Top of the lollipops!: Rewarding the 'unsung heroes' of Vale roads (From Barry And District News)
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Top of the lollipops!: Rewarding the 'unsung heroes' of Vale roads
4:00pm Wednesday 9th January 2013 in News
UNSUNG HEROES: School Crossing Patrol Area Winners David Letts (Dinas Powys - left) and Ernie Ling (Cadoxton - right) with John Rogers, Vale Council road safety officer.
THE "unsung heroes and heroines" who guide the Vale’s youngsters safely across our roads twice a day, every day, were named ‘Top of the Lollipops’ at an annual awards presentation in December.
The Vale Road Safety Awards recognise and reward the contribution provided by those working on school crossing patrols throughout the county.
The top award for School Crossing Patrol of the Year was handed to Jane Haines, who patrols Wordsworth Avenue in Penarth.
A worthy winner of the award, described as "one of the quiet, unsung heroines of the lollipop service", Jane is held in high regard by the children and adults of Fairfield Primary School where she has worked on the crossing patrol for almost 10 years.
Other winners included Ernest Ling, who won the award for Barry. Ernie, as he is known to his friends, is a popular member of the Cadoxton School community and a familiar figure at the Victoria Park Crossing where he has worked for more than 11 years.
David Letts was the winner for Penarth, Sully and Dinas Powys. David has worked as a Vale ‘lollipop man’ for nearly nine years and most recently made the move from outside Dinas Powys Infants School to his new crossing point at Murch Junior School where he has already made a great impression with the parents and children there.
Karin Williams was announced as the winner of the rural Vale area award, which comprises of Rhoose, St Athan, Llantwit Major and Cowbridge areas. Karin is very proactive both inside and outside the school where she has worked for more than 10 years. She has a wonderful rapport with the children and parents at Rhws Primary School, and always has a small gathering at her crossing point.
The co-ordinators and volunteers of the Kerbcraft Child Pedestrian Training Scheme were also thanked for another successful year under the guidance of Jayne Jenkins. Kirsten Howe from Barry Island Primary School and Vicky Ahern from Cadoxton Primary School received thankyou presentations on behalf of all volunteers.
Kerbcraft is currently celebrating its tenth anniversary during which time more than 4,000 children in the Vale have received road safety instruction from a dedicated band of more than 200 volunteers.
The winners were treated to a buffet and enjoyed a fun road safety quiz. The Vale Council’s road safety officer and organiser of the awards, John Rogers, said: "Everyone here has played their part in contributing to road safety over the past year in the Vale.
"To those present, and to those who are not here, we thank you all and wish you a very happy New Year. We look forward to working with you again in 2013."
