Peaches Golding OBE is the High Sheriff of the County of City of Bristol. The office is the oldest secular office in Britain, dating back to Saxon times. The post of High Sheriff is an appointment of the Queen and lasts for one year. The office is one of two offices that represent the Queen in the City of Bristol and ranks second behind that of the Lord Lieutenant.

‘I am thrilled to be the High Sheriff of Bristol,’ says Peaches. ‘The role is often referred to as ‘the Queen’s keeper of the peace’. Although the role is both ceremonial and representational of the Sovereign, the modern High Sheriff is active in local and national programmes that encourage young people to raise their life and career expectations and that make people more aware of how to handle their money wisely. The High Sheriff also attends and observes Court, particularly the Crown Court, but also the Magistrates’ Court and supports the uniformed services that we all rely on.’

In Bristol, there are certain traditions that are observed and High Sheriffs past and future work together to ensure continuity as well as innovation. ‘This year, due to my American heritage, I am working with the Embassy of the United States of America on issues of joint importance to us both. In April we will be jointly sponsoring a music and song writing workshop to inspire 25 young people interested in developing their musical talents.’

During the Shrieval year, Peaches will be adding more pages to the website concerning some of her Shrieval activities.

Pricking the High Sheriff

On Wednesday 17th March 2010, at a ceremony at the court at Buckingham Palace, Her Majesty The Queen ‘was pleased with the advice of Her Privy Council’ to appoint Peaches Golding OBE to be High Sheriff of the County of City of Bristol during the year 2010 to 2011. There is a High Sheriff for each county in England and Wales, though the Shrieval Counties ("Shrieval" means anything to do with a Sheriff) are no longer has the same boundaries as administrative areas, representing a mix between the traditional counties and more recent local authority areas.

The High Sheriff office take effect from the 17th March although it is only once the Declaration is made that the postholder can assume the office.

Declaration Ceremony

On Tuesday 23rd March 2010, at a ceremony at the Crown Court of Bristol presided over by Mr Justice R Field, Peaches Golding OBE swore the Declaration of office. The occasion was attended by a number of dignitaries including the Lord Lieutenant of Bristol Mrs Mary Prior MBE, the Deputy Cultural Attachè of the Embassy of the United States of America Kathy Bentley, the Lord Mayor of Bristol Cllr Christopher Davies as well as Peaches’ husband Bob and their family and friends. Following the declaration, friends and family enjoyed lunch together.

Turnover Dinner

On Friday 26th March 2010 at a Turnover Dinner arranged by the former High Sheriff of Bristol 2009 / 2010, Dr Timothy Chambers OBE, Peaches set out her vision of how she will serve the citizens of Bristol as their High Sheriff - the Queen’s keeper of the peace.

Themes for the High Sheriff 2010 / 2011

During her year as High Sheriff, Peaches plans to use her experience of working in the public, private and voluntary sectors in Bristol over the past 27 years and to combine this experience with new Shrieval role. She aims to visit as many of Bristol’s 35 wards as possible and travel on land, sea and air within her Bristol bailiwick (geographic area over which she serves). Her priorities will be to-

• Assist initiatives aimed at reducing youth crime and disorder through Bristol Youth and Community Action (BYCA) and other initiatives
• Raising funds for the High Sheriff’ Fund which benefits over 4,000 of Bristol’s young people during school holidays, encourages the young people to gain or develop new skills and discourages them from unsocial behaviour.
• Observing the High Court and Magistrates Court, supporting the judiciary and those providing police, probation, prison and emergency services.
• Recognise and celebrate the contributions of volunteers and often overlooked heroes who give their time, whether in work or in the community, to improve the lives of others.
• Raising awareness of, and participating in, the many events, celebrations and activities that take place in Bristol through serving as one of the two representatives of the Queen in the City.

Profile of Peaches Golding OBE

Peaches was educated at R J Reynolds High School, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA and was graduated from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (BA Biology).

She is married to Bob Golding and they have one son, Charles.

Peaches has over 25 years of marketing and communications experience gained in senior posts in the public and private sectors and in private practice. Most notably she has worked for Business in the Community, one of Prince Charles’ Charities, since 1995. She was Deputy Campaign Director of the Race for Opportunity campaign, then Regional Director of Business in the Community South West for 6 years and is now Director, Special Projects, which focuses on environmental campaigning. She has also worked for a number of clients including the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, Employment Service, Department for Education & Employment, British Steel and Bowater Pharmaceuticals among others.

Peaches is Chair of ITV West Regional Advisory Council and ITV West Country Viewer Advisory Panel and was until recently a Non Executive Director of North Bristol NHS Trust (2004-10), a member of the Ethnic Minority Business Forum of the Department of Trade and Industry (2004-06), Home Office representative on Avon & Somerset Police Authority Independent Member selection panel (2000-08).

In 2009 Peaches was awarded an OBE for services to minority ethnic people in the Southwest.