Dundee’s longest-serving lollipop lady received double honours when she finally hung up her stick after more than 40 years of ushering children in Broughty Ferry safely across the road.
But plucky 83-year-old Helen Black did not rest on her laurels and made her last crossings after two assemblies were held at Forthill Primary in recognition of her services to the school.
Lord Provost John Letford and councillors Ken Guild and Rod Wallace were present as Helen received a cheque and crystal fruit bowl from staff and pupils performed a series of poems and songs in her honour.
Helen admitted that when she started out as a school crossing patroller in August 1970, she had no intention of staying so long.
“I said that if I did it for seven years, that would see my family through school but I really enjoyed it.”
Helen, who lives in Broughty Ferry, has kept a watchful eye over generations of children and has become a familiar and welcome sight outside Forthill Primary, the school she has served for most of her career.
Her dedication earned her an MBE in 1998 and inspired her husband Fred and daughter Freda Doig, who has more than 20 years’ service, to follow in her footsteps.
“I have been told numerous times ‘you crossed my mum or ‘you crossed my daddy’,” said Helen, adding that she suspected she may even have helped some of the grandchildren of her original charges.
“The children and the staff at the school are all really nice,” she said. “I have met so many people and I will miss it a lot.
“It’s been great and I have thoroughly enjoyed it but I don’t want to spend another winter so I think it’s time to go now.”