CHRIS Wheadon has safely ferried children and adults across various streets in Essex ever since his retirement four years ago.
The 65-year-old school crossing patrol officer, or lollipop man as he is more commonly known, is just one of hundreds working in the county who are celebrating the service's 60th anniversary.
"I found out about the job from an advert in the Essex Chronicle," said Chris, who started in 2008 after his retirement from the Environment Agency.
"I like meeting new people and being of service to the community, so I thought it would be something I would like to do. I still love doing it."
Rumoured to have originated in St Paul, Minnesota in the 1920s, school crossing patrols now exist everywhere, from Chile to Hong Kong.
Essex is no different with 212 officers dotted around the county, including stationary officers and mobile officers.
Chris is one of the mobile officers, operating as a stand-in at schools in Chelmsford and Maldon.
Unlike the typical lollipop man or lady, Chris' job is much more flexible and spontaneous, due to him being called in to cover areas when a patrol is taken ill or unable to complete their shifts, sometimes at the last minute.
"I cover up to 30 schools with three other mobile officers," explained Chris.
"It's very much happening on an hour to hour basis.
"If a patrol rings one of our supervisors early in the morning and says they aren't feeling well, the supervisor then has to look round and see who is available, what the priority of that particular school is, then make a decision, and then call me before 7am."
Jenna Mattholie, school crossing patrol manager for Essex County Council, helps everything run like clockwork.
She said: "The supervisors provide all training on site initially and on-going, manage absences at sites, support patrols through sickness, manage performance and complaints or compliments, as well as liaising with the police with regards to incidents of failures to stop.
"They also report faults and hazards on or around the working location of the patrol.
"The supervisors are the main point of contact for patrols and are on call the majority of the day."
Chris was keen to emphasise that the supervisors are a key part of the patrolling service.
He said: "I'm very fortunate to have a very good management team and supervisors," said Chris.
"I'm very proud to work for Essex County Council. All of my colleagues are excellent people.
"We all have a laugh but have a huge amount of respect for one another."
But all jobs come with their fair share of difficulties, and it seems that lollipop men and women are no different.
"The weather is a strong negative," said Chris, who joined a special gathering at County Hall on Monday to celebrate the diamond anniversary.
"The pavements can be very dangerous and icy in the winter, that and of course the dangerous drivers.
"Lots of people aren't aware of the 1984 Road Traffic Act and that it is an offence to 'drive through' after a patroller has indicated that they need to stop.
"Nevertheless my job is very rewarding. At the end of the day, you have helped lots of people and children, and helped to keep them safe."
If you want to be the next lollipop man or lady near your local school, apply at www.workingforessex.com.
