The longest still serving SCP?

Is Muriel Mills BEM, the country’s longest still serving school crossing patrol?

Having spent 48 years 4 months working the same site, she must be a leading contender!

Muriel started working as SCP at the Charles Kingsley Primary School in Eversley, Hampshire in 1955.

She applied for the post because a young girl - a friend of her daughter - was knocked down after school one day and she was worried about the schoolchildren and their safety. Incredibly, since then she has worked at the same point and is now seeing the third generation of some families safely across the road.

She says she has never had any trouble from the children or the drivers. "It all depends how you are with them right from the start," she says.

It is quite clear that the children adore her and throughout the year she receives gifts of all kinds, including flowers, chocolates and Easter eggs.

In 2001 the local council planted a tree close to the children's playground in Muriel's honour.

"She is the epitomy of everything the SCP service stands for in the community, and her level of commitment would be very difficult to equal," says Ernie Sage, Hampshire’s road safety services manager.

Footnote: in this, the 50th anniversary year of the SCP service, is Muriel the longest still serving SCP? If you know otherwise, we would be delighted to hear from you - and to feature other exceptionally long-serving SCPs. Details by email to Nick Rawlings, nrawlings@stennik.com.