Stop, look and listen! We've got a new lollipop lady outside school

A primary school has welcomed the arrival of a new lollipop lady following a long-running campaign to find a replacement. more

Worried parent Louise Sedgwick organised the campaign to find a crossing warden following an accident outside Butts Primary School, in Teddesley Street, Walsall, in December last year.

The child was fortunately unhurt but Mrs Sedgwick recognised the need to find a replacement quickly, after the previous crossing warden had retired due to ill health.

New crossing lady, Angela Shepherd, started her position at the school last week (November 2).

Headteacher, Angela Hill, expressed her happiness at the school now being able to ensure child safety when crossing the road.

"The appointment of this new crossing warden to help the Butts primary school children cross Teddesley Street safely every day is great news," she said.

"It is such an important job and we welcome our new warden to this vital role."

St Matthews Ward Councillor, Mohammed Arif, worked alongside the school to find a replacement with Walsall Council.

Mrs Hill added: "Councillor Mohammed Arif has been of great help in helping to expedite the recruitment checking process and keeping the concerned school community updated on the progress at all times."

A replacement lollipop warden was originally found in March, but resigned in June.

Walsall Council then worked with the school to advertise the position.

Speaking on the new appointment of Mrs Shepherd, Councillor Arif, said: "I am delighted for the school community and we welcome Angela.

"The recruitment process has taken longer because it is difficult to attract school crossing wardens.

"But Walsall Council is always looking for school crossing wardens and I urge people interested to contact our operations manager, Bill Gwilt, on 01922 652544."

In June last year Walsall Council was criticised when proposals were unveiled to stop funding for almost half of school lollipop men and women.

The move was intended to save £85,000 a year.

But parents and opposition councillors stepped in over fear that children's lives could be put at risk if lollipop men and women were to disappear.

The council then announced it was to take on 15 new lollipop men and women just months after the proposed axe.

At the time, up to 39 schools faced losing their warden unless they paid for the service themselves.

But the authority vowed to continue funding all lollipop men and women following protests from schools and parents, as fears were heightened that a child could be seriously injured or killed.

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