A retired lollipop lady who helped generations of children cross the road in Nidderdale has been awarded a British Empire Medal for services to child road safety.
Mary Fisher is one of 83 recipients in Yorkshire and the Humber named in the King’s New Year’s Honours List, which will be published in full later.
Mary, 88, was persuaded by a local policeman to start work as a lollipop lady outside Summerbridge Community Primary School in 1975.
She stayed in post for 47 years, carrying out 18,000 morning and afternoon patrols, before finally retiring last December.
The school paid tribute on Mary’s final day.
During that time, she got to know all the children’s names and saw many of them return years later with children of their own.
Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said:
“Everyone from Yorkshire receiving honour today represents the best in British communities.
“I send my warmest congratulations to this year’s recipients, all of whom are incredibly deserving for what they have achieved.
“If you know someone in your community who has done something extraordinary, nominate them for an honour so together we can recognise what they have achieved.”
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:
“The New Year’s Honours list recognises the exceptional achievements of people across the country and those who have shown the highest commitment to selflessness and compassion.
“To all honourees, you are the pride of this country and an inspiration to us all.”
Read more:
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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:
“She’s one of those lovely, selfless people who believes in being kind.”
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:
“I love being outside and active as well. I have to be out and about rather than sat inside. Not a day goes by where I think I don’t want to get up today and do it.”
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Mary, 87, retires after 47 years and 18,000 shifts as a lollipop woman in Summerbridge
A Nidderdale lollipop woman is set to retire after 47 years of helping children cross the road.
Mary Fisher, 87, is North Yorkshire’s longest-serving lollipop woman.
She has supervised generations of children crossing the busy Pateley Bridge to Harrogate road outside Summerbridge Community Primary School since 1975 — the year the Vietnam war ended, Margaret Thatcher became leader of the Conservative Party and Leeds United were beaten in the final of the European Cup.
Now, after 18,000 morning and afternoon patrols involving thousands of children, she has decided to retire. Her last day is due to be December 16.
Nick Coates, executive headteacher of Darley and Summerbridge Community Primary School Federation, said:
“Mary will still be a regular visitor to school but in a guest capacity rather than a working role and is going spend her retirement taking it easy, gardening, baking with the odd bit of knitting thrown in.
“We wish her all the best and of course, it goes without saying, all our love.”
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Mary came to North Yorkshire in 1954 with her husband Jim, and soon became firmly embedded within the local community.
In 1956 the couple moved to Summerbridge, where Mary worked at New York Mill and Jim worked in the building trade.
Over the next decade or so Mary and Jim raised their four children, all of whom attended the school. It was at this point that Mary’s relationship with the school really began.
Bringing the children to school everyday, it was soon noticed by the local ‘bobby’ that Mary would make a great lollipop lady and despite initial reluctance, she eventually agreed.
Two years ago, when she celebrated her milestone of 45 years, she said:
“One of the best parts of the job is that everyone recognises you – everyone always waves at me.
“I love being outside and active as well. I have to be out and about rather than sat inside. Not a day goes by where I think I don’t want to get up today and do it.”
Now, after 47 years and five headteachers, she has finally decided to call it a day.
Is Mary the Harrogate district’s longest-serving lollipop woman?
An 85-year-old lollipop woman in Summerbridge has celebrated her 45th year of helping children cross the road.
Mary Fisher has helped three generations of children at Summerbridge Community Primary School.
She took up the role in 1975, when Harold Wilson was Prime Minister and Leeds United reached the final of the European Cup, and has been excited by it ever since. She said:
“One of the best parts of the job is that everyone recognises you – everyone always waves at me.
“I love being outside and active as well. I have to be out and about rather than sat inside. Not a day goes by where I think I don’t want to get up today and do it.”
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Ms Fisher worked as a carer for more than 30 years before retiring in her 60s.
“I’d get up in the morning and go to my caring job, before coming back and getting changed and going out to be a crossing lady. I did that for many years and I enjoyed it.
“The community thinks the world of us lollipop ladies and the job we do and every day is different and every day is happy.”
Nick Coates, headteacher at the school, said Ms Fisher was “a treasured member of our community for generations” who had “ensured the safe crossing of the busy road for hundreds of children”. He added:
“Not only does Mary ensure that everyone is safe, but she always has a kind word for the children and a wise word for the parents, many of whom she has known for all of their lives, too.”