POPULAR TV gardener and former Island high sheriff, Alan Titchmarsh, led the many glowing tributes to Carol Cooper, the friendly face of the Isle of Wight Law Courts, on her retirement farewell.

The Island’s legal community gathered at the IW Crown Court to pay tribute to Carol, who hung up her gown for the last time.

Carol, who started as a temporary part-time usher at Newport’s Guildhall in 1988, has seen her 32-year career, spanning over five different decades, progress to crown court clerk, crime team manager and manager of the family and licensing section, following the move to the court building in Sea Street in 1993.

Up until retirement, Carol was, alongside being a senior crown court clerk, responsible for managing anything from the building's safety to its cleanliness — a vital role during the pandemic.

Isle of Wight County Press:

Her husband Tim, members of her family, and former colleagues, were among those invited to Tuesday’s short ceremony to hear tributes from judges, colleagues, the Crown Prosecution Service and former Island high sheriff, Alan Titchmarsh.

Judges Tim Mousley (resident), David Melville (circuit) and Andrew Grand (resident, County Court), thanked Carol for her service and acknowledged her outstanding contribution.

Judge Mousley said Carol would be “greatly missed and a hard act to follow”.

Appearing by video link, Alan, who served as high sheriff between 2008-09, thanked Carol for making his role at court, which he initially found daunting, ‘a delight, a pleasure and refreshingly pleasant’.

“I do, however, have one disappointment. I was told you replaced your greenhouse with a hot tub, but I suppose there comes a point in everyone’s life this will happen.

Chairman of magistrates, Gillian Dale, added: “Dealing with magistrates is like herding cats — confusing, frustrating and with a likelihood of being bitten.

“But you’ve always dealt with us with grace, tact and humour.”

On behalf of the Crown Prosecution Service, Ann Smout paid tribute to Carol’s long service — and particularly to her once ‘difficult’ role as usher.

The Island’s court manager, Annette Spencer-Moram, echoed those sentiments by adding anecdotes of Carol’s time dealing with difficult defendants — persuading one brandishing a knife to come into the court building and dealing with another who set fire to her gown.

Carol, who once ran the London Marathon and who enjoys motorcycling and quizzes, plans a more peaceful retirement with family and friends.

“I’ve worked at the courts almost half my life, but the time has come to finally hang up my gown,” she said.

“I intend to make the most of each day.”