A SPECIAL assembly was held to celebrate a much loved school governor who has retired after three decades of work.

Ferg Ranson has retired after 30 years of being a governor at St Peters Primary School in Sible Hedingham.

He attended his last meeting on Wednesday, November 1.

Mr Ranson has been head of premises on the governing board and has supported the board in making some big decisions for the school.

He was also described as a “reliable figure when pipes burst” and has volunteered his time to attend school trips and award ceremonies.

He first started on November 5, 1993, when his son, Tom, was just five years old.

Mr Ranson was elected as a parent governor and during this time he was elected as a local authority governor and even spent time as chair of the board.

The children held a special assembly on Friday, November 3, and read out a poem created especially to celebrate the occasion.

Pupils quizzed Mr Ranson on his best memories, what has changed over the 30 years and more, and also read out letters from his children about his time as a governor.

A child from each year was chosen and handed a certificate based on the values and skills Mr Ranson demonstrated over the last 30 years, enthusiasm, kindness, respect, perseverance, compassion, encouragement and commitment.

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The chair of Governors Nicola Adams also handed him a special trophy shield, The Ranson Award for Commitment and Endeavour for going above and beyond.

The school said it was a “true reflection on the impact Mr Ranson has had on the school over the last 30 years”.

His wife Jane and three children, Tom, Emma and Rosie, who also attended the school when they were younger, also attended the assembly to celebrate, as did previous head teacher John Smith and past and present governing staff.

Headteacher Nick Hancock felt an assembly was an obvious choice to celebrate his commitment and dedication to the school and the children all celebrated his dedication and bid him a final farewell.

On his exit, Mr Ranson said: "I didn’t know what to expect, the school kept it under wraps. But it was very lovely.

"I'm leaving because I think 30 years is enough, but I would've gladly have stayed longer.

"I think some of my favourite memories are going on extended journeys with the kids like the Lake District.

"It is there they really come out of their shell and get out of their comfort zone. They get there and are a bit worried but by the end don’t want to go home.

"But overall it was an amazing 30 years, with three fantastic headteachers. A wonderful school, which Ofsted always recognised.

"I lend the school my PA and will keep doing that so I will always be up there, I will just be missing the boring meetings."