Bridie Young, MBE in the playground

Bridie Young, parkkeeper extraordinaire

Bridie Young, park keeper
extraordinaire

Bridget Young, a legend in Islington parks, was in charge this winter in the Barnard Park playground.  Working 38 years in Islington parks as a park attendant, Bridie, as she is known by everyone, received an MBE for her outstanding service to children. She keeps the newspaper clipping in her bag which shows the acceptance ceremony where she is photographed in a smart broad brimmed hat.

‘I love children and I wouldn’t let anything happen to them’, says Bridie in the playground hut. In her long career, she has worked in many Islington playgrounds including St Paul’s Shrubbery, Asteys Row, near the bingo hall on Essex Road, and Foxsome Gardens, close to Whittington Park.

Born in Dublin, Bridie stands for no nonsense in the playground.  ‘If someone is cheeky, I tell them where to go.’ This take-charge attitude extends to adults who have crossed the line as well as younger folk.  Bridie has high standards. On her watch, the toilets are tidy and the playground paving is swept. She doesn’t confine her attention to the playground and can be seen raking leaves on the path into Boxworth Grove and down the path toward the other end of the park.

Bridie was skeptical last year about planting up the sandpit in the playground.  ‘Just a waste of money,’ said Bridie, not mincing words. However, she has been pleasantly surprised as the herb garden planted by the community thrived. (We all were pleasantly surprised.) ‘It’s quite good with the children running through the flowers down the paths,” she said.  Bridie is spending the summer in Thornhill Square playground where she enjoys the blooms in the flower gardens.

Bridie looks to be retiring this summer. Bridie no doubt will keep busy with her family.  She has two teenage grandchildren. Bridie will be missed in Islington parks.  As a community police officer remarked, ‘She is one of the greats.’

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