Catherine hangs up lollipop stick after 37 years keeping Maltby children safe

A LONG-serving lollipop lady has hung up her stick for good after 37 years on the road.
Catherine Andrews just before she retired. 171847-4Catherine Andrews just before she retired. 171847-4
Catherine Andrews just before she retired. 171847-4

Catherine Andrews, who had been keeping Maltby children safe since 1980, called it a day at half-term.

The 64-year-old said she had enjoyed every minute of her time crossing Tickhill Road, adding: “I signed up when I was 27 and it’s just something I’ve carried on doing.

“It’s quite strange now not being out there every morning but I just felt the time was right to retire.

“Absolutely all the children and their parents have been amazing from the very first day until the day I finished.

“With some families I’ve helped three generations across because some of the original pupils are now grandparents.”

Catherine said she had been overwhelmed with the number of gifts pupils presented her with on her last day.

“There were so many bouquets and large boxes of chocolates I was glad my daughter was there to help carry everything.

“I knew there would be a few presents because the school had an assembly for me and gave me a proper send-off.

“I cried more in those few days than I have in my life.”

Catherine, who lives just two minutes up the road on Tickhill Road, was keen to reassure parents her absence would not make the roads any more dangerous, with three people having applied for the crossing patrol job already.

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