Parents slam health and safety ban on lollipop lady’s high-five greetings for kids
Sheila Allen, 58, was told she can give pupils only a thumbs-up when helping them cross
AN award-winning lollipop lady has been banned from high-fiving kids over safety fears.
Sheila Allen, 58, was told she must limit greetings to a thumbs-up when helping kids cross.
The popular crossing lady was told to keep her eyes on the road and not to be distracted by the gesture.
Bosses at Vale of Glamorgan Council said they acted after complaints from grumpy drivers that Sheila's high-fiving was causing traffic jams.
Outraged parents have slammed the crackdown by her bosses and are campaigning for Sheila to carry on ‘high-fiving’.
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Mum Lucy Heffernan, 34, said: “It’s ridiculous.
"Some mornings my son cries when I bring him to school because he doesn't like coming - but Sheila can turn his whole morning around with a high five.
"She's a lovely lady - friendly and kind. She knows all the kids and takes her job very seriously."
Amy Milne, 22, who has a four-year-old daughter at the school, said: "My little one loves the high-fives. It's so silly having to explain to her she can't do it anymore.
"Sheila's making crossing the road safely fun and I can't see anything wrong with it.
"All this fuss from the council is more of a distraction than the high fives ever were."
Gran Sheila is a former lollipop lady of the year.
She has been chaperoning kids for more than ten years in Llantwit Major, South Wales.
Vale of Glamorgan Council has gagged her from speaking about the ban. It said it was vital officers avoid distractions.
Children crossing the road yesterday were offering their hand to Sheila but she avoided breaking the rules by keeping one hand on her stick and the other behind her back.
A Facebook campaign has now been launched to back the popular lollipop lady's welcoming gestures.