Praise for lollipop wardens at Birmingham council house reception

Mar 31 2008 By Paul Bradley

LOLLIPOP men and women have been officially thanked for their tireless work keeping children safe in a formal reception by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham.

Hundreds of crossing patrol wardens from across the city were invited to the Town Hall to meet each other after Birmingham Lord Mayor Coun Randal Brew decided they deserved official recognition from the council.

Among the army of lifesavers was Brenda Mann, who helped kick off the Birmingham Mail Keep Our Kids Safe campaign to persuade readers to put themselves forward for the dozens of job vacancies across the city.

The 78-year-old stalwart has been crossing children on the busy Bunbury Road, in Northfield, for more than 40 years.

Addressing a packed Banqueting Suite at the Town Hall, Coun Brew said: "It is amazing to think that the people in this room have been serving the city for hundreds of years between them. "You are all volunteers who do the job because you love children and you care about their safety.

"We are all very proud of you and the job you volunteer to do can only be described as extraordinary.

"Today, on behalf of the city, I say a very big thank you for the work you do and we are delighted to have you here at your Town hall."

The vote of thanks comes just five weeks after the Birmingham Mail's campaign saw dozens of volunteers come forward in a bid to fill more than 130 school crossing sites in the region.

Margaret Sargent, aged 66, who has patrolled Walmley Ash Road for 28 years, said: "We never get to see each other because we work all over the city at the same time.

" It is nice to be here with other people who you know do the same job."