Lollipop man Barrie collects award
Wales's favourite lollipop man Barrie Glover, from Spring Gardens, Whitland, has collected his second award in a week and is in the running to become Britain’s Kwik Fit Insurance Lollipop Person of the Year.
Barrie was the first of Carmarthenshire’s 80 schools crossing patrol officer to take the Welsh title and capped an astonishing week being awarded with a special recognition award at the Authority’s Transport Award at Parc y Scarlets, Pemberton.
The national title will be decided next week.
As well as helping children at Whitland Primary School to cross the road for the last three years, Barrie, a sprightly 73, goes beyond the call of duty, helping with school dinners and lending a hand on class trips which he has done for more than 10 years.
Barrie beat cancer to return to school, after the children at the school wrote to him while he was receiving chemotherapy.
Further still, he is a talented artist and as well as painting stunning murals inside the school, he has also run an after-school art class for a whole term.
Barrie says he knows all 120 pupils by their first names and only struggles with his job when the youngest of them wrap themselves round his legs.
Married with a grown up daughter and 14-year-old son, Barrie said: “The school kids are part of my extended family.
He said: “The school is a huge part of my life even top playing the school Santa at Christmastime.”
Headteacher Ann Humphries commented that as soon as her pupils heard about the Kwik Fit Insurance competition, they were desperate to support Barrie all the way - and didn’t even tell him about the competition until a special school assembly held in his honour.
She said: “Barrie is a really important part of our school and we’re absolutely delighted that he’s been chosen as the Kwik Fit Insurance Lollipop Person of the Year 2009 for Wales.
“In his role as a mid-day supervisor, which he still carries out today, he is always ready with a helping hand and the children have a great affection for him.
“He has also undertaken the role of Learning Support Assistant helping children with Special Needs,” explained Mrs. Humphries.
“In his role as our lollipop man, Barrie greets everyone everyday with a cheerful smile, whether it’s sunny, raining or blowing a gale.
“He is always ready with a quick joke and banter to lift your spirits on a wet and miserable day, however, he takes his role very seriously and the safety of the children is paramount to him. He undertakes his reponsibilities diligently and it is very reassuring to all in the school that the children are in safe hands,” she continued.
“Being a lollipop man is not an easy task and not always the motorist’s favourite person, but through conversations and observations you can easily come to the conclusion that Barrie is not only popular and melts the kids hearts in the school school but also in the community,” added Mrs. Humphries.
The search to find the UK’s favourite lollipop person was officially launched by TV personality Lorraine Kelly in September at the iconic zebra crossing on Abbey Road with the aim of highlighting the important role lollipop people play every day to ensure the safety of kids on our roads in communities across Britain.
The pupils of Whitland Primary posted handwritten nomination forms for Barrie, as well as a DVD, artwork and posters highlighting his boundless commitment to the school.
As well as a unique trophy, Barrie will receive a £500 holiday voucher, and the school will be presented with a £100 book token. He will now go through to the grand final with the other 11 regional finalists for the chance to win a holiday of a lifetime and the winning school will be presented with £3,000 to spend on school equipment.
Barrie was the first of Carmarthenshire’s 80 schools crossing patrol officer to take the Welsh title and capped an astonishing week being awarded with a special recognition award at the Authority’s Transport Award at Parc y Scarlets, Pemberton.
The national title will be decided next week.
As well as helping children at Whitland Primary School to cross the road for the last three years, Barrie, a sprightly 73, goes beyond the call of duty, helping with school dinners and lending a hand on class trips which he has done for more than 10 years.
Barrie beat cancer to return to school, after the children at the school wrote to him while he was receiving chemotherapy.
Further still, he is a talented artist and as well as painting stunning murals inside the school, he has also run an after-school art class for a whole term.
Barrie says he knows all 120 pupils by their first names and only struggles with his job when the youngest of them wrap themselves round his legs.
Married with a grown up daughter and 14-year-old son, Barrie said: “The school kids are part of my extended family.
He said: “The school is a huge part of my life even top playing the school Santa at Christmastime.”
Headteacher Ann Humphries commented that as soon as her pupils heard about the Kwik Fit Insurance competition, they were desperate to support Barrie all the way - and didn’t even tell him about the competition until a special school assembly held in his honour.
She said: “Barrie is a really important part of our school and we’re absolutely delighted that he’s been chosen as the Kwik Fit Insurance Lollipop Person of the Year 2009 for Wales.
“In his role as a mid-day supervisor, which he still carries out today, he is always ready with a helping hand and the children have a great affection for him.
“He has also undertaken the role of Learning Support Assistant helping children with Special Needs,” explained Mrs. Humphries.
“In his role as our lollipop man, Barrie greets everyone everyday with a cheerful smile, whether it’s sunny, raining or blowing a gale.
“He is always ready with a quick joke and banter to lift your spirits on a wet and miserable day, however, he takes his role very seriously and the safety of the children is paramount to him. He undertakes his reponsibilities diligently and it is very reassuring to all in the school that the children are in safe hands,” she continued.
“Being a lollipop man is not an easy task and not always the motorist’s favourite person, but through conversations and observations you can easily come to the conclusion that Barrie is not only popular and melts the kids hearts in the school school but also in the community,” added Mrs. Humphries.
The search to find the UK’s favourite lollipop person was officially launched by TV personality Lorraine Kelly in September at the iconic zebra crossing on Abbey Road with the aim of highlighting the important role lollipop people play every day to ensure the safety of kids on our roads in communities across Britain.
The pupils of Whitland Primary posted handwritten nomination forms for Barrie, as well as a DVD, artwork and posters highlighting his boundless commitment to the school.
As well as a unique trophy, Barrie will receive a £500 holiday voucher, and the school will be presented with a £100 book token. He will now go through to the grand final with the other 11 regional finalists for the chance to win a holiday of a lifetime and the winning school will be presented with £3,000 to spend on school equipment.
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