35 years and counting for Littleborough lollipop ‘legend’

Jacqueline Robinson has been helping children get safely to and from Stansfield Hall Primary School since 1988

A long-serving and much-loved school crossing patrol officer from Littleborough is celebrating 35 years of service.

Jacqueline Robinson, 75, has been helping children get safely to and from Stansfield Hall Primary School since 1988. She was surprised by a visit from Councillor Shah Wazir, cabinet member for highways and facilities at Rochdale Borough Council who thanked her for her outstanding service and described her as an unsung community hero.

He said: “We couldn’t let such a milestone and so much hard work go by.

"A constant presence for so many years and with an exemplary record, she is our longest serving school crossing patrol officer and one of our longest serving employees, a local legend in Littleborough. Jacqueline is known to generations of residents, part of so many people’s childhoods, everyone knows her face and we are rightly very proud of her.”

No-one is more surprised about the 35 years achievement than Jacqueline herself, who when originally taking up her post said she never intended it to be more than a short term job: “I was already working at the school helping out in the dining room and the head teacher was looking for someone to work on the school crossing, so I just said I’d help out until they found someone else!”

Three and a half decades later they have long since given up looking and have no intention of replacing her, and that suits Jacqueline who certainly has no plans to retire and still works at the school as a lunch time organiser in between her morning and afternoon crossing patrol shifts. She said: “The years have gone by so quickly it doesn’t feel like that long, I like making myself useful, keeping busy, and I’ve grown to love the job. Over time you get to know the children really well and a lot of drivers too. I’m now crossing with parents bringing their own children to school, and I remember them when they were at the school so it’s lovely to see the next generation grow.”

Whilst she is looking forward to the summer break and spending more time with family, friends and her beloved dog, Jacqueline says she’s always ready to go back after a holiday: “I start to miss everyone at the school after a while, especially the smiles from the children so I enjoy getting back to work” she added.

With the council always on the look-out for new school crossing patrol officers to fill vacancies, Jacqueline said she’d recommend the job to others: “I’d advise anyone who thinks the hours would suit them to give it a try, I didn’t think I’d be suitable but you get used to it quickly and the majority of drivers are courteous and respectful. The support I get from my supervisor Nicola is great, the uniform and everything you need is provided and you’re well cared for.”

This autumn Jacqueline will feature in the council’s social media campaign helping to promote road safety around schools and reduce the number of drivers who fail to stop.

The campaign was launched in response to reports of poor driver behaviour and coincides with a special platinum jubilee anniversary, as this month marks 70 years since school crossing patrol services were formed across the country.