LEGAL EAGLES gathered in Forfar yesterday to toast a court officer as he flew the co-op and into retirement.

Tributes were paid to Tony Cook by colleagues and friends when he bowed out after eight years’ service at the town’s sheriff court.

He responded by saying, “I have been honoured to be part of the court service team here.

“I have enjoyed my time at the sheriff court and have been fortunate to have worked alongside great colleagues.”

Mr Cook’s working life started aged 15 when he joined the navy as a boy seaman, serving all over the world on a variety of ships as a radar operator and diver.

He met wife Jean Boxall, a petty officer in the Wrens, and left the service after 14 years to pursue a career in outdoor education.

That took him to Wales, Essex, the Lake District and finally Scotland, working for the then Tayside Regional Council for over 20 years.

Mr Cook managed Dundee’s Grassy Beach Sailing Centre, Ancrum Outdoor Centre and was latterly promoted to leisure activity officer.

When the regional council ceased under local government reorganisation he took early retirement and went on to work for the Prince’s Trust for a year as a team leader, before joining the court service in June 1999.

“I have an old cottage with a one-acre garden and, with a job sheet from my wife, total retirement is out,” he joked.