Marigold Harding: from medical technologist to custos
Published:Sunday | September 5, 2010 | 12:00 AM
To the casual onlooker, the new custos of St Andrew, Marigold Harding, a justice of the peace, is only an active socialite. But those who know her are aware that to date she is a multifaceted career woman and community worker whose activities span many fields of endeavour.
She is a medical technologist who received her training at the University of the West Indies; an interior decorator/designer, horticulturist, florist and show judge at the international level; a paralegal and office administrator, a mentor to university students and she has been a JP since 1982. In her new capacity, she hopes to continue her predecessor, Bishop Carmen Stewart's, work in ensuring that adequate numbers of JPs cover the island and that they become more closely linked with the communities they serve.
Her awards and ribbons garnered from flower shows both at home and abroad are too numerous to mention, but at the top of the pile are several Silver Gilt trophies earned from London's prestigious Chelsea Flower Show. She has distinguished herself as a judge at top flower shows all over the world and still gets asked to do these duties every year. As a medical technologist, she worked at hospitals in Jamaica and abroad and served by her husband's side when he was was Jamaica's chargé d'affaires in Mexico.
Keeper of the rolls
The office and official duties of a custos have come a long way since Henry Morgan became custos of Port Royal in 1668. The full title is Custos Rotolorum - 'keeper of the rolls' - a term approved by Parliament on July 5, 1959. Each parish is supposed to have a custos appointed by the governor general and, except for the Corporate Area, he/she must reside in the parish he/she heads.
Other than leaving the parish of residence, or at the governor general's pleasure, a custos usually remains in office till age 75.
Mrs Harding officially assumed office on August 9, and in an interview with Outlook magazine, she spoke about some of her new duties as custos of St Andrew. Custodes usually chair several committees, among them: parish disaster, Lay Magistrates' Association, disaster preparedness and Labour Day.
"We must also do many visits to hospitals, infirmaries, children's homes, prisons and other institutions in the parish to ensure that their affairs are being conducted at a satisfactory standard," Mrs Harding said.
But having been a justice of the peace for so long has prepared her adequately to serve. All custodes represent the governor general in their parish and meet once every year, but Mrs Harding holds the view that this should be increased. In more recent times, custodes also receive training in conflict resolution, mediation, counselling, training for justices of the peace, and mentoring. "If JPs function as they ought to, we will have better communities," Harding opined.
Having been accustomed to community service at many levels, she feels honoured to have been called upon to serve at a higher level.
"I am making a contribution and giving back to my country; many people have in the past turned down such opportunities but I see it as a civic responsibility."
Mrs Harding said she will have to give up many of the other functions she now carries out but she will just have to manage her time as she has done in the past. One thing she will not let go is her involvement in horticulture.
"I will not hold any offices in horticulture organisations but I will still be a part of it. That includes mounting the country's exhibit at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC.
A mother of three adult sons, she is married to Senate President Dr Oswald Harding. She was installed into office at King's House last Thursday and will carry the title the Honourable Marigold Harding, JP, Custos Rotolorum, St Andrew.