Swansea Old Breconian Receives His Obe At Buckingham Palace

A former Magistrate, who sat as a Justice in Swansea for four decades, has swapped the courtroom for the palace.

Elliot Griffiths (SHR, 53-61) went to Buckingham Palace to receive his OBE, appointed to the former Christ College student for services to the criminal justice system.

Mr Griffiths became a Magistrate at the age of 30 in 1973 while working as a Chartered Accountant for the Morriston construction firm Rees and Kirby — he went on to serve on the bench for 40 years, retiring, as all magistrates must do, when he hit 70 earlier this year.

He also spent many years as a member of the Magistrates Association.

Mr Griffiths, who lives in Cadoxton, Neath, received his OBE from Prince Charles.

He said: “It was a very proud moment, and I was lucky enough to share it with members of my family. It was very unexpected when the OBE was announced in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

“Being a magistrate was very rewarding — the sacrifices came from my family to allow me to do it.”