BERYL Thompson is estimated to have shown up to a million

children across the road during the 41 years she has been a

lollipop lady.

She is the city's longest-serving crossing patrol and has

been awarded the MBE for her services to the community in

Chaddesden.

But the 75-year-old, who patrols Wood Road and Chaddesden

Lane, has decided it is time to hang up her yellow reflective

jacket, hat and lollipop stick because of problems with her

knee.

And she has spent most her time this week saying goodbye to

parents and children from Cavendish Close infant and junior

schools, Chaddesden Park infant and junior schools and Lees

Brook Community Sports College.

Mrs Thompson said she was not sure what she wanted to do in

her retirement.

She said: “I am finishing mainly because I have had a bad

knee since Easter. Otherwise I would have carried on.

“I think you have to like being outdoors to do this job,

because there can be some atrocious weather some days.

“But I have always enjoyed meeting people and I will miss

everyone.”

She added that the amount of traffic on the roads had

increased since she started her job.

Last year, Mrs Thompson received a long-service award from

Derby City Council for her work and today she will be presented

with a card and flowers by the Mayor, Councillor Barbara

Jackson, at a reception in the city's Council House.

Joining her at the event to mark her retirement will be

other Derby school crossing patrols, council officers and

members of her family.

But yesterday, it was left to parents and children to say

goodbye to the lady who has been an almost permanent fixture

for children who now cross with children and grandchildren of

their own.

Grandmother Patricia Slater, 75, of Chaddesden Lane, has

been picking up her grandson Kyle McKenzie, 11, from school

regularly.

She said: “It is sad to see Mrs Thompson go, as she has been

someone I can talk to.”

Teaching assistant and mum Anne Hodgkinson, 44, of Rupert

Road, did not think crossing the road would be as jolly without

Beryl.

She said: “I've known her for 14 years and she always has

time for you.”

Her daughter Megan, eight, said: “She always takes care of

me. I have brought her some flowers to say goodbye.”

Mrs Thompson's daughter, Avis Morley, 45, watched as her mum

carried out her final duties.

She said: “I remember watching her out of the window with my

dad on her first day.

“I was just four then so I thought I should come on her last

day too.

“I am very proud of my mum's long service and I know she

will be missed by everyone. She will finally get a lie-in.”

Amber Stafford, Mrs Thompson's supervisor, also paid

tribute.

She said: “Beryl has served us for years. She's part of the

fixtures and fittings.”

Fittingly, Mrs Thompson received her MBE from the Queen in

the same year in which the national school crossing patrol

service celebrated its 50th anniversary.

Parent Keeley Tassi, 32, said she and her daughters,

Rhianna, seven, and Yasmin, five, would miss Mrs Thompson.

“She does a good job, as it can get busy on this road,” she

said. “We will miss her a lot.”

Fellow parent Sarah Barradell, 23, has been crossing with

her daughter, Aaliyah Lowe, five, for two years.

She said: “We cross with her most days. She is always very

polite and always says good morning. She will be missed by

everyone.”

Also bidding farewell is Michael Crane, head teacher at the

county's largest school – John Port School, in Etwall.

Mr Crane retires after 40 years in teaching, with 14 years

of those spent as head at John Port, which has more than 2,000

pupils.

His experience over the years has been in many different

types of school, including secondary modern, grammar and

comprehensive.

He was appointed to a deputy headship at John Taylor High

School in Staffordshire, before becoming head at Rawlett

School, in Tamworth, and then John Port.

In recent years, Mr Crane has been a research fellow and

consultant head teacher for the National College for School

Leadership, which is in Nottingham.

He said: “I have very much enjoyed my time at John Port and

take with me some wonderful memories of the staff and pupils

with whom I have worked.

“It has been very rewarding to see the school develop to

provide a first-class education for the community.

“I leave behind a dedicated and hardworking staff and board

of governors who are more than capable of taking the school on

to the next stage.”

Mr Crane received gifts and cards from staff and pupils at

the school during an end-of-term assembly and has begun

planning his retirement.

He said: “I will be spending my time digging in the garden,

spending time with my family and watching old western

films.”

Glynis Sherratt, Sawley Infant School's head teacher for 16

years, has bowed out with a celebration party, laid on by her

staff.

Her 32-year career has seen her teaching at several schools

in Derbyshire, including Shardlow Primary School, Boulton

Infant School and Fairmeadows Primary and Newhall Infant.

Mrs Sherratt, who was educated at Parkfields Cedars School

and Bishop Lonsdale College, both in Derby, said she was

leaving her job with mixed emotions.

She said: “I am sorry to say goodbye but I am looking

forward to the challenge of a new life, which includes

renovating a house and garden in the Derbyshire

countryside.

“I have seen many changes over the years but I think the

most positive has been the improvement in the career structure

of teaching, particularly for women.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here and feel I am

leaving the school in a very strong position.”