Fond farewell as popular crossing patrol woman, Elaine Gledhill, retires

Fond farewell as Elaine Gledhill a popular crossing patrol lady retires

Standing outside, battling against howling gales, the bitter cold and even the odd blizzard is not a job that many would be willing to put up with for very long, but that’s just what school crossing patrol Elaine Gledhill has done for the past 25 years.

When she applied for the role, Elaine only thought that she would ‘give it a go and see how it went’ but over a quarter of a century later she is ready to hang up her hi-vis coat and lollipop and enjoy her retirement.

Elaine has ensured thousands of school children, parents and grandparents have been able to safely cross the busy Rochdale Road East near All Souls School in Heywood. In recent years, she has even started crossing some of those children again – when they return to the school to pick up children of their own.

On her final day, Elaine said: “I have met some wonderful people in all these years and to see some of those first children I crossed all grown-up is really lovely. There are lots of things that I will miss about the job - from the friendships I have made to seeing the smiling faces of the children. But when I’m tucked up in bed on a freezing cold morning – I know I won’t be missing the weather.

“I would like to thank everyone for the wonderful balloons, banners and gifts but especially for all the good wishes you gave me. I will miss you all but I hope I will see you around.”

The school, where Elaine previously worked as a lunchtime supervisor, held a special assembly with all the children to say thank you and bid her a very fond farewell.

The role suited her perfectly as her son was attending the school and the hours allowed her to fit in time with her son. Now her son has grown up, Elaine plans on relaxing and enjoying some quality time with her husband, Alan, who also retired from his job as a management accountant on the same day.