Wimbledon: Sunnyside Nursery to close after 50 years

Sunnyside Nursery, which was first founded in the 1970s, must close at the end of July due to the closure of the hall in Merton Road which it used day to day.

The nursery school has been run by Pearl Alphonse and supported by her husband Bobby for more than 50 years.

Sunnyside has seen former pupils enrol their own children, meaning that generations of families have passed through the nursery.

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Last Friday, The Mayor of Merton, Cllr. Joan Henry and Deputy Mayor, Cllr. Agatha Akyigyina, OBE attended a celebration at the hall which was packed with past and present families.

The event was to celebrate the nursery and to thank Pearl for all the years of service.

The Mayor of Merton thanked her personally for her contribution to the community and the support that the nursery gave to parents and Merton Council over the years.

Pearl was presented with flowers and a certificate.

Pearl Alphonse with Mayor of Merton, Cllr. Joan Henry, receiving her flowers and certificate - Image Credit: AURIEL GLANVILLE

Members of staff nursery staff Sara Clark and Lizzie Hobbs were also gifted flowers and certificates to commemorate their 25 years of working at Sunnyside, along with Karen Acosta, who had worked there for four years.

Pearl, founder of Sunnyside Nursery, said: "This celebration was a complete surprise organised by my family and I would like to thank everyone involved for making this such a special day for myself and Bobby, the nursery could not have been in service for so long without his support and contribution throughout the years.”