End of the road for long-standing Lesley

TIME to stop: Saddleworth lollipop lady Lesley Shaw has had to call it a day after 20 years protecting children

A MUCH-LOVED lollipop lady has lost her job in the village whose children she has protected for 20 years.

Mother of two Lesley Shaw has made a tearful farewell to children at Greenfield Primary School — and handed in her lollipop stick.

The sprightly 60 year old said: “It’s been a very emotional time. I love my job. I have seen children grow into parents and I’ve been proud to be part of keeping them safe.”

Mrs Shaw was offered the choice of becoming a crossing warden in Delph, Roundthorn or Lees.

“But I don’t drive and I have other personal commitments,” she explained. “I had to turn the jobs down. I was absolutely gutted. My real concern is that traffic in Greenfield seems to be on the increase.” Husband Tony, a lorry driver, said: “Lesley was in tears. Now Chew Valley Road is an accident waiting to happen.”

The Chronicle reported last week how the council wants schools to pay up to £5,377 for the crossing service, provide their own patrols — or simply go without.

Village greengrocer and school crossing campaigner Jill Stanford, volunteered to pay an hour a week towards keeping Mrs Shaw on; other businesses also promised support.

“We have pledges for more than half the cost of funding the job for a year,” she said.

Mike Rooke, secretary of the Greenfield and Grasscroft Residents’ Association, said: “The key player is the school itself. Without will and momentum from the school it’s difficult to inspire a community. We have voted unanimously in support of the principle to keep our crossing patrol wardens. But until more money is raised by the community we are unwilling to commit funds or make up the shortfall.”

Councillor Dave Hibbert said the council’s door “remains firmly open” if a school not funding a crossing patrol this term wishes to reconsider.”

The crossing issue will be raised at a special public meeting chaired by local MP Debbie Abrahams on April 12 at the Satellite Centre, Wellington Road, Greenfield at 1pm.