50 years and still going strong for Dot the Lollipop

Devoted lollipop lady Dot Thompson is celebrating reaching her 50th year of helping children to safely cross the road.

Known affectionately as ‘Dot the Lollipop’, rain or shine, the evergreen 76-year-old rides her bike to St Joseph’s RC Primary School on Wallsend Road, North Shields, for her patrol duties.

Such has been Dot’s longevity, she has helped generations of families as well as pupils who went on to become teachers at the school.

And her local notoriety even means that post sent to ‘Dot the Lollipop’, but missing her full address, find its way to her.

Dot said: “It’s a way of life for me. There’s a hell of a lot to be said for staying in the job you love. 

“I really enjoy speaking to the children and their parents too.

“The weather can be awful in winter, but the way I look it is I would have to go out anyway for food or fresh air, so why not do this?”

Dot started out as a relief lollipop lady on 12 October 1970, providing cover at locations across the borough, including St Joseph’s, when colleagues were sick or on holiday. Her first pay packet was for just £5.

After a few years the opportunity arose for a permanent position next to St Joseph’s – what she regarded as the ‘school on the hill’ - and she has been there ever since.

Dot says the job has remained largely the same - plus she still wears shorts in hot weather - and has also continued to maintain the school garden.

She said: “The road has got busier, but I’ve honestly never had any nastiness from a motorist. I have to say that taxi drivers have always been the best for stopping.”

In 1977 she came second in a competition, hosted by TV presenter Ed Stewart, to find the best lollipop person in the United Kingdom. And she was awarded an MBE in 2008 recognition of her road safety and charitable work.

Dot said: “I remember the postman holding out the letter from the Queen – it was like something from a Walt Disney fairytale, all it needed was to be a on a silver platter.

“I sat at the kitchen table and read it, thinking. ‘Eeh, God!’

“I’ve always loved the Royal Family and was presented the MBE by Prince Charles – he was marvelous.”

Now, after five decades of helping to keep children safe, Dot is reaching the point where she’s considering hanging up her hi-vis jacket for good.

She said: “Thankfully, I’ve been very lucky with my health. I’m quite mobile which has meant I’ve been able to continue for as long as I have.

“Over the last couple of years, I thought that it would be great to get to 50 years and then, if I left, I would be going out with a bang. But it feels like this year has been cancelled because of coronavirus, so who knows?”

Elected Mayor Norma Redfearn CBE said: “Dot is absolutely fantastic. It’s amazing to think she’s been doing the job for half a century whatever the weather – and some of the winters in that time were absolutely awful I can tell you!

“She’s a marvelous ambassador for what North Tyneside is all about and is extremely popular and well-respected among the local community.

“Whatever the future holds for Dot, we wish her all the best and I’d personally like to thank her for her many years of incredible service, and if she does decide to hang up her lollipop for good, well, no one can say she hasn’t earnt it can they?”

The School Crossing Patrol Service is delivered for North Tyneside Council by its partner Capita.

Capita School Crossing Patrol Coordinator Juleen Brown presented Dot with flowers and shopping vouchers for reaching the magnificent milestone.

Juleen said: “Dot’s lengthy public service is something we’re delighted to help celebrate.

“Through her years of dedication, she has become a central figure in the local community and is greatly appreciated by the school, parents and children alike.”

Pupils at St Joseph’s RC Primary School have prepared cards for Dot while the school presented her with a special painting and a lollipop-shaped cake.

Headteacher Claire Hedley said: “Dot is an essential part of our school community.

“She is a warm and friendly face to greet the children every day, no matter what the weather is like.

“She knows not only nearly all of the children’s names but their parents as well. Away from her lollipop duties, Dot always attends school events including coffee mornings and summer fayres and made a Christmas cake to raffle at the Nursery nativity play for years. Dot also continues to maintain our small school garden.

“Dot is more than our lollipop lady, she is a part of St. Joseph’s. Her incredible service to our school and community over 50 years is a fantastic achievement - congratulations Dot!”

There are currently 44 School Crossing Patrol Officers and six vacant posts. Anyone interested in joining the team, should contact Juleen Brown, Tel: 07725 600679.