School crossing service celebrates jubilee

Dudley’s highways boss was also reunited with the school crossing patrol who helped him home from school more than 40 years ago.

Cllr Damian Corfield met Delia the lady who helped him cross the road when he was a schoolboy at Belle Vue Primary School in a touching reunion.

The school crossing patrol service was officially created by the School Crossing Patrol Act in 1953 when the government recognised the value of having a service that helped children cross the road at busy and difficult locations.

In Dudley, the service was operational from 1989 and since then hundreds of school crossing patrols have worked in the borough helping children and young people to and from school safely.

During the event held today (July 12) at Priory Hall, each member of staff was presented with a certificate and commemorative badge.

The school crossing patrol service is run by Dudley Council. Currently there are 35 school crossing patrols working across the borough.

Councillor Andrea Goddard, the Mayor of Dudley, said:

“Our team of school crossing patrols are out in all weathers making sure the borough’s children and young people get to and from school safely.

“They serve at the heart of our communities for our communities. I’m glad I was able to share this moment of celebration with them today and thank them all for their continued efforts.”

Councillor Damian Corfield, cabinet member for highways and environmental services, said:

“Today I got to meet Delia Mills again, the school crossing patrol who helped me cross the road every morning and every afternoon as I made my way to and from school.

“It was an absolute pleasure to thank Delia in person and quite remarkable to think that more than 40 years on she continues to serve.

“Delia is one of several patrols who have decades of service under their belt. They are a credit to this borough, and I thank them all.”