Fond farewell to town’s law courts
JUSTICE will not be administered in Bridgend for the first time in around two centuries after the doors of Bridgend Magistrates’ Court closed for the final time.
The law courts have been axed under a Government closure programme, which shut courts it deemed “under used and outdated”.
On Friday, serving and retired magistrates, court staff, solicitors and members of the Crown Prosecution Service and Probation Service gathered to bid the building a fond farewell.
Also present was the deputy clerk to the justices for Wales Jayson Lewis, justice clerk for family matters Michael Farr and Andrew Morris, previously deputy clerk for Bridgend.
The chairman of Newcastle and Ogmore bench, Alun Jenkins, expressed deep sadness at the closure and said that Bridgend court had always worked hard in the pursuit of local justice.
Before the Sunnyside Road court building was opened a few decades ago, court hearings were also held at the New Town Hall in Dunraven Place.
In later years, magistrates sat in a court above and to the side of the now Grade II-listed Old Police Station/Court House on the corner of Derwen Road which was built in 1880 and used well into the 20th century.
Mr Jenkins paid tribute to the magistrates, the court staff and the various groups of professional people who had participated in ensuring that the justice system had worked successfully throughout Bridgend.
Some magistrates were retiring and he wished them future health and happiness and also to others who had decided to retire.
Criminal cases are now being heard in Cardiff, while some family matters will be dealt with in Port Talbot.