New Ferry’s ‘Dancing Lollipop Lady’ retires after 13 years

Kath Brown, known as the ‘Dancing Lollipop Lady’, has been working on the junction of New Ferry Road and New Chester Road in New Ferry for more than a decade.

Now, the 69-year-old has hung up her fluorescent jacket and handed back her warning sign for the last time.

Kath Brown has been a lollipop lady for 13 years (Image: Kath Brown)

Speaking of her retirement, Kath told the Globe: “I am really sad about retiring. I’ve shed more than a few tears.

“I wouldn’t have retired if it wasn’t for the arthritis. I just couldn’t stand there in the cold anymore.

“I’d have carried on forever if this knee hadn’t given up on me!”

Before taking up the post as a crossing guard, Kath worked as a teaching assistant at Grove Street Primary School.

Kath Brown, known as the ‘Dancing Lollipop Lady’, has been working on the junction of New Ferry Road and New Chester Road in New Ferry for more than a decade (Image: Kath Brown)

She said: “While I was working in the school, I was looking for some extra money and the post for a lollipop lady came up and one of the girls said to me that I should go for it because I love the kids, so I went for it and ended up getting it.”

During her role as a lollipop lady, Kath has been known for dancing and singing to the music of car radios who stop at the crossing.

Her love of the job has also landed her featuring in multiple adverts including car brand, Citron as well as viral TikToks used for Wirral Council’s recruitment.

In 2014, a campaign was launched by the community called ‘Save Kath Our Lollipop Lady From Cuts’ as a result of Wirral Council’s budget cuts which proposed to cut 41 crossing patrols.

Hundreds of local people signed the petition while local businesses displayed banners in support of Kath.

Save Our Kath banner (Image: 'SAVE KATH' Facebook page)

She said: “It’s such a rewarding job. Especially with the kids. I love the kids and I know they love me as well.

“I’m always getting hugs from them and lots of presents. The bigger kids always come back to see me. It’s lovely.

Kath said her favourite part about the job was the children she met (Image: Kath Brown)

“I still see some of the kids whenever I’m out and about. I was in Aldi the other day and a big gang of them came running up to me. People in New Ferry are really lovely people.

“There are loads of things I loved about being a lollipop lady it’s a community thing it’s not just about the kids it’s about all the people I’ve met along the way. I’ve met some lovely people who I’ve helped cross the road including deaf, blind, and infirm people. I like to think I’ve made a difference.”