Police tell drivers to stop abusing Harrogate lollipop man

North Yorkshire Police has urged motorists to stop abusing the lollipop man at Richard Taylor Church of England Primary School in Harrogate.

The lollipop man helps children cross the busy Bilton Lane outside the school.

But following a visit yesterday, police said in a statement:

“We have had reports of anti-social driving with drivers being abusive towards, and failing to adhere to the lollipop man outside Richard Taylor primary school.

“The school crossing patrol is there to ensure the safety of children crossing the road and failure to adhere to a stop sign outside of a school could result in penalty points and a fine.”


During their visit to Bilton, police speed cameras detected 15 vehicles travelling in excess of the 20 mph limit during a 30-minute check at school arriving time.

The statement added:

“We will be back in the area and continue enforcing to help tackle the issue.”

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Harrogate school invites ex-pupils to 50-year landmark carol service

One of the Harrogate district’s oldest primary schools is celebrating 50 years on its current site with a special carol service. 

Richard Taylor School was founded as Bilton Endowed School by Richard and Francis Taylor in 1785 and moved to its present location on Bilton Lane in 1973, changing its name in the process. 

To mark that event, the Church of England school will be holding a number of events, starting with a carol service at St John’s Church in Bilton on December 11. 

Andrew Symonds, headteacher of Richard Taylor School, told the Stray Ferret: 

“A lot of children have been educated here over the last half-century – we even have some pupils whose grandchildren went to Bilton Endowed School – and we’re hoping that as many of them as possible will come back and help us celebrate, as well as former parents, staff and governors. 

“St John’s is quite a large church, but we hope to fill it. We’ll be singing a lot of the old songs they used to sing when they were here, and there’ll be refreshments afterwards, with a warm and open welcome to all.” 

He said there were also plans to hold a musical concert in the spring term of 2024, as well as photographic exhibition that will include images lent by ex-pupils. He said: 

“We hope as many people as possible who have been a part of Richard Taylor School will come forward with their photos. There’s a lot of celebrate, and we’re sure there are a lot of ex-students who want to help us celebrate it.” 

Richard Taylor School’s 50th anniversary carol service will be held at St John’s Church at 6.30pm on Monday, December 11.

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