Page 6 - Staff FocusSeptember 2020

The ‘weel kent thief’ and a present from Mothercare...

Continued from previous page Blood Transfusion moved to the new building. Some of us were
various courts: Oban, Campbeltown, Kilmarnock, Service as it is quite sitting in plastic container boxes and flying
Greenock, Dunoon, Dumbarton and even 3 weeks time consuming and I down the staircases in them. That obviously was
at Glasgow.” never had time before.” before health and safety issues and would never
A secondment to Campbeltown followed and Dorothy be allowed now!
went to live and work there for 10 months. “I loved it. I “It has been great to have colleagues who have
travelled home every 2 weeks for the weekend. I made become friends and I have enjoyed the very
many great friends there and when I returned to Paisley I The class of 1979 was interesting work of the Court of Session and
just loved getting back out and about.” Getting out and certainly a distinguished High Court.”
about made it easy to meet people across the service and one and has done the New priorities now loom for Lynn with home
outside it. “That was the best part of working with the court service proud improvements high on the agenda. “I’m going
court service for me. I have made many friends over the over the past four to be getting my house done up before winter
years – and not too many enemies, I think! decades. Another with new windows and doors and then I will
One encounter that Dorothy will not forget was with a member who is bidding consider any furry additions to my family.” But
“customer” when she was out preparing for the arrival of farewell this autumn she will not be bidding a complete farewell to
her new baby. “In 1997 I was having my daughter and I is Lynn Curran, SCTS as she will be coming in to help out when
met a 'weel kent thief' in Mothercare with his wife who Depute Clerk of Session needed. “I am not totally leaving so hope to see
was also pregnant. He asked me if I saw anything I liked, I and Justiciary in the many of you again soon,” said Lynn.
was horrified!! But when I had my daughter he brought in Supreme Courts. Lynn
a present for me and added: 'I have put the receipt in so has been with the
you know I didn't steal it!’ I thought this was very funny courts since 1982 but Lynn Curran: “I’ve enjoyed the interesting work”
but also really kind.” started work as a civil David Duff can remember the day he walked into
Now Dorothy is preparing to use some of her retirement servant with the National Savings Bank.
time to give even more to her community as well as She moved to the court service on promotion and started Saughton House to begin his career 45 years ago as clearly
treating herself a bit too. “It has been manic since I in Glasgow Sheriff Court, then in Ingram Street working in as if it was yesterday. David, who retired from the
retired!! I have been helping out neighbours who have the cashiers department as an AO – or clerical officer as it Pensions Appeal Tribunal in April, started with the
been shielding and have been doing their shopping was then. Promotion came round quickly again and Teachers Superannuation Scheme and was met with a
and washing! brought a choice for Lynn. “I had the choice of the court distinctly wartime feel when he turned up.
“My top priority for my retirement is to be able to travel – service or the procurator fiscals service. I chose the “Saughton had originally been a prisoner of war camp and
when restrictions are lifted – and being able to volunteer court service.” in those days it still had barbed wire – facing inwards! It
more regularly. She went on to further roles in Glasgow Sheriff Court, the was pretty bleak: no carpets and painted battleship grey.
“I have signed up with the Food Train which does Court of Session and the High Court and years that have The joke was that they had used Royal Navy surplus paint
shopping for people who are housebound, the ACCORD brought a lot of happy memories. “One in particular was left over from wartime.” From Saughton David went on
hospice and I am now able to donate my platelets to the the party at the sheriff court in Ingram Street before we