OXFORD’S oldest theatre stalwart took her final bow at the New Theatre yesterday – 71 years after she started.

Peggy Barson began working at the George Street theatre in 1940, when she was aged just 19.

But as she approached her 91st birthday, she decided the time had come to finally enjoy her retirement.

Mrs Barson, from Radley, near Abingdon, said: “They are going to bring a new computer system in and I didn’t want to learn how to use another one.

“I’ve had to learn five computer systems over the years and they’re all so different, I didn’t want to make a fool of myself.”

She added: “I’ve enjoyed every moment of working here. I love all the people, inside and outside the theatre.

“And I’ve never had a cross word in all those years.”

Mrs Barson intends to spend her retirement gardening and looking after Pippa, her 16-year-old Yorkshire Terrier.

She said: “I’ve had Pippa since she was 12 weeks old, when she was a lovely ball of fluff, but now she’s got old and grey. A bit like me really.”

Mrs Barson’s husband George passed away 24 years ago. She has two children, Derek and Christine, seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Two more great-grandchildren are on the way. Her other son, Maurice, died of cancer at the age of 50.

She said of the theatre: “I will really miss it here. I have met some lovely people and it has been good for me, raising three children and keeping my job.”

Her most memorable meetings include stars like Max Bygraves and Ken Dodd.

But her personal favourite was country singer Daniel O’Donnell, who she said was “lovely”.

She said: “The theatre has changed over the years, but not that much. It’s still a friendly place – it has been ever since I started.

“But I never thought I’d last this long. When they told me about the pension scheme, I said I didn’t need to worry about that, as I wouldn’t be there long.”

“It shows what I know. But I would not have stayed if I did not enjoy it. I will probably have a good cry when I get home later tonight.”

Mrs Barson was awarded an MBE in 2001 for services to the theatre.

Staff and former colleagues held a surprise party to say goodbye last night.

Box office manager Tim Nicholls, 28, said: “Peggy has been absolutely brilliant, she’s as good on the computers as anyone else.

“She will be sorely missed. She is a big hit with all the customers and the staff love working with her.”

He added: “She is a complete one-off, I don’t think there’s another Peggy anywhere in the world.”