Lollypop lady “already missed”

Jul 23, 2010, 14:09pm By Claire Wood

After 30 years, Marilyn Winsdale is leaving her job as lollypop lady at Avenue Junior School.

There are parents at Avenue Junior School who remember Marilyn as their lollipop lady when they went to the school. For 3 decades years she’s stood at the top of Avenue Road in all weathers, every morning and afternoon, seeing children safely across the road.

Marilyn knew most of the 400+ children by name. Her own children came to the school, which is how she got the job: “One day my twins came home and said in assembly the school had asked, did we know anyone who would be the lollipop lady? And they said - our Mum will come and do it. Well, I agreed to do it for a couple of weeks and here we are, 30 years later.”

Marilyn has been forced to give up the job, due to ill health. An operation for womb cancer was followed by news that she has an inoperable tumour: “It’s very boring. There are all these things I can’t do now. I would never have left myself. I would have stayed on forever.”

She was invited into school today to the Year 6 Leaver’s Assembly, giving the school a chance to say thank you for so many years of service. Debbie Dismore, headteacher at the school said: “Marilyn has been a wonderful part of the school community for such a long time. All the children, staff and parents have loved having her as our crossing lady and she’s already missed. We all wish her every happiness in her retirement.”

Ward councillor Adrian Ramsay (Green, Nelson) said: “She’s been a well-known and popular figure around the Avenues for 30 years. I’ve known her for much of that time, when I was at the school myself. Many generations of children and parents have enjoyed her enthusiasm and approach to her work. I’m sure she’ll be missed by everyone and I wish her well in her retirement.”