Concerned group of volunteers take on lollipop lady role

A GROUP of concerned women have spent the last seven months volunteering as lollipop ladies at a busy school crossroads after the council struggled to fill the role.

Grandmother Beverley Richards and friend Heidi Mills decided to take up the position in Gilfach Goch after their concerns for the school children’s safety.

A rotating group of volunteers grew and they have manned the position near the Abercerdin Primary School every weekday morning and afternoon to help children and parents across the road.

Beverley, 49, from Gilfach, said: “We’ve been doing it for the last seven months. It’s a busy four-way crossing.

“We decided to take it into our own hands, and we made our own lollipop lady sticks and bought hi-vis vests.

“The council have said they’ve got someone new to start next month, but it’s ridiculous it’s taken this long.”

Beverley said that the cross roads of Abercerdin Road, Kenry Street and Coronation Road is often busy and a lollipop lady or man is needed.

Beverly, whose granddaughter attends the school, said: “I’d say there’s about 70 cars around there in the morning. It’s a danger zone.

“We start at about 8.15am to 9.15am to make sure that all of the children are in school, and then we go back

“There’s always two of us, and we’re all lit up with our high-vis so people can see us.

“All of the parents at the school really doing.”

A Bridgend Council spokesman said that the previous lollipop woman retired in September last year after 20 years of service.

He added: “Recruiting new school crossing patrol officers can often prove difficult, due to the limited hours of work combined with the split shifts that they are required to work.

“However, after a recent recruitment drive, several applications were received for the Abercerdin position and we are pleased to confirm that a suitable candidate has been offered the role and will begin their duty in the next month, assisting parents and children at the crossroads.

“In the meantime, we do not advise parents to act as unofficial lollipop ladies, taking it into their own hands to stop traffic.” appreciate what we’re