A north-east lollipop woman made a triumphant return to work yesterday after winning a national prize.
Pearl Rendall – who works at Kingsford School in Sheddocksley, Aberdeen – was named School Crossing Patroller of the Year at an awards ceremony in Glasgow last week.
The 72-year-old has been a lollipop lady for 35 years and started her patrols in the Northfield area of the city.
Speaking yesterday, she said she never imagined she would win the award.
She said: “I was absolutely thrilled to win the award. I never thought that I would, even though my manager was convinced that I would win.
“I think that all the school crossing patrollers should get an award because are all doing the same job, we are all out in the same kind of weather all year round coping with all the traffic and the children as they come and go from the school.
“I have a great rapport with all the parents and grandparents – many of them have known me for years and it is important that we have a good relationship.
“I have said before that I would keep going and do this for another five years, but I maybe will be able to do it for longer – I have got to be sensible and take it day by day.”
Meanwhile, Stephanie Campbell, a cook-in-charge at Hazlehead School, narrowly missed out on another award, finishing in third place in the National School Cook of the Year category.
The annual awards are organised by Assist FM – who represent facilities managers across the country’s local authorities.