Lollipop man, 83, not allowed to keep uniform

Robert Boyce helped children to cross the road for 23 years

An 83-year-old lollipop man has been told by a council that he cannot keep his uniform as a memento, after he was made redundant in the summer.

Robert Boyce helped children to cross the road as they went to and from Cypress Primary School in South Norwood, south-east London, for more than 20 years.

Reflecting on his time, he said he had made the job his own and hoped to keep the high-visibility coat for sentimental reasons. "I'd like to hold on to it for the memories," he said. "I can't imagine what they would do with it now I've finished."

Croydon Council said it "retains uniforms and other council equipment when staff leave their employment for safeguarding reasons".

'We miss you'

Mr Boyce's job was axed as part of cost-saving measures by the council.

However, as the new term started this month, he went to the junction of Sylvan Hill and Auckland Road near Crystal Palace to wave and smile to children from several local schools as they made their way across the busy road.

With the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) present, families stopped to say "Hello Robert" and "We miss you" as they passed.

Mr Boyce was laid off at the end of the last school term

Hannah Thompson, who was taking her five and seven-year-old children to Cypress primary, told Mr Boyce that they missed seeing him in his distinct red and yellow jacket every day.

Mr Boyce, who said he had no plans to wear his uniform, is asking the council to withdraw its request for him to return it so he can keep it for sentimental reasons.

"There's not much to the job but you make it your own," he said.

The local authority, which previously awarded him a certificate marking his 20 years of public service, said it could not let Mr Boyce keep the uniform, but said it could be donated to the school where he worked.

'Salt in the wound'

Labour mayoral candidate councillor Rowenna Davis wrote to mayor Jason Perry to request that Mr Boyce and five other lollipop staff be allowed to keep their uniforms.

She said: "Robert is absolutely treasured by local children, parents and teachers. He's kept children safe for over 20 years, and this mayor fired him to save peanuts off his broken budget.

"The fact he is demanding Robert's uniform back rubs salt in the wound."

Croydon Council said it "values the work Robert and the other crossing patrol officers have done on behalf of the council".

Road crossing safety is a non-statutory service, meaning the council is under no legal obligation to provide it.