five mornings and four afternoons a week, cater for 34 children and have eight full-time staff.”

The mother-of-two added: “It will be a bit of a wrench to leave after so many years. But I will take away lots of happy memories.”

Colleague Christine Clarke, deputy playgroup leader, said: “We are really going to miss Pam. She has taught us so much and will leave behind so many pearls of wisdom.”