Crossing patrol's leading light is hanging up her lollypop
23 May 2008
After 34 years helping Etwall schoolchildren cross the road, crossing patrol superstar Vivien Rodgers is preparing to hang up her fluorescent yellow cap.
Vivien’s long service as a member of Derbyshire County Council’s school crossing patrol team means that she is now helping a second generation to get to school safely.
She said: “There are children who I help to cross the road now whose parents I helped when they were at primary school.
“I’ve become a bit of a permanent fixture in the village.”
Vivien, who is retiring in September, hopes that someone can be found to fill her shoes and says that, whoever it is, they will find it very rewarding.
“You hold a unique position in the village. Everybody knows you and you become a real part of village life.
“It’s lovely to see the children excited about a special day at school or about models they’ve made and are taking home.”
The children of Etwall have shown her their appreciation over the years by giving her Christmas cards and presents and her experience shows that modern children are just as polite as their counterparts from years ago.
“They all say ‘thank you’,” she said.
Despite the fact that she will miss the job, Vivien said she is looking forward to spending more time with her husband. But she will have daily reminders of her years wielding the giant lollipop stick.
“I can see the crossing from my house,” she said. “I think it might be hard to watch at first. I might have to make sure I’m out.”
Head teacher at Etwall Primary School, Mrs Janet Meakin, said: “Mrs Rodgers’ amazing dedication to duty has made her a familiar figure who is known to all the children. She’s a familiar face at all school events and a leading light in the well-dressing celebration in May.
“She comes into school to talk to the children about her job and they really enjoy her company.”
Mrs Rodgers’ deputy, Vivienne Hunter, is also retiring in September, after 14 years in the job. The idea is that Mrs Hunter takes over when Mrs Rodgers is off sick – except she has never been off sick.
“Vivien is wonderful,” said Mrs Hunter. "She's never ill. I do five or six duties a year, just to keep in training or to cover whenever the need arises.
“She’s been a wonderful lollipop lady, a real asset to the community and I know the children will miss her.”
She added: “I feel it’s the right time for me to retire as well. It wouldn’t be the same being a deputy for anyone else.”
Whether the post will be filled remains to be seen – there are currently around 30 school crossing patrols vacancies across Derbyshire.
Councillor Clive Moesby, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for community safety, said: “We’d like to thank Mrs Rodgers for her dedication to Derbyshire County Council’s school crossing patrol service.
“She’s made a really valuable contribution to the safety of schoolchildren in Etwall for 34 years. We wish her a long and happy retirement.”
Councillor Moesby added: “We’ll be doing all we can to recruit a new crossing patrol and a deputy for the village.
“We are working hard to fill all the empty school crossing patrol posts across the county and would urge anyone who may be able to spare a few hours a day in term time in order to make a real contribution to the safety of local schoolchildren to apply.”
There are currently about 30 vacant school crossing patrol positions across Derbyshire.
For more information about the vacancies please contact the school crossing patrol team on 08 456 058 058.
Ref: LW.224.08
