The borough’s 40 school crossing patrol officers are being presented with a special commemorative badge and certificate to mark 70 years of patrols.
The idea for school crossing patrols came in the late 1940s when two of the newly created road safety officers in the London Boroughs of Dagenham and Barking recognised a growing problem with the safety of child pedestrians given the increasing volume of traffic on roads.
Jock Brining and Dorothy Pummell had the idea of ‘official’ adults to help children on their way to school at points where traffic was at its worst.
The service was subsequently created by the School Crossing Patrol Act in 1953. The first official patrol started work in 1954 and while the uniform and sign have changed to meet modern standards – and patrols can now stop traffic to cross any pedestrian, adult, or child.
Capita, which delivers the school crossing patrol service on behalf of North Tyneside Council, is distributing the badges and certificates. A national road safety organisation, Road Safety GB, commissioned the badge.
Irene Wharton, 82, is among those to receive the badge and will wear it on her uniform along with those she was presented during the 50th and 60th anniversaries.
Irene has been a school crossing patrol officer in Shiremoor for over 41 years and jokes she is now part of the community’s “fixtures and fittings”.
She said: “Everybody asks me when I’m going to retire but I’m not ready for that – the job gives you a bit of purpose in life.”
“I like being out in the fresh air,” added Irene. “I also like meeting people and it’s lovely seeing the little children – they’re gorgeous.
“People say the job must be awful in bad weather but there are more good days and if the weather is bad we have the equipment for it. It’s a job I would recommend without a doubt.”
Cllr Hannah Johnson, cabinet member for the Environment, said: “Our school crossing patrol officers provide an important service and I’m delighted that their valuable contribution to local communities is being recognised.”
“I would also like to congratulate Irene on her 41 years of service to the borough.”
If you are interested in becoming a school crossing patrol officer in North Tyneside, please contact Juleen Brown, email: juleen.brown@capita.com
