Welcome to Road Safety Wales
3/6/08
Helping your child cross the road to safety is just one of the essential services School Crossing Patrol Staff provide in Rhondda Cynon Taf.
To celebrate the major contribution they make to road safety throughout the county borough, Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council held its first School Crossing Patrol Awards to recognise individual achievements.
PEOPLE’S PATROL: The Schools Crossing Patrol Award Winners for 2008
Staff were congratulated for long and committed service to their job over many years, while others were thanked for their work above and beyond the call of duty. Some had arranged for cycle courses to be implemented at the schools while others had also helped improve road safety education generally to children.
WELL DONE: Paula Davies from Penpych Primary School receiving her award from Derek Bateman, Chairperson of Rhondda Cynon Taf Crime Reduction Association.
Paula Davies at Penpych Primary School in Blaenrhondda was recognised for her 13 years in the post where she was involved in road safety education and also arranged cycle courses in five local schools Michael Boxer of Comin Infants & Junior School in Trecynon was congratulated for his 24 years in the post.
SAFETY FIRST: Angela Swannack, has spent 24 years atFerndale Infants School
The longest serving patrol in the Rhondda, was thanked for her work over 24 years at Ferndale Infants School and also for her commitment to arrange cycle courses at Darren Park Primary School.
CONGRATULATIONS: Christine Beechey was recognised for 31 years service to Carnetown Primary School in Abercynon. She received her award from Mike Jacklin, Chairperson of Cynon Valley Crime Prevention Association.
MANY THANKS: Ann Holly, the longest-service School Crossing Patrol in the Taff area was thanked for her 32-years unstinting service to Pontyclun Primary School
DEDICATED: Jean Harris was thanked on her retirement following 25 years at Aberdare Town Church in Wales School
The awards were sponsored by Rhondda Cynon Taf Crime Reduction Association and Cynon Valley Crime Prevention Association. Mike Jacklin, Chairperson of Cynon Valley Crime Prevention Association Presented awards to patrol officers in his area and Derek Bateman, Chairperson of Rhondda Cynon Taf Crime Reduction Association presented awards to the Rhondda and Taff Ely officers.
HONOUR: Sylvia John was congratulated on her retirement following 19 years at Carnetown Primary School in Abercynon
The Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport and Customer Care Cllr Andrew Morgan said: “I fully applaud the School Crossing Patrol Award for celebrating the enormous contribution officers make to their individual communities by ensuring the safety of our children.
“School Crossing Patrol Officers have a very important role to play, not only by assisting children to cross the road, but in their commitment to improving road safety awareness generally and for the contribution they make to introducing new schemes such as cycle courses.
“The Council congratulates all those concerned on behalf of all the parents, teachers and of course children themselves for their dedicated service.”
9/10/07
Having served her community for more than 30 years as a School Crossing Patrol, Vera Grey, who helps the pupils of Ysgol Maenofferen, Blaenau Ffestiniog to cross the road safely to school has been awarded the Road Safety Wales School Crossing Patrol Award.
Despite difficulty in some areas to recruit new patrols, many in Gwynedd stay in the role for a number of years. Vera Grey has been dedicated to her post for almost 33 years, absent just 5-and-a-half days in that period.
Vera’s devotion to the job has seen her help generations of children to cross the roads in the Blaenau Ffestiniog over the years, today Vera crosses the grandchildren of the first school children that she helped across the road back in 1974. Indeed one of the school children she helped cross the road was Paula Owen, who is now a Road Safety Officer with Gwynedd Council herself.
Gwynedd Council Chair, Meinir Owen congratulated Vera Grey on her recent achievement:
“Having undertaken this important role for over 30 years, Vera has helped generations of schoolchildren in the Blaenau Ffestiniog area to safely cross the road to school. Many congratulations to her on this wonderful achievement.
“The lollipop men and women of Gwynedd undertake a very important role throughout the county, by ensuring the safety of children as they walk to and from school each day, as well as promoting road safety amongst pupils and motorists.”
Vera is one of 70 School Crossing Patrols currently employed by Gwynedd Council at various locations across the county. She was nominated for the award by Ysgol Maenofferen Headteacher, Merfyn Jones.
“It was a real surprise to win the award – it came right out of the blue. I really enjoy the work, it’s wonderful to see the children every day can and I hope to carry on for as long as I can,” said Vera Grey on receiving the Road Safety Wales School Crossing Patrol Award.
“I started off as cover for someone who was going on a fortnight’s holiday – that was back in December 1974. It’s been a long fortnight but I love doing the job, it’s a real joy,” she added.
Vera Grey was presented with the Road Safety Wales School Crossing Patrol Award at the national conference recently staged at the Celtic Royal Hotel in Caernarfon.
12/2/07
School crossing patrols have been congratulated for their hard work in helping thousands of Swansea schoolchildren cross busy roads.
The men and women, more commonly referred to as 'lollipop' men and women have been recognised for their efforts at a special ceremony organised by Swansea Council's Road Safety Team. During the event a number of patrols were presented with awards for their dedication and hard work.
Frank Quin, who has been patrolling at Oystermouth Primary School for the past eleven years, picked up the 'Patrol of the Year' Award. Mr Quin said, "I've always enjoyed looking after children. I'm overwhelmed with the award. Its come right out of the blue. We play an important role helping young children cross the road safely. This gives me great job satisfaction knowing I'm helping my local community."
Mr Quin regularly receives praise from parents and local ward members for his efforts to help young school children across roads safely. His efforts to help his community have also led to comments from Swansea's highest-ranking police officer Chief Superintendant Mel Jehu. The now retired Mr Jehu congratulated Frank on his work within the community. he said, "Your efforts within the community are valued and go a long way in making Swansea a safer place for all to both live and enjoy."
John Hague Cabinet Member for the Environment in Swansea Council said, "School crossing patrol officers provide an extremely valuable and important role within the community assisting children across roads to and from school.
"These awards are simply to recognise the excellent work they do and to thank them on behalf of all the parents and children in Swansea."
25/1/08
A woman, who uses two working roles with the Vale of Glamorgan Council to promote the road safety message to youngsters, has won the authority's School Crossing Patrol of the Year Award. In her quiet and unassuming way, Alex Daw has helped children cross the busy Ham Lane East outside Llantwit Major Comprehensive School and Llanilltud Fawr Primary School for nearly five years. And she also works as a dinner lady.
"A deserved winner," said Cllr Chris Williams, Vale cabinet member for planning and transportation, who hosted the annual awards ceremony that recognises the continuing high standards achieved by "lollipop ladies and gentlemen."
Thanking the "dedicated members of the service" for their work, Cllr Williams said: "I'm sure we are all aware of the importance and, indeed, the difficulties of their daily duties in ensuring the safety of the thousands of pedestrians crossing roads across the Vale. "Despite enduring the worst of weather at times, and the unpredictable behaviour of motorists, they carry out this role with an enviable professionalism and always a smile."
Several area awards were also presented to officers whose efforts were particularly appreciated over the last 12 months:
• Llantwit Major, St Athan and Rhws - Alison Richardson, a junior road safety officer champion who is very pro-active with road safety initiatives at Eagleswell Primary School, Llantwit.
• Barry West (Buttrills, High Street and Romilly areas) - Melanie Richardson who also gives her free time to visit St Helen’s Junior School on Tynewydd Roa. And is always requesting goodies for new initiatives.
• Barry East (Cadoxton, Colcot and Holton areas) - Tony Masters is the only Vale officer based in a 40mph area (Port Road West) but always has a smile.
• Penarth, Sully and Dinas Powys - Margaret Regan, now handling an upgraded crossing point outside Victoria Primary School, Penarth, and very much part of the school community.
There was also a special award for Pam Griffiths, of High Street Primary School and Ysgol Sant Baruc in Barry, who is retiring after nearly 30 years' service. Pam joined service under the former South Glamorgan Council in 1978 and has continued under the auspices of the Vale. A valued member of the school community and road safety team, Pam has finally decided to retire, preferring now to spend her time in sunnier climes or cruising.
