Chester families thank patrol officer after 28 years

By Hiyastar News

Published by hiyastar.co.uk in 2026, based on source material from Cheshire West and Chester Council.

For almost three decades, the school run outside Oldfield Primary School in Great Boughton has had a familiar figure at the crossing point: Pat Markert, the school crossing patrol officer who has helped children get safely across the road for 28 years.

Her service was marked by the school community with a guard of honour, handmade cards and flowers, turning a daily safety role into a public thank-you from the families who have relied on her presence each morning and afternoon.

A guard of honour at Oldfield Primary School

Pupils and staff lined the playground to applaud Pat as she made her way to her crossing point outside the Chester school.

The tribute was simple and local: children forming a guard of honour, staff joining the applause, and parents and grandparents gathering at the school gate to thank her directly. Pupils and staff also presented handmade thank-you cards, while Pat’s family gave her flowers to mark the milestone.

The moment reflected the kind of work that is often noticed most clearly by families who use the same route day after day. A school crossing patrol officer is not just there for one busy morning or a single term. The role depends on consistency, judgement and trust, especially outside primary schools where younger children are still learning road awareness.

Generations of families have relied on Pat Markert

Cheshire West and Chester Council said parents shared heartfelt thanks for the reassurance Pat has provided to families over the years.

At a school gate, that reassurance is practical. It means knowing there is someone in place at the crossing point when traffic is moving, children are arriving in groups and parents are trying to manage the narrow window before the bell.

Pat’s 28 years of service also mean her work has reached more than one generation of pupils. Some of the families thanking her now may have known her from earlier school runs, while newer parents have come to recognise the same steady presence outside Oldfield Primary School.

The council said she has carried out the role with care, reliability and a smile. Those details matter in a setting where the crossing patrol is part of the daily rhythm of a school community rather than a one-off public service.

Why the crossing patrol role matters on the school run

School crossing patrol officers support children and families at some of the busiest points in the day. Outside primary schools, traffic can build quickly as pupils arrive, cars stop and start, and pedestrians move between the pavement, school gates and nearby roads.

The role also supports active travel. When parents feel that a crossing point is supervised, walking to school can feel more manageable, particularly for younger pupils or families who live close enough to avoid driving.

In Great Boughton, Pat’s long service has made that public-safety role personal. The guard of honour was not just a ceremony for years served; it was a visible response from the children, staff and relatives who have seen the work repeated in all weathers across many school terms.

Council praises a daily safety commitment

Rose McArthur, Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Director of Transport and Highways, said school crossing patrol officers play a vital role in keeping children safe and supporting active travel on the school run.

She said the council was grateful to Pat and to all patrols for the work they carry out each day, adding that their dedication helps children walk to school safely even when they need to cross busy roads.

“Congratulations to Pat on this fantastic milestone – and here’s to many more years of service,” McArthur said.

Source: Cheshire West and Chester Council