Leapark legend: Grangemouth hotel bids farewell to Annie after four decades
The immaculate hair and winning smile of Annie McNeill have been a familiar sight to generations of guests at Grangemouth’s Leapark Hotel.
The popular Bo’ness lady worked at the Bo’ness Road establishment for almost 40 years and spent another 20 before that employed at other venues in the town.
Now 92, Annie has decided to retire – an announcement which marks the end of an era in the local hospitality industry.
Son Robert McNeill said: “She was well loved and well respected at the Leapark – everyone liked her. People and groups who were coming to the hotel would make a specific request for her to be there to serve them."
Annie started her long career in the hospitality trade back in 1963 at Galloways in Grangemouth and spend the next 20 years working there, before moving to the Oxgang in the late 1980s for a couple of years.
She took up her role at the Leapark in 1988 and, for the next four decades, Annie was as a “popular and permanent fixture” dedicated to serving her customers.
Always immaculate, always cheerful, always dedicated to her role, she worked at hundreds, if not thousands, of events at the venue over the years, including Rotary lunches, weddings, Christmas parties, christenings and funerals.
There have even been a couple of golden weddings at the Leapark in recent years which Annie has worked, where she was the waitress who served the couple at Galloways when they got married half-a-century ago.
She has been acknowledged by Grangemouth Probus Club as one of the last few people alive who were present at its inaugural meeting and Grangemouth Rotary Club made her an honorary member when she turned 90 back in 2024.
The Shergill family, who took over the Leapark in 2012, paid tribute her dedication and amazing long service.
They said: “Annie, your loyalty and dedication have meant so much. You have not simply been someone who came to work and did a job – you have been part of the family, part of the memories, and part of so many special occasions we will always remember.
"Thank you for all the years of hard work. Thank you for always being there. Thank you for your loyalty, your warmth, your strength, your love and kindness, and for everything you have contributed.
"I hope you know just how appreciated you are, and how much you have meant to all of us.”
Annie’s big retirement bash, which took place earlier this month, saw people come from all over to mark the occasion, with some who had worked with her for over 30 years, as well as former colleagues and regular customers past and present.
Robert joined his mum on her big day and was able to see her receive a multitude of gifts and kind words from friends and colleagues.
"She thoroughly enjoyed herself,” he said.
He added Annie was now going to enjoy her retirement doing the things she enjoys and will be spending more time with her two grandchildren and three great grandchildren.