MANCHESTER, Jamaica — Custos of Manchester Sally Porteous has retired after serving seven years in that office.

According to a statement from the Office of the Governor General, her resignation took effect on February 1, but she has agreed to stay on until a new Custos is sworn into office.

Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen presented Porteous with a Citation at the annual Meeting and Luncheon of Custodes at King’s House last Tuesday.

He said she had ably represented the citizens of Manchester, and they along with the people of Jamaica owed her a debt of gratitude for her hard work and commitment.

It was noted in the statement that Allen mentioned several projects which Porteous had undertaken including lobbying for the establishment of a Remand Centre in Mandeville, the installation of a water tank on the grounds of the Mandeville Fire Station, and establishing an office of INDECOM in Mandeville.

Porteouos thanked The governor-general for the beautiful words in the Citation and was quoted as saying: “This was one of the fastest seven years as I feel as if I have only just begun.”

Citing her two main regrets as not having been able to renovate the male lock-up and refurbish the Mandeville Court House, Custos Porteous said she had indicated to the Mayor that she would like to continue working on these project as she had collected $3 million to renovate the Court House and also had $500,000 to renovate the lockup, the statement continued.

While reflecting that she would miss the relationship she had developed with her colleague Custodes, Porteous said retirement did not mean one had to stop working.

The Office of the Governor General disclosed that her next major project will be to serve as the Managing Director and Chairman of the Board of the Crystal House (Jamaica) School, which will be opened later this year at Twickenham Park in Spanish Town.

The school will cater for children 4-17 years from the depressed communities around Spanish Town.

The Custodes Act states that Custodes are required to demit office on reaching the age of 75 years unless specially requested to continue in office.