IT was the end of an era today at the Church of the Nazarene kindergarten in Daubhill, Bolton.

After 18 years of looking after children, Anne Brannan, or "Auntie Anne" as she is popularly known, is leaving the playschool for a role as Associate Minister at the Church of the Nazarene in Perth, Scotland.

As Anne hails from Glasgow, it could be seen as a return home but as she points out she has lived in the North West as long as she ever lived in Scotland - 21 years in both places. She said: "I'm really going to miss Bolton and the people I've met over the years."

Anne is due to leave Bolton on Monday and today was her last day at the kindergarten.

Yesterday, parents of the hundreds of under-fives who have attended the kindergarten over the years, made a presentation to her and there will be a farewell party at the Southend Street church on Sunday.

Anne came to Manchester 21 years ago to study a theology diploma at the Church of the Nazarene's college in Didsbury.

She had previously studied nursery nursing and when she completed her diploma three years later she took the post of supervisor at the newly opened kindergarten at Church of the Nazarene. She said: "Back then there were not the opportunities to take up pastoral work that there are now. But because the church has grown so much, there is now a move to run the churches with a small team instead of just one Minister and that's why this opportunity for me to become a Minister has arisen."

In Bolton, Anne was given the opportunity, if limited, to undertake pastoral work. On top of being employed in the Kindergarten full-time Anne held the post of director of Christian Education which involved taking services and making speeches to various groups.

In addition, she has been involved in running brownie and guide groups and sings in the choir.

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