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19
Dec 2022
Emotional farewell to remarkable Nidderdale lollipop woman Mary Fisher
Pupils past and present turned out in force to bid a fond farewell to North Yorkshire's longest serving lollipop woman.
Mary Fisher has helped generations of schoolchildren cross the busy Pateley Bridge to Harrogate road outside Summerbridge Community Primary School since 1975. After 47 years and about 18,000 shifts, she retired on Friday.
Mary's final patrol took longer than usual as dozens of children and adults turned out to cross the road and give her a hug.
At the school, children lined up to say thank you and give three cheers to the woman who has done so much to serve the community.
One of many hugs for Mary on her last day. Pic: Nevin Ward
Nevin Ward, a former chair of governors at Summerbridge school and near-neighbour of Mary, said Mary never forgot a child's birthday and always gave them a small present. he added:
An online fundraising campaign, set up to raise £100 to buy Mary a present, generated about £1,600.
A vacancy for a lollipop person now exists.
Friday's emotional farewell at the school. Pic: Nevin Ward
Mary and her late husband Jim, who was a chimney sweep and volunteer firefighter, came to North Yorkshire in 1954 and moved to Summerbridge two years later.
They had four children, who all went to Summerbridge school and Mary developed an attachment to the school that eventually saw her become a lollipop woman.
Two years ago, when she celebrated her milestone of 45 years, she said:
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