North East Lincolnshire has been proud to be home to the longest serving school crossing patrol person in the country, Beryl Quantrill, 85.
Today (Friday 1 April) marks the day of her final shift patrolling along Queen Mary Avenue in Cleethorpes.
North East Lincolnshire Council and its regeneration partner EQUANS wish Beryl a very happy retirement after 57 years in the job.
Beryl has been helping children safely cross the road since 1964, when she started working for the Grimsby Borough Police as a school crossing patrol at Barcroft School, where she was stationed for 12 years.
Beryl then moved to Queen Mary Avenue Infant and Nursery School in Cleethorpes, where she has been safely ushering children across the road for 45 years. She is well-known by the families who live locally – having helped three generations of some families to cross the road safely.
A much-loved member of the community, Beryl is described as a dedicated and caring individual with a warm, friendly, and helpful character. Students at Queen Mary Avenue Infant and Nursery School and their families have been passing on their good wishes for Beryl’s retirement and have arranged a special concert in the school to say goodbye.
Over the years, Beryl has received a number of awards and recognitions for her service, including being invited to the Queen’s Garden Party twice and turning on the Christmas lights at Freshney Place with Santa.
In celebration of Beryl’s 57 years of service, and to wish her well for her retirement, Beryl’s current employer EQUANS will be holding a short presentation and lunch on Thursday 7 April at the Innovation Centre in Grimsby.
“I love the job,” says Beryl. “I truly believe the reason I am so fit and healthy at my age is because I have spent so much time out and about and walking to work.
“I’m touched by all of the comments and well-wishes that I’ve received. I’ve helped several generations of some families over the years, and I’ve always looked forward to seeing the children every day. I will miss going to school and seeing the kids.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the other school crossing patrols before I retire. There are a couple I have seen almost every day so it will be nice to say goodbye properly before spending my retirement relaxing and seeing more of my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.”
Paul Thorpe, operations director at EQUANS in North East Lincolnshire, added: “We wish Beryl a long and happy retirement after 57 years of service and thank her for her remarkable commitment throughout this time. Beryl has been a pillar of the local community and has helped countless children to make their journeys to and from school safely. We know she will be missed by the children and families at Queen Mary Avenue Infant and Nursery School.”
Share this article