Love grows where our lollipop lady Rosemary goes!

Edison Lighthouse sang ’Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)’ - and that’s certainly the case with one of the Council’s school crossing patrol officers - Rosemary “Rosie” Stewart – who has been spreading a little bit of lollipop love in Orkney! 

The outpouring of affection was sparked on social media thanks to a post by Laura Leonard simply saying: “thank you to the Finstown lollipop person – they smile, and wave and it always makes my day.” 

She added: “Lovely to see someone so happy in their work at Orkney Islands Council.” 

A wave of kindness followed with hundreds of comments from others in agreement not just about Rosie, but many other school crossing patrol officers throughout Orkney. 

Rosie has been overwhelmed and humbled by the reaction. She said: “I thought I wasn’t going to be able to work again due to personal health issues, then I found this job – it really is the perfect job; the dream job for me. 

“I feel very humbled at the comments and reactions to Laura’s post. I love keeping the bairns who are our future, safe. Firth Primary School is fabulous, and the entire school community has made me very welcome.” 

Rosie started as a school crossing patrol officer in Finstown in 2023 and says it all started thanks to two ladies who slowed down to wave as they passed her. 

“It made my day that they had waved and they slowed down to do it – so I thought what a great idea – I wave to others in the hope that it brightens their day, but they also may slow down. 

“It has just become a normal part of my day. I wave to everyone driving past and give them a smile. I get lots of toots of the horn, which both myself and the bairns love. I always have a happy face and a kind word for the bairns and adults in the morning – I want them to start off their day on the right foot too. The bairns really do mean the world to me, and they give back to me as much as I hope I give to them. 

“Thank you to everyone from the bottom of my heart for all your waves, smiles and toots – you all make my day brighter.” 

Laura added: “There are so many awful things happening in the wider world that I think it’s important to try and celebrate all that’s positive in our community. When driving home yesterday after a day's work in Stromness, Rosie just made my day, as she always does when passing. I don’t know her but thought it’s so important to acknowledge kindness. I’m so pleased the post was well received, that so many feel the same and were able to let her know. A simple smile and wave can really brighten folks' day - how wonderful is that!” 

The Council’s Chair of the Education, Leisure and Housing Committee, Councillor Gwenda Shearer, said: “What a wonderful example of social media and how it can be used for good and the benefit of others. Rosie, and her work colleagues, are yet another shining example of staff at the Council that really do go the extra mile for those they are looking after. 

“My thanks go to Laura for highlighting what a special lady Rosie is and, of course, to Rosie herself – and all our school crossing patrol officers - who are out no matter the weather, morning and afternoon to make sure our peedie people get to school safely.”