A SPECIALIST nurse has retired after more than 30 years working for a Hindley hospice.

Sheelagh Pedder, aged 63, joined Wigan and Leigh Hospice on August 10 1984 when it had been in operation for less than 12 months and was based in a former vicarage in Poolstock.

She retired on September 11th after three decades spent caring for thousands of people.

“I’ll miss the people here and the patients and their families – in fact everybody really. It’s such a happy place to work that you feel like a big family and they’ve seen me through so many ups and downs,” said Sheelagh, who lives in Orrell.

Sheelagh is planning a holiday in New York to mark both her retirement and her partner Tony’s 65th birthday.

She is also hoping to spend more time relaxing and concentrating on mastering the saxophone.

She said: “I play the saxophone but I don’t play it very well because I haven’t practiced for ages so I’m going to pick that up again and spend more time with my family and friends.”

Hospice chief executive, Alan Baron, said: “Sheelagh exemplifies what it is to be a hospice nurse. She is so kind, thoughtful and compassionate but she is also a highly skilled clinician."