A school caretaker brought a smile back to a recently widowed friend’s face by putting up happy messages for him to see every day.

Carol Gammell was moved to help fellow South Oxhey resident John Leonard after he lost his wife, Pat, in the summer of 2021.  

Realising he would have nobody to say hello to in the mornings over the Christmas break, she took to posting messages outside Warren Dell Primary School, where she works, to catch his eye.

She said: “John and I would always say hello in the mornings but he wouldn’t have had that over Christmas. 

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“So, I put the sign out the next day and all it said was ‘Hello John’.

“And when I saw him after Christmas, he said it made his day, so I continued.”

The messages always start with “Morning John” and vary from the playful – “Hang on to your hat it’s a bit windy” – to the concerned – “Getting a bit worried now. Not seen you around.”

John, 80, said he was going through a rough patch after he lost his wife of more than 50 years, but as time has gone on and with the help of the signs, he is feeling better in himself.

Watford Observer: If Carrol doesn't hear from John, she puts a message up outside the school. If Carrol doesn't hear from John, she puts a message up outside the school. (Image: Carol Gammell)

The father-of-three and grandfather-of-seven said: “We, the family, are alright now.

“I know it sounds a bit pathetic, but I look forward to seeing the signs.

“I make sure to walk past when Carol is at the gate.

Watford Observer: Carol sends John messages to look after himself. Picture: Carol GammellCarol sends John messages to look after himself. Picture: Carol Gammell (Image: Carol Gammell)

“If she doesn’t see me, she worries and tells me off – with the signs.”

Carol, who has worked at the Gosforth Lane school for 26 years, said: “I know where he lives, and I will go and check on him if I haven’t seen him for a few days.”

The signs have become so well known that they were the subject of a social media post, and John admits he feels like a celebrity in the community.

Watford Observer: When news of the messages made their way to social media, Carol told John via the messages.When news of the messages made their way to social media, Carol told John via the messages. (Image: Carol Gammell)

He has become so popular with the parents and schoolchildren that he was invited to attend their Jubilee party.

Carol said: “All the staff and children spoke to him. It was a great day.”

John said: “I was only going to stay for an hour, but I stayed for three.”

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