Lawyer’s service anything but brief

A LONG-SERVING lawyer who committed to the same firm his entire career has retired after 48 years of service.

Colleagues past and present said farewell to Fred Hollingworth at a surprise party at Crompton and Royton Golf Club.

Mr Hollingworth started work for Mellor and Jackson solicitors on August 23, 1961, straight from leaving school.

He began the early part of his career at their office above Royton Post Office, specialising in divorce and family law.

He spent the majority of his career at the Oldham office on Church Lane, where he qualified as a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives, before returning to the Royton office in 2006.

Ex-senior partner Michael Cheetham said: “It is rare these days for an employee to commit to a single firm for the whole of their working life. It is a real tribute to Fred’s loyalty and dedication to the firm.”

Current partner John Edmondson said that Mr Hollingworth had been an outstanding employee and friend throughout the 48 years and presented him with an engraved watch.

Mr Hollingworth was a keen cricketer and played for Moorside.