Tributes to ex-JP and printer

A FORMER Oldham magistrate who died last week has been praised for his work in the town.

Tributes have been paid to George Halkyard (84), a printer at the OIdham Chronicle in the 1950s, who died in the Royal Oldham Hospital on February 21 after battling cancer.
Born and raised in Hathershaw, Mr Halkyard, of College Avenue, was called up to the Army shortly after the end of the Second World War, and produced maps and army newspapers in Greece, Palestine and Jordan.

After completing his apprenticeship as a printer, he joined the Oldham Chronicle and later went on to work for the Manchester Guardian and the Manchester Evening News.

Upon retiring he served as a magistrate for 25 years, and was chairman of the bench at Oldham Magistrates’ Court from 1993 to 1996.

His daughter, Alison Seaman, said: “He was a very special man.

“He loved his work and he was very committed to being a magistrate.

“He was well liked, much-loved and he will be missed by a lot of people.

“People say that he was a gentleman but also a gentle man, he took an interest in people and would give anyone his time.” George leaves Marian, his wife of 59 years.

His funeral will take place at the Honeywell Lane Methodist Church at 2pm on Thursday, followed by committal at Oldham Crematorium at 3pm.