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School celebrates 'legend' lollipop lady's 70th

Paul O’Gorman
BBC News, Lancashire
Reporting fromBurnley
BBC A headshot of Carol Hawke, smiling in her yellow lollipop lady uniform and holding the stop sign.BBC
Carol Hawke has seen generations of schoolchildren grow up and become parents

A lollipop lady who has clocked up 20 years of service says the role is "dangerous but I love my job".

Ahead of her 70th birthday, Carol Hawke has been described as a "complete legend" by staff at Rosewood Primary in Burnley.

They have been celebrating her contribution to the school, where head teacher Nerys Ditchburn Hughes said: "She's so reliable - she knows every child's name."

Ms Hawke, who also has 27 great-grandchildren, described the students as "like my own children" and has watched generations grow up and become parents themselves.

Ms Ditchburn Hughes said the crossing colossus interacts with pupils "in such a way that they know if there's ever an issue they can come to Carol and she is really, really kind to them".

Carol explained: "I know the children's parents and grandmas. I remember the children when they were so small and now they're going to high school.

"I've worked all my life and this has been my best job - working with children."

Carol Hawke wearing a red 70 badge in her yellow uniform and with her stop sign. She is surrounded by four school children and the head teacher for a group shot.
Pupils have been celebrating Carol Hawke's contribution as she turns 70

Despite her joy in the job, Carol has noticed more drivers speeding and was nearly hit by a car on at least one occasion.

She managed to step back in time "otherwise it would have gone into me", she recalls.

Despite the risks, she says: "As long as I can go on, I will go on. I don't want to retire."

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