IN MEMORIAM

to be the case and always viewed her legal career as a public spirited role. Some fifty or so years later, with an almost equal representation of men and women in the legal profession, it is difficult to imagine the hostility which female advocates could face from some judges, alongside their exclusion from most Circuit social events. Nonetheless, Margaret built up a successful practice in crime and family work and following the birth of her two daughters, dual qualified and practised as a solicitor. In 1985, after sitting as a Deputy, Margaret was appointed as the first fulltime female Registrar on the Northern Circuit and one of the first nationally. Bolton was her principal court and for the last decade or so of her judicial career, she sat exclusively at Bolton Combined Court. She remained the only fulltime lady Registrar/ District Judge on the Circuit for the next six years. The appointment of a woman was not welcomed by some of Margaret’s new colleagues but eventually the initial resistance was replaced by a warm regard for her undoubted talents as a very able, compassionate and fair judge. Equally, she was prepared to be bold, when she considered that slavishly following precedent was no longer appropriate. She valued her years serving on the County Court Rules Committee and her lucid explanations of the rationale behind various rules changes are still appreciatively remembered. She was also appointed as a Recorder and particularly welcomed the opportunity to deal with the longer and weightier civil trials in addition to crime. Amongst the many tributes paid to Margaret have been a large number from female advocates who having attended her evening social gatherings were encouraged to apply and became District Judges. She was truly a pioneer for women and it is understood that she was the first Old Girl to receive a full-time judicial appointment. After taking early retirement in 2006, Margaret achieved her long-held ambition to study to a high level the subject in which she had always been passionately interested. As a very mature student, she was awarded a first class degree in archaeology from Exeter University followed by the postgraduate MPhil degree. Thereafter, she was, to her great satisfaction, actively involved in practical and academic archaeology. Margaret sadly died on 11th January 2021 after suffering a brain haemorrhage following a fall. Her death has been mourned by many of her school contemporaries, her fellow Exeter students and her professional colleagues whose friendships were always valued and maintained. She is survived by her husband Philip Wilby (Boys’ Division, 1955-1962), also a retired District Judge, her daughters Elizabeth Wade (née Wilby, 19811995) an architect in Edinburgh and Helen Wilby (Girls’ Division 1984-1996), a partner in a family law practice in London, together with four grandchildren. Philip Wilby

Tribute to Jennifer Alice Clack (née Agnew, 1959-1966) An obituary for Jenny was featured in the Autumn 2020 edition of this Newsletter. The Royal Society publishes Biographical Memoirs of deceased Fellows, and two colleagues/friends of Jenny’s have written one for her, which the Royal Society has published and which can be read at royalsocietypublishing.org/ doi/10.1098/rsbm.2021.0008.

Marjorie Cartledge (née Laslett, 1932-1940) – Died May 2021 (Alison) Mona Clarke (née Lord, 1940-1947) – Died October 2020 Joy Rosemary Crosling (1946-1960) – Died 7th December 2020 Josephine Venise Curry (née Hewitt, Class of 1955) – Died 14th May 2021 Sheila Margaret Eastman (née Kilshaw, 1940-1946) – Died 19th September 2021 Stella Patricia Good (née Parker, 1947-1953) – Died 18th June 2021 Penelope Mary Hilton (née Kay, 1938-1947) – Died 1st August 2021 Hilda Margaret Williams (née Brown, 1932-1938) – Died October 2020

A picture from the Bolton School archives: the Charity Food Collection, 1973