Page 8 - Staff FocusSeptember 2020

From Hamilton to Buckingham Palace – what a journey!

Continued from previous page
nominees after the ceremony. I still A number of other
regale my grandchildren with tales of long-serving colleagues
that adventure to this day.” have also left the service
The visit to Santa’s Grotto came about over the past months
more by chance. When Brian was without the chance to
working at Campbeltown Sheriff Court, say a full farewell. We
he was asked to help out one year with send them best wishes
the local Christmas community for the future:
celebrations. The Rotary Club
collected funds to buy Christmas Mike Herbertson,
presents for the local kids and to throw Aberdeen Sheriff Court
a big party for them every year. On this (41 years)
occasion the regular Santa was taken
ill and Brian was asked if he would Audrey Bayliss,
stand in. He agreed and the Grampian, Highland &
organisers dressed him up in a Santa Islands SBM (38 years)
suit, gave him a megaphone and drove
him around the town on Saturday Hilary Coyne, Fines
morning in a pick-up truck announcing Special: Brian McBride was part of the Courts Unification team who were invited to the Palace Photo by naderarman/Unsplash Business Unit (37 years)
that Santa was coming to town that
afternoon, and would be available in his Grotto to meet the kids later on. the emotional, technical and practical support we need Margaret Dundas,
“I turned up at lunch time and sat down with the kids for lunch. After that they all lined throughout our career, and we can access financial help Lothian and Borders
up and, one by one, to sit on my knee to tell me what they wanted me to bring them for to acquire university and college level qualifications. We Management team
Christmas. There was a lot of ho, ho, ho-ing and promising to be good going on, and I can also work with others to make new friends both in (31 years)
thoroughly enjoyed myself.” and out of the service.
Now embarking on his retirement, Brian has new paths ahead. “My top priority is to “To my colleagues I would say pay attention to all Gina Cassidy, Glasgow
take a complete break and to spend time with my family. After that I’ve got one or the developments that are coming up. We are Sheriff Court (28 years)
two ideas for personal projects that are long overdue and which I’ve never had time entering exciting times and I would encourage Bill Paterson, Inverness
to get around to.” everyone to take full advantage of the learning and Sheriff Court (26 years)
And he also has great memories to look back on of his colleagues and years with the development possibilities being presented, and
courts. “The best aspect of working for the service for me has been the friendly and to explore the new career chances that are opening Sandra McArdle, Falkirk
supportive environment in which we work. up for us all. Sheriff Court (22 years)
The policies and procedures which we now have in place guarantee that we receive all “And finally – stay safe everyone.”