Lollipop lady's long service honoured

A grandmother who has provided safe passage to generations of children is to be honoured today. Doris Wilson, 80, will be given an award by East Riding Council chairman, Coun Christopher Matthews, to mark 40 years of unbroken service on the Leven school crossing patrol.

By The Newsroom

Published 11th Mar 2010, 10:29 BST

Updated 11th Mar 2010, 10:30 BST

Mrs Wilson – the longest-serving "lollipop lady" in the East Riding – ran her first patrol in 1969, earning the princely sum of 5d sixpence-farthing, or just over 25p, per hour. She began as a temporary replacement to cover the illness of the previous incumbent, but shows no sign of relinquishing her lollipop.

She said the pay "hasn't gone up much", but the job has other rewards. "It's near where I live and I just have to go up the drive and I'm there. It gets me out and I get to know the local news, and it's lovely in summer but bitter in winter. The children I'm taking there now I used to take their mums and dads across." Coun Matthews said: "There can't be many people out there who have spent 40 years working to keep young people safe as they travel to and from school. Mrs Wilson deserves to be honoured for her many years of public service."

Picture: Terry Carrott.

East Riding