Road safety awards 2011

Published 29 December 2011

The dedication of people who ensure the safety of children on the roads in the Vale of Glamorgan, has been recognised.

The Vale of Glamorgan Council paid tribute to its school crossing patrols and volunteers involved with the child pedestrian training scheme, Kerbcraft, were thanked for their work.

Their professionalism and enthusiasm in providing safe crossing points and equipping children with skills to stay safe, in the Kerbcraft scheme, over the past 12 months was rewarded in a ceremony held in Barry.

The school crossing patrol of the year award went to Jean Hatter, who has been a stalwart of the service since 1998.

For Kerbcraft, Elizabeth Matthews, was the standout volunteer, who has worked above and beyond the call of duty for several years, sometimes at both All Saints and Jenner Park Primary Schools in Barry.

Other area winners were Helen Wilkinson, from Eagleswell Primary School, for the Llantwit Major and rural Vale area, who in her dual role as dinner lady and school crossing patrol is an important part of the school community.

For the Barry Area, mobile officer, Katie Coates was mentioned for spending most of the past year covering St Helen’s Infants and Ysgol Sant Curig.

Katie has worked as a school crossing patrol for almost 15 years.

For Penarth, Sully and Dinas Powys, Elaine Storey, had helped pupils from a variety of schools in Penarth on Redlands Road. With nearly 12 years of service to her name, she has always been creative and innovative with ideas to support her role.

Head of planning and transportation, Rob Thomas, paid tribute to both services.

He said: "The success of any scheme relies upon the commitment and dedication of the individuals involved, be it on a voluntary basis or in a paid role. To remain enthusiastic and continue to smile while standing in the pouring rain takes a very dedicated individual."

Since its launch in Wales in 2002, child pedestrian training has involved almost 4,000 children in the Vale of Glamorgan alone.

A presentation was also made to the winners of the Road Safety Christmas Card Competition, which had more than 300 entries.

The overall winner was Robyn Walters from St Andrews Major School, Dinas Powys, with Gen Pipps of Llandough and Tyler Carter of Cadoxton as runners-up.