Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Lollipop lady Cathy retires
Road safety stalwart helped schoolkids for 40 years
For 30 years beloved lollipop lady Cathy Robertson has served Victoria Primary with great distinction.
In that time, and during an earlier decade spent as a crossing patroller near Golfhill and St Serf ’s schools, Cathy has ensured the safety of thousands of children, won the respect of colleagues and even been awarded a British Empire Medal from the Queen.
But the hard-working 80-year-old has now hung up her lollipop for good as she prepares to enjoy a well-earned retirement.
Cathy has helped two generations of Victoria Primary youngsters to make safe journeys to and from classes since taking up the post in 1987.
She became a lollipop lady 10 years earlier after chatting to a neighbour who did the job.
She said: “It was very suitable for someone who had school-aged children.
“Now there are lots of former pupils who’ve grown up and have children of their own and it’s nice to hear them saying to the children, ‘Cathy was my lollipop lady too’.
“I have enjoyed the job for the last four decades but felt the time was right to call it a day.
“I will miss everyone at the school as they’ve been so kind.
“I am looking forward to my retirement and plan to enjoy every second of it.”
Cathy received her British Empire Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List four years ago “for services to education and to road safety in North Lanarkshire”.
She was accompanied to a presentation ceremony in Hamilton by husband Jim, daughter Fiona and Nisbet Reid, who nominated her.
She told the Advertiser at the time: “My family are all delighted and it’s been lovely to receive congratulations from young people who I knew when they were at school years ago.
“Mr Reid is somebody who I’ve known of for years as people pass me daily when I’m at the crossing point and I’ve got to know them through that.
“One day he asked how I’d got involved in this job and how long I’d been doing it and he felt the number of years should be recognised.
“I went round all the classrooms with the headteacher and let all the pupils see the medal and they’re all very pleased.”
Victoria Primary headteacher Audrey Houston hailed Cathy’s wonderful service to the school and wished her all the best for the future.
She said: “We were delighted to hold a special presentation for Cathy at the school’s leavers’ assembly.
“There were a lot of parents at the event who had Cathy as their lollipop lady and they all spoke very highly of her.
“This was a chance for all of the pupils and staff to say goodbye to Cathy and thank her for the outstanding service she has given to the school.
“Cathy’s British Empire Medal honour was a testament to the job she has done, her hard work, loyalty and kindness.
“Cathy has safely seen thousands of children across the road over the past 30 years and we wish her all the best during her well-earned retirement.”
I have enjoyed the job for the last four decades