HIGH sheriff Caroline Peacock is to host a free Easter family fun day at her Hamsterley home to mark the end of her term of office.
Everyone is invited to attend the event on Saturday, April 7, just two days before she hands over the high sheriff reigns after what she described as abusy year.
At the time of her appointment in April last year, Mrs Peacock described it as the greatest honour of her life.
Since then she has visited recovery centres, women’s refuges, police stations and prisons across the Durham shrieval area. She has also welcomed high court judges to the area and attended hearings.
She said: “People think judges are out of touch. They are more in touch than most of us because they see things that most people can’t imagine.”
She was particularly impressed by the work being done by volunteers at refuges and shelters, and held a service at Durham Cathedral on honour of them on Wednesday, March 21.
She described hosting two services at the cathedral as highlights her shrieval year.
The high sheriff also paid tribute to the county’s police – currently the only force in the country to be rated outstanding – and said they had made her feel particularly welcome.
Her final high sheriff event, the National Crimebeat Awards, takes place soon after she leaves office and will see Durham Constabulary receive a special award for its mini-police project.
The scheme, which sees primary school pupils appointed as mini-police officers, complete with uniforms, has been emulated in other parts of the UK, including Wales.
Mrs Peacock said: “The project is to engage with primary school children to try to transform the community’s relationship with police.”
In describing her term of office, she said: “There is a degree of relief because it has been hard work, but it has been the most interesting and rewarding year of my life.”
The Easter family fun day kicks off at her home, Ravensford Farm, at 1pm and features Punch and Judy, Cream Tees music group, tea, coffee, homemade cakes and Spanish-style chocolate con churros. Volunteer police cadets will also be putting on traditional games like giant jenga and a coconut-shy.
Judging of the decorated egg and Easter bonnet competitions will take place at 3pm.
Mrs Peacock said all proceeds from the day will go to local charities that support vulnerable people.
