New High Sheriff of Devon declared
Devon’s new High Sheriff has been declared at a ceremony in Exeter Cathedral on Friday (28 March).
Caroline Harlow, 70, who lives in Exeter, is a trustee of Devon Community Foundation and member of the Independent Monitoring Board at Channings Wood Prison.
Her service to her community across many years brought her attention to the often hidden and devastating harms caused by gambling addiction. She will be dedicating her year as High Sheriff to getting people in Devon talking about the issue and supporting those with gambling addiction going through the prison system. She is also committed to supporting organisations that keep people out of custody and help prisoners returning to society.
The Office of High Sheriff is an independent non-political Royal appointment for a single year. It is the oldest secular office in the United Kingdom after the Crown and dates back over 1,000 years from Saxon times when the Shires were formed. The ‘Shire Reeve’ was responsible to the king for the maintenance of law and order within the county, and for the collection and return of taxes due to the Crown. Today, there are 55 High Sheriffs serving the counties of England and Wales each year.
“I’m deeply honoured and excited by the potential of my role,” said Caroline Harlow.
Having begun her career as a speech and language therapist, Caroline took a break to raise her two children with her GP husband Tim. She then worked in the NHS and private sectors as a specialist in communication disorders for people with acquired brain injury. On taking early retirement she then devoted her time to community service, starting with six years spent volunteering in the kitchen at St Petrock’s homeless centre in Exeter.
“Listening to people’s stories while volunteering in the kitchen at St Petrock’s alerted me to how many of those who were sleeping rough or were without a home of their own had come out of prison and were continuing to struggle with addiction. This led to my volunteering for the Independent Monitoring Board at HMP Channings Wood. The role of the Board is to represent the prisoners’ voice and to ensure they are treated with dignity, humanity, fairness and respect.
“This in turn introduced me to two former prisoners who had lost their high-level careers, homes and families to gambling addiction. They opened my eyes to this often-hidden addiction’s pernicious grip and the devastating harm it causes. I am now focusing my volunteering work on bringing about awareness and change for those whose gambling addiction has led them to prison in Devon.”
Caroline was a team member for the establishment of TEDxExeter and is also a former acting chair of trustees at Devon Community Foundation, the county’s largest independent grant funder for charities and community organisations. The foundation works with donors and funding partners to turn donations into grants that go to grassroots organisations strengthening communities and tackling inequalities in the heart of their communities.
Mary Hancock, CEO of Devon Community Foundation, said: “Caroline has been closely involved with Devon Community Foundation for many years, both as a donor and as a Trustee. We know that she is committed to using her time as High Sheriff to support the voluntary sector in Devon and to promote the incredible work that grassroots community organisations do across the county. And she will continue the High Sheriff’s close work with people involved with the criminal justice system. We are very proud that Caroline will be taking on this prestigious role and we wish her all the best for the year ahead.”
The Declaration Service at Exeter Cathedral is followed by choral evensong. It is a service that is open to all. Following the Declaration there will be an invitation buffet supper for 54 people, prepared by prisoners at HMP Channings Wood who have undertaken a 17 week training course at Weston College.
“The role of High Sheriff is over a thousand years old,” said Caroline. “My career as a speech and language therapist gave me my first taste of the satisfaction of working closely with people to help them achieve what at one time they thought would be impossible. Fifty years later I’m still committed to the same values. But now I’m in a pivotal position to bring together people working in crime reduction, the voluntary sector, the judicial system and the custodial services. I can’t wait to get started.”
