The Cult Of The Fluorescent Yellow Jacket
Wednesday, December 12, 2007 at 10:56AM Look carefully at this photo. Look into the centre of the photo and, in the right light, you may just make out the form of a lollipop lady crossing patrol supervisor.
A lollipop lady has been banned from wearing festive fancy dress because of safety fears. Margaret Russell, 54, has delighted pupils, parents and motorists in Millbrook, Southampton, for two decades as she collects for charity. But after a complaint by two parents, the city council said she could not take children across the road unless she wore her reflective coat.
See? I wasn't lying. She's there. The fact that Mrs Russell has raised thousands of pounds over many years makes no difference of course.
A council spokesman said: "If a crossing patrol supervisor (I wasn't making that bit up either - Pete) does not wear a reflective jacket they are not insured and if hit, the motorist could not be prosecuted."
Really? Are drivers immune from prosecution if the person they run over isn't wearing a magick fluorescent jacket? I don't think so. Let's leave aside the question of how all was fine before two inadequates went screaming to the council. Instead, I suggest that Mrs Russell calls the council's bluff on this. She ought to tell them she does it her way or they can get stuffed. The children of the primary school can then cross the road unsupervised. That would be so much safer.
View Printer Friendly Version
Reader Comments (13)
david vance is a ... (grow up, whoever you are - Pete Moore)
No, he isn't. But the bastard that takes our Colm's name in vain is.
Bah! Humbug :0(
Perhaps she can spray that bag with fluorescent yellow paint.
Good for the council. We need to crack down on this. Its good to see the tax money well spent by our 'team busybody'.
If she calls the councils' bluff she will lose her job.
In fairness the costume also looks like it would restrict movement if an emergency were to happen.
Shame but there it is...
Dawkins is correct - why not just attach some yellow reflector tape to the costume edges or something.
she should break out a prayer rug and pray to Allah in the middle of the street while wearing the full body black garb and see what they would say then....
somhow I think the councel would go silent
How the council officials feel you could fail to miss a tinsely giant christmas pudding in the middle of the road is a mystery...
This is symptomatic of the nanny state imposing 'health & safety' regulations to a ridiculous degree. Time for the backlash!
What was the parents' complaint? Were they worried about their children crossing the road or were they objecting to the "Christmas" element?
Oh I see two parents complained. Well, what Dawkins said, put some reflective bits on the costume... Where's common sense gone?
I am sure that David Vance, if he was commenting would support the council on this.
After all when the issue was Policemen wearing turbans he said "If Sikhs want to serve in the Irish police then they must accept the wearing of the uniform of the Irish Police".
In this case if Margaret Russell wished to be a lollipop lady / crossing patrol supervisor the she should accept the wearing of the uniform of a lollipop lady / crossing patrol supervisor.
FewsOrange
She does accept the wearing of the uniform, or do you think she dresses in that Christmas outfit every day of the year ?
--In this case if Margaret Russell wished to be a lollipop lady / crossing patrol supervisor the she should accept the wearing of the uniform of a lollipop lady / crossing patrol supervisor.--
Completely agree. She can wear that thing when she gets off work.