MBE honour for lollipop lady
Lollipop lady Irene Reid has been awarded an MBE for services to road safety at Longridge CE Primary School
A lollipop lady who has guided her own children, grandchildren and “everyone else’s children” across the road for 43 years has been awarded an MBE.
Irene Reid, of Jeffrey Avenue, Longridge, is among police officers, university staff and civil servants to be honoured in the Queen’s New Year Honours list.
Mrs Reid is a familiar face outside Longridge CE Primary School, Berry Lane, and has been hailed for services to road safety.
She said: “I’m very honoured, obviously, excited, gob smacked.
“It’s been a nightmare keeping it a secret. The letter was so official, strictest confidence.”
Irene also spent 10 years as a volunteer at Longridge Youth and Community Centre, dedicating her time to craft sessions for five to 11 year olds.
She took over from the school’s previous lollipop lady, Margaret Croasdale, 90, more than four decades ago and admits she was unsure about the job at first.
The married great-grandmother-of-one, whose four children and five granddaughters attended the school, said: “The uniform was appalling; it’s improved a lot I must say. But, that was it, I just loved it straight away.
“Every year, you get 30 new little friends with their mums and dads and grannies and grandads.
“I’ll carry on forever, until they wrench the lollipop from my hand.”
In 2003 she was voted the nation’s top lollipop person.
Meanwhile, police sergeant John Rigby, 49, who lives in Walton-le-Dale, has been honoured for services to the police.
The married father-of-two, who has served with Lancashire police for 20 years and the Metropolitan Police for 10 years, said: “I thought, it must be one of those spoof letters.
“It was only when I read it and read it and read it again that I realised it sounded pretty official.”
Margaret Vinten, who founded Derian House Children’s Hospice, Chapel Street, Chorley, nearly 20 years ago was awarded an MBE for voluntary service.
She was the charity’s chairman of the board of trustees until she stepped down earlier this to hand the role to vice chairman and managing director of Moving Works, Georgina Cox.
Mrs Cox said: “We are delighted that the incredible contribution she has made over the past 20 years has been recognised in this way.”
Dawn Stoddard, 47, who lives in Adlington, was honoured for services to further education after being named Learndirect Outstanding Learner of the Year 2010.
She said: “These sorts of things don’t happen to people like me. I’m thrilled to bits but I’m in shock at the moment.”
Grandmother-of-five Mary Kendall, 73, has been honoured for services to the community in Ingleton.
Mrs Kendall, who helps run meals on wheels in the village, said: “I was absolutely gobsmacked. The whole aim of life, as far as the village is concerned, is to try and enhance the quality of life for people.
“I’ve been on the outdoor swimming pool committee for 45 years. I love this village and the people.”
Others to receive MBEs are Dr Ian Geoffrey Smith, founder and global medical director at Synexus, Chorley, for services to health research; Keti Vatcha, administrative assistant at HM Revenue and Customs in Preston; Peter Kellett, a Lancashire Police special inspector; Hazel Sewell, a counsellor at Cedar House, Mount Street, Preston, for voluntary service to mental healthcare; Joanne Elizabeth Johnson for services to bereavement counselling and training in Lancashire; Donald Fletcher for services to the voluntary sector in Preston; Ian Eric Miller for services to Ultralow Temperature Physics at Lancaster University; June Coulson, departmental secretary, Department of Psychology, at Lancaster University; and David Orrell, senior executive officer at the Pension, Disability and Carers Service, Department for Work and Pensions in Preston. A CBE was given to Richard Jones, director of adult social care at Lancashire County Council, and Barbara Evelyn Challinger, from Preston, headteacher at Haslingden High School has an OBE.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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Comments
There are 5 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
andy howard
Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at 04:08 PMFantastic News Irene, Well done!! I first said 'Hello Mrs Reid' in 1970 on my first day of school. It was still 'Hello Mrs Reid' as i took my son to Berry Lane for the first time in 2005. Irene, you truly are an inspiration and a joy to have met. You have served the children of this village with incredible dedication and i am delighted this service has been recognised by others. Your family and friends must be so very proud of you. Once again, Well Done, and Thank You. Andy & Jordan Howard. Glasgow.
judithreid006@yahoo.gr
Monday, January 2, 2012 at 01:51 PMMy Auntie Irene well done, its about time !!! We are all so proud of you.
preston lad
Sunday, January 1, 2012 at 10:03 PMDont know this lady, but its a joy to read that she is being recognised, I saw her on the news and she seems like a breath of fresh air, Good on you Irene, Enjoy your day, it sounds like you deserve it,
johnnyrotten
Saturday, December 31, 2011 at 03:27 PMWhen you read about gangsters and political donors receiving these honours in all the national newspapers, it's great to read about some deserving local champions being recognised like this. Well done to all.
toniandowen
Saturday, December 31, 2011 at 02:54 PMLOVELY LADY, A SMILEY FACE AND THE KIDS LOVE HER.. WELL DONE!
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