Marjorie retires from court role

Marjorie Bray

OLDHAM’S longest ever serving magistrate has retired from the bench after 35 years service.

Marjorie Bray was the youngest female magistrate when she was appointed in May, 1975, and has now retired after reaching the age of 70.

Marjorie is the current longest-serving magistrate: Councillor Hugh McDonald, appointed at the same time, retires next year.

She has also served on every panel and committee, including the youth panel, the family panel and the advisory committee that appoints new magistrates.

Mrs Bray, from Royton, said: “I worked at the electricity board at the time and my boss was a magistrate and they were looking for diversity on the bench, particularly some younger people who perhaps had a family and were working.

“I was quite young and nervous when I first started. It’s been a wonderful experience and has given me such a lot.

“I have gained experience and confidence over the years. I have been a magistrate for exactly half my life and I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”

She will continue on a voluntary basis with Magistrates in the Community, going into schools to do presentations on the work magistrates do, and indulge her passion for golf as a founder member of Oldham Ladies Golf Association.

Mrs Bray was presented with an engraved goblet at a farewell presentation.