A commemorative bench for June McCombie, a former lollipop lady at Walker Road School, was unveiled at the official opening of Greyhope Community Garden, in the Torry area of Aberdeen, on Friday 11 October 2024.
June helped pupils to safely cross the street for nearly three decades and was loved within the school community at Walker Road. In 2016 she received a community star award for her services as a lollipop lady and for all she did for the Torry community. June sadly passed away in 2021.
Councillor Martin Greig, Convener of the Education and Children’s Services Committee, said: “The commemorative bench is a fitting tribute to June, who was a wonderful example of the great community spirit and friendship that Torry is renowned for.
“The community garden offers everyone in the local area a place to come to relax and enjoy the benefits of quiet contemplation in the heart of the community.”
The new bench, which replaced ‘June’s Bench’ at the former Walker Road School, was installed in the community garden at the entrance of Greyhope School and Community Hub, Tullos Circle.
The pupils of Walker Road School moved to their new £28millon Greyhope School and Community Hub on 1 November 2023.
To mark the unveiling of the commemorative bench and the official opening of the community garden a ribbon was cut by members of June’s family and Primary 7 pupils.
The community event saw a performance by Torry Dancers, poetry readings by Primary 6 and Primary 7 pupils, and singing from Primary 5 pupils.
Ross Watson, head teacher, Greyhope School and former head at Walker Road School, said: “We are pleased that the new commemorative bench for June is now available to our school community and the residents of Torry. As we approach the anniversary of the opening of Greyhope School and Community Hub, this was the ideal time for this special event and to open our community garden for the first time.”
Paula McCombie, June McCombie’s daughter, said: “When our mum passed three years ago, it made my brother and I very proud to see how well thought of she was by pupils and parents from Walker Road School, both past and present, as well as staff and the local community and their buying the bench in her memory.
“Mum loved her job, and particularly the kids. It never ceased to amaze me how she remembered all their names, even years later if she saw them out and about. I’m sure she would have loved the idea of having a bench dedicated to her, watching over the kids at school.
“We are so pleased that the bench has been placed in the community garden of Greyhope School, in succession to Walker Road School, in her name and want to thank everyone involved for making this happen.”
Colin Milne, Framework Director, Morrison Construction - North East, said: “Morrison were delighted to supply and install this new bench in commemoration for the excellent work that June did for the local area.”
The garden will be a space for visitors and community members to relax and enjoy the surroundings at the new school and hub.
Greyhope School and Community Hub was delivered by the Council’s development partner Hub North Scotland with Morrison Construction - North East as main contractor and architects Halliday Fraser Munro.
Morrison’s Construction paid for the bench as part of community engagement funding linked to its delivery of the school and community hub.
Photo: Anne Armstrong (L), June McCombie's sister; and June’s daughter Paula McCombie (R) sit on the commemorative bench dedicated to former lollipop lady June McCombie, located in the newly opened Greyhope Community Garden.