NEWS Friendly "Lollipop" Man Retires


For 13 years, he’s been a one man traffic calmer at Eltham’s most dangerous junction. SEnine met John Wood before his retirement last month.


He’s


one of Eltham best known characters. Now John


Wood, the crossing patrol man at the corner of Archery Road and Orangery Lane, is laying his lollipop down.


For 13 years John has launched himself into the traffic to keep safe the folk of Eltham C of E School. He’s made friends with everybody, from a “ten month old baby that waves” to him, to the parents and the children he shepherds across two busy roads. He even used to bring real lollipops in for the children.


John’s replacement will have the benefit of a road-humped junction to calm the traffic, installed by Greenwich Council because of fears for pedestrian safety at the junction.


“Traffic has got much worse over the years I patrolled there, with the new


“I can’t go down Eltham High Street without seeing someone I know! My wife keeps asking how everyone knows me” laughs John, “A family even spotted me in the Costa Brava”.


shops opening; most drivers were very understanding and considerate. But I have to admit that, when I got an occasional finger gesture, it was from women!”


Story by Sarah Hayes


Born in Brockley, John has lived all over south east London; Catford, Blackheath and even Ashford in Kent during the war, before settling in Middle Park.


For years, he worked at the main London railway stations for the Post Office. After retiring from there, as well as his lollipop duties, he’s been working at Ruxley Manor garden centre at weekends.


“I’ve been on crossing duty twice every weekday and have seen whole families grow up.”


At 78, John does not seem to be slowing down, still driving himself and his wife around and enjoying the odd holiday, as well as seeing their grandchildren when they can.


“I want to see more of the family, and maybe have a few more holidays”, he said. With six children and six grandchildren, whether he will get a rest isn’t so certain.


Photos by Dawn OConnor http://www.flickr.com/photos/dawnrosie


card theft from cash points. Two men are involved. One loiters close to the cash point while the other distracts the person using it. During the distraction the loitering close man steals the card having already spied the pin number over the persons shoulder.


14


Cash Point Alert Cash Point Alert Police


advise there has been an increase in


Police advise to take special care when using machines around Eltham and to immediately to report anyone acting suspiciously.


These men particularly target the elderly and venerable in the community, so if you see a senior citizen using a cash point with strangers standing a little too close make sure you call the police and


SEnine


stay near or with that person until the police arrive.


In the latest spate, the police are looking for two men 20-40 years old and Asian or black.


Help keep Eltham tidy! Put your litter in bins.


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