A sculptor, aspiring social worker, and an avid cricketer and former police inspector – they all seemed on different trajectories, but fate brought them to the Courts. This month, they said their goodbyes after a combined 25 years at the Courts and nearly 75 years with the Cayman Islands Government.

“We will miss all three of our retirees, but we share their sense of hope and prospects for the future,” said Chief Justice Anthony Smellie to the Court staff gathered for the farewell occasion. “Warmest congratulations on jobs well done, and, in the case of Mr. [Lambert] Dilbert and Mr. [Eric] Greenidge, on your hard-earned retirements.”

The event also marked the departure of Ms Kerri Francella, who is departing the Cayman Islands after some seven years’ service to the Cayman Islands Government, the last five years as Court Reporter.

“Like the other members of the Court Reporting team, she is a true professional and very accomplished at what she does,” the Chief Justice said. “Real time court reporting is a very demanding job and a skill that takes many years of honing to acquire.”

Ms Francella leaves the Court for her native Canada, where she will pursuing studies at the master’s degree level with a view to becoming a social welfare officer in that country.

“I have loved it here in Cayman,” the departing Court Reporter said, explaining, however, that her original career goal had been social welfare: “I am still young and want to learn,” she said, adding: “It’s a hard decision – I have been treated very well at Judicial and being a part of the judicial process has been very rewarding.”

Prior to coming to the Courts, Ms Francella served as a Hansard Officer at the Legislative Assembly for about two years.

Meanwhile, her colleague, Mr. Dilbert (or Wellington, as he likes to be called) retires as Chief Marshall, having served the Courts for nearly 15 years. Prior to that, he served ten years as a prison officer at HM Northward Prison.

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“It was a mark of the trust and respect that Wellington has earned that he was appointed Chief Marshall three years ago, despite other candidates vying for that position,” the Chief Justice said. “He appreciates the important duties that the Marshalls have in assisting with the orderly and efficient administration of the courts and took his responsibilities very seriously.”

For his part, Mr. Dilbert said that he has had no regrets: “My service at the Courts has allowed me an opportunity to grow in my role of dealing with the public and life in general.”

Prior to coming to Cayman Mr. Dilbert worked as an artist, producing sculptures. “I did that for twelve years before coming here, so the art field holds some possibilities for me,” he said. The proud author of a collection of some 70 poems, he hopes to continue his hobby of writing poetry.

Mr. Greenidge, who was off-island for medical reasons at the time of the ceremony, also retired from service as a Court Marshall, serving in that role for nearly six years. He came to the Courts from the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service, where he rose to the position of Inspector in a career that began in the 1970s. He joined the Courts in 2003 following his retirement from the RCIPS, where he was, the Chief Justice said, “a stalwart member” of the police cricket team.

At the Courts, his performance was equally impressive. “During his years at the Courts, Mr. Greenidge also earned the trust and respect of all of us, judges and court staff alike,” the Chief Justice said. “The dignified way in which he carries himself and the disciplined and courteous manner in which he goes about his duties can serve as a good example to all who follow him in the position as Marshall.

“We thank him for his more than 40 years’ service to the people of these islands,” the Chief Justice said.