To the pupils of Denton West End Primary School, Margaret Roebuck was already the best lollipop lady in the land.
But thanks to Michael, Barry and Joanne Doyle, aged ten, nine and five, she had become a contender for the national Ladybird Lollipop of the Year title.
The siblings decided to write to radio and TV presenter Ed ‘Stewpot’ Stewart about the special person who made sure they crossed the road safely to and from school.
They shared their thoughts in a heart-warming rhyme:
‘Black hat, white coat and stick
The best lolly lady is Margaret.
Always smiling, never glum
We trust her like we trust our mum.’
The contest, supported by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), attracted entries from over 30,000 youngsters nationwide.
Margaret, who lived near the school on Balmoral Drive, had been the regular crossing patroller for the past three years, guiding 100 children across the busy junction with Manchester Road each day.
She told the Denton Reporter it was a huge surprise when the letter arrived confirming she was among the finalists: “I couldn’t believe my eyes!”
Margaret said the West End pupils were the real winners when it came to knowing their road safety ‘drill’.
With the ever-growing volume of traffic, she - and the children - needed to be extra vigilant, Margaret adding: “Most drivers are good about stopping, but sometimes my heart is in my mouth when they don’t seem to be bothered.”
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