Lollipop lady’s big day

Theresa Andrews, 65, first started at Woodingdean Primary School when her children were at the school.

She was only meant to be filling in when the previous lollipop person left, after much nagging from her daughter.

But 30 years on, she is making sure the next generation of children get to and from the school safely.

She joked yesterday: “They’re still looking for someone to replace me.”

To celebrate Ms Andrews’ anniversary and to say thank you for all her work over the years, teachers and children at the school got together to present her with a bouquet of flowers.

Headteacher Jonathan Whitfield said: “We’re so appreciative that we have someone who cares about the children as much as we do.

“The resilience she’s shown to have done that job for 30 years is phenomenal. The kids love her.”

Over the years, Ms Andrews has helped thousands of children to cross the road. She has worked there so long that some have grown up and had their own children that now attend the primary school.

One of her very first pupils was Michael Hagland, pictured left.

Mr Hagland, 34, now brings his son Leo, eight, to school.

He said: “Our entire family have been to Woodingdean Primary and remember being crossed by Theresa.

“I remember Theresa coming in for assemblies to teach us about road safety.”

While Ms Andrews has loved being in the job for 30 years, it hasn’t always been easy.

Just a few weeks after she started, the south of England was ravaged by the Great Storm. She remembers struggling to hold her lollipop in the severe winds.

It became so difficult she resorted to helping the children cross without it. Despite a few near misses over the years, Ms Andrews shows no sign of slowing down.

She is even hoping to help the grandchildren of her first pupils cross the road. She said: “The children I helped cross 30 years ago are getting to the age where they could soon be grandparents. I’m just waiting to start recognising them too.”