Lollipop ladies mark 40 years at Sunnylands

Carol McMaster and Ann Curry have been crossing patrol officers at the school for the past 40 years.

Last week, both women were invited to mark the milestone at the Mayor’s Parlour in Carrickfergus.

Carol and Ann took up the roles in 1975 and 1976 respectively, sharing the duties of escorting pupils throughout the school day.

During their long tenure at the school, both ladies have seen generations of the same family come and go.

“Nowadays you see parents dropping their kids off and you remember their faces from when they were pupils themselves,” said Carol.

“At a time we would have had kids coming to the school from Castlemara and Glenfield; they had to get a bus home so we’d read stories to them at the bus stop to keep them amused.”

The role also meant the two women could keep an eye on their own families, with Carol and Ann’s children all former pupils of Sunnylands. “It was great as it meant you were off when they were,” Carol added.

And although health concerns mean Ann will be taking a step back from the role, she says she will “miss it terribly”.

“I’ll always have great memories of being here,” she said.

Paying tribute to their contribution over the years was Sunnylands principal, Gareth Hamilton: “Ann and Carol have been dedicated members of staff looking after many generations of pupils at Sunnylands PS. We value their reliability, humour, knowledge of the weather and the major part they continue to play within the wider Sunnylands community.”