Come on, join the lollipop brigade!

Dec 29 2008 by Barry Gibson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

HUNDREDS of Huddersfield children are being put at risk every day because of a shortage of crossing patrols.

Kirklees Council has 30 vacancies, with particular problems in Almondbury, Bradley, Birkby, Dalton, Linthwaite, Lockwood, Mirfield, Netherton and Paddock.

But why is there such a shortage of lollipop ladies; and indeed laddies?

Well, working outside in all weather is not everyone’s cup of tea.

And the job can be dangerous as Muhammad Ismail found last month.

The 73-year-old Birkby grandfather was knocked down by a hit-and-run driver on Bradford Road at Fartown, leaving him with a broken leg and a fractured arm.

But some people, like award-winning lollipop lady Carolynn White, love their job.

The Honley woman was named the best crossing patrol in Kirklees this year. Carolynn, 51, has been helping children from Honley Infants and Honley Juniors cross Westgate for the last 12 years.

She said: “My job is wonderful. If I ever feel fed up the children’s faces brighten up my day. They cheer you up and you cheer them up. I received lots of cards and little gifts from them in the run-up to Christmas.”

Carolynn started working as a lollipop lady when her daughter, Kade, was three. She said: “I had a young child, so the job fitted in with her school. She’s 15 now, nearly ready to leave school, but I wouldn’t leave my crossing job.

“If you’re about my age and you’ve got a bit of time on your hands I would recommend the job as a way to meet new people. I’m sure anyone who tries it will want to keep doing it.”