‘Farewell Shirley, the Rolls Royce of Ushers’: Long-serving member of court staff retires
‘I’LL MISS MY FRIENDS’: Shirley Killingsworth, who is retiring after more than 20 years as an Usher at Hull Crown Court
By Simon Bristow
She normally knows the case listings at Hull Crown Court intimately.
But for perhaps the first time in her 23-year career as an Usher, Shirley Killingsworth did not know what lay in store for her when the case of “R v Smith” was called on in Court One this morning.
It was a phantom listing, part of a perfectly executed covert mission to give her the surprise honour of a valedictory to mark her retirement this week.
Shirley only discovered this upon entering court, finding the Bench filled with eminent members of the region’s judiciary, the Bar packed with barristers and solicitors, and the jury’s seats and public gallery similarly occupied by fellow ushers, Court Clerks, and other current and past court officials and staff – with many more, including serving and retired judges, tuning into proceedings by video link.
The success of the mission – codename Operation Matron – was instantly apparent, as Shirley gasped in astonishment. Her arrival was met with spontaneous and sustained applause.
And then the plan was laid bare by His Honour Judge John Thackray KC, Recorder of Hull and East Riding and Resident Judge Humberside.
Addressing Dale Brook on behalf of the Bar, Judge Thackray told the court: “Mr Brook, we are gathered here this morning not for the case of R v Smith but for Operation Matron, which is to mark the well-deserved retirement of Mrs Killingsworth, or as she is affectionately known to us as Shirley, or to her colleagues as Matron.
“Before I tell you a little about her time as an Usher, let me say something about the role of an Usher in the Crown Court – it is one of the most important roles in the justice system.
“When a judge goes to judges’ training school, one of the first matters emphasised is the importance of the role of an Usher. It is not simply a case of the Usher getting people into court; it is much more than that. The Usher is the eyes and ears of the judge. It is the Usher who gives the judge advance notice of problems which may arise in court – for example, the tension in the public gallery, the badly behaved defendant, the barrister who is under the weather, and the juror who is anxious and struggling.
“Shirley has done all of that and more.”
Shirley, who joined the court service in 2000, has ushered in some of the city’s most high profile trials, which Judge Thackray said included “the long-running and famous chicken case”. She also served during the difficult time of the Covid pandemic, and had coped “amazingly well” with challenges and changes over the years, including “Portakabins for jurors”, the judge said.
After leaving Newland High School for Girls, Shirley became a trained corsetier, and worked in Hammonds department store for 13 years.
Judge Thackray said: “Her attention to detail was no doubt formulated over many years in her previous career as a bra and corset fitter, and that attention to detail has been obvious to us all.”
‘THE ROLLS ROYCE OF USHERS’: Shirley Killingsworth
He added: “It’s quite simply impossible to imagine an Usher demonstrating a higher degree of professionalism than Shirley. I do not know whether the court service has a manual for the job of being an Usher – if they do not they should ask Shirley to write one before she leaves.”
The judge noted that nothing had escaped Shirley’s attention when she had been an Usher in his court, and that vulnerable witnesses had been “comforted by Shirley’s calming and kind manner”.
He told the court: “Shirley has inevitably made the experience of hundreds if not thousands of witnesses and court users less stressful, and the people of Hull and the East Riding owe her a great deal of gratitude.
“In recognition of that, the High Sheriff of Hull and the East Riding will in due course be presenting Shirley with a High Sheriff’s Award.”
Shirley had provided a “five-star service” to whichever judge she looked after, Judge Thackray said, adding: “In my case that does not just involve fresh water but turning on my diffuser in the morning so that I arrive to my chambers with the smell of rose petals accompanied by soft lighting.”
Judge Thackray also quoted retired Judge David Tremberg, who was among those watching over the link, who said: “It was always my pleasure to work with Shirley. She combined her vast experience with unfailing courtesy and dedication. She always treated all court users with respect and set the gold standard for her role. She will be a very hard act to follow.”
Responding, Mr Brook said that just like at “judge school”, young barristers were advised to “always be nice to the court Usher” because they “hold all your hopes and dreams in life, well for that court day anyway”. Any advocate failing to learn this risked “becoming a cropper”, he said.
Shirley was “the Rolls Royce of ushers”, Mr Brook said. He revealed in preparation for his speech he had sought information on any “intrigue” relating to Shirley, but drawing a blank realised she had “maintained a life of dignity” and was “squeaky clean”.
Referring to her previous career in retail, Mr Brook said Shirley had also worked in the crockery department, but she had “smashed so many pots and pans they had to move her to avoid bankruptcy”.
Shirley was, Mr Brook said, “a beacon of loveliness, generosity and good manners”. He said her “decency and kindness provided blessed relief and reassurance”.
Mr Brook told Shirley: “We wish you a very long and happy retirement. These courts will be much the poorer without you.”
Speaking outside court later, Shirley said: “I’m looking forward to retiring but I’m going to miss all my colleagues tremendously because they are more than colleagues; they are very good friends and they have supported me through good times and bad.”
Asked what makes a good Usher, she said: “Just to do your job to the best of your ability. Be considerate and think of others. I’m just a little cog in a big wheel and if we all play our part the job gets done.”