A lollypop lady has celebrated 40 years of helping children cross the road in Buckinghamshire.
Christine is Buckinghamshire Council’s longest serving patrol officer. She first picked up her lollipop in 1978 when she took over the role from her own mother-in-law. Since then, Christine has helped guide thousands of children, parents and carers across the road to and from school, with a smile on her face, whatever the weather.
Christine’s dedication to her role received royal recognition in 2021 when she was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM). Christine also attended the Queen’s Royal Garden Party in 2018, following her 40-year anniversary.
Christine said: “I love welcoming the children into school each day and have enjoyed watching them grow up and then bringing their own children and grandchildren along to the school.”
When Christine first started her role, school crossing patrollers wore a simple, white dust coat. Now they wear high visibility fluorescent and reflective clothing to ensure they are seen by other road users, but they still carry their iconic ‘lollipops’ that give them their much-loved identity.
Steven Broadbent, Cabinet Member for Transport who attended the assembly to thank Christine, said: “I would like to congratulate Christine and give my sincere thanks for her incredible dedication and hard work over the years. Our School Crossing Patrollers do a fantastic job helping children across the county to have a safe journey to and from school every day. Whatever the weather, Christine and her colleagues are there with a smile on their faces and a cheery greeting, carrying out such an important job in our local communities which we thank them for.
Steven continued: “School Crossing Patrollers also play a key role in promoting more active travel and encouraging families to walk to and from school instead of driving, by creating a safer environment to do so. This has a positive impact in multiple ways, from cleaner air to healthier lifestyles and important learning about road safety from an early age.”
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