Wilma Hutcheon, one of Aberdeen’s first female traffic wardens, has died aged 89.
She was among a batch of female recruits who joined the male ranks of traffic wardens on the city streets in 1974.
In those days, the pay for both male and female wardens was between £1,329 and £1,416.
Satisfaction
Wilma worked from police headquarters in Queen Street and thoroughly enjoyed her long career said her daughter Brenda Duff.
“Back then the wardens had to direct traffic and my mother could often be seen in the road around Market Street or Bridge Street.
“Over the years she made many friends among other wardens and the police and shopkeepers where she used to stop for a cup of tea.
“I don’t think she ever encountered trouble from drivers. She was patient and would wait for drivers to come back to their cars.”
In the 1970s, traffic wardens worked a 38-hour week and covered upwards of 45 miles on foot around the streets of Aberdeen.
When the Evening Express interviewed Wilma when she landed her role she told us: “Certainly it’s a job with a difference and it will be nice to be out and about in the open air.”
Wilma was born in Aberdeen, the daughter of John and Mary Stephen.
Working life
When she left school she began work as a sales assistant at Henderson the baker in George Street, Aberdeen.
She moved on to work in sales at the Shand wallpaper shop, also in George Street, before going to work for Wood the grocer in Torry.
Just before Wilma joined Aberdeen City Police as a traffic warden she had been working in the Paige ladies fashion store in Union Street.
Wilma, who had been married and divorced, had a long career as a traffic warden but wanted to remain active when she retired.
She decided to help out at her daughter’s hairdressing salon, Brenda’s, at 218 Victoria Road.
Wilma was first in each day to put the kettle on and, for 10 years, helped out with shampooing and serving tea and coffee to customers.
“She was still going to the staff nights out until about five years ago,” said Brenda.
Outside work, Wilma played darts for the men’s and ladies’ teams at the Lochside, played bingo and enjoyed Saturday’s at her social club.
Her brother, John Stephen, had also been a traffic warden and later became a town sergeant.
Conversation