As our county’s first black High Sheriff, the installation of Theresa Peltier in April was momentous and, as Nathan Fearn discovers, this prestigious office is in exceptional hands.
April 5 is a date that will live long in the memory of Derbyshire’s new High Sheriff Theresa Peltier.
Almost two-and-a-half had passed since her nomination at the Royal Courts of Justice was approved by Her Majesty the Queen.
And the installation, which took place in Theresa’s home town of Wirksworth, could not have gone any better.
‘It felt wonderful, it was a very special day,’ recalls Theresa fondly.
‘The people there were there in genuine support and it was a wonderful atmosphere. It felt intimate, even though there were around 180 people in attendance.’
The office of High Sheriff is a historic one, dating to Saxon times, and with it comes great responsibility.
It is one Theresa plans to take in her stride, aided by the support of her peers which, she believes, has been invaluable.
‘They’ve been amazing, just so supportive’ she reveals.
‘I already knew Liz Fothergill (former High Sheriff and now Lord Lieutenant for Derbyshire) but it was so nice for her to reach out from the beginning. She gave me the opportunity to listen to things from her perspective, because each High Sheriff’s experience is different; they bringing their own take.
‘I also met recent High Sheriffs Louise Potter and Lucy Palmer, while David Coleman is a good friend and ex-boss of mine! He was instrumental in inviting me to join the Shrievalty Panel in 2014. William Burlington too, who nominated me, was fantastic.
‘The year before Mike (Copestake) was installed he came up with the idea of us meeting on a monthly basis and I am so glad he did.
‘Once Ian Morgan was announced as my successor we introduced him, then Sir Richard FitzHerbert, and we meet every six to eight weeks.
‘Then there’s Andrew Cochraine, my Under Sheriff. I will be his final High Sheriff before he stands down and he’s the font of all knowledge. Nothing fazes him. He’s a very calming influence.
‘I also have friends in Wirksworth who have been so supportive.’
Some of our county’s most influential names have held the office of High Sheriff and the significance of the position is not lost on Theresa.
Neither is the fact that she has the distinction of being Derbyshire’s first black High Sheriff.
‘This office is over 1,000 years old,’ says Theresa. ‘Being the first black High Sheriff of Derbyshire made me wonder who the first ever black High Sheriff was.
‘There have been a few in recent years but the first was in 1818, Nathaniel Wells, the son of a slave trader. He was High Sheriff of Monmouthshire.
‘All these nuggets to the past and how they link to me and what’s important to me are important. Being the first in Derbyshire has resulted in immense pride amongst members of the black community, they feel it.
‘But actually, whilst it brings pride, for every black person at my installation, we feel it acutely because we cannot ignore that this is linked to a legacy steeped in Colonialism, the slave trade and past experiences not to be celebrated.
‘We can’t ignore that or pretend that legacy doesn’t still impact today. I’m the first and with that comes responsibility to the black community for me to do a good job and represent them.’
Historically, the High Sheriff was responsible to the Monarch for the maintenance of law and order within their county.
While the role is more ceremonial now, the legacy a High Sheriff can leave can be significant.
For Theresa, her four areas of focus are deeply personal and wrapped in a clear theme – ‘unity is community’.
‘One focus is adoption and fostering, which I am passionate about because I was adopted at three months into an inter-racial adoption. I was born in 1961 and it wasn’t a positive experience for many reasons. The environment in the home had its problems but also the racism I suffered as a black child in the early sixties wasn’t great.
‘Adoption East Midlands is an amalgamation of Nottingham City; Nottinghamshire County; Derby City; and Derbyshire County. There are five panels and I am vice chair on one.
‘It’s one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done because when you can influence decisions that enable a child in care to be taken out that system and be part of a loving, nurturing family which gives them stability to be the best they can be is just fantastic.
‘It’s so fulfilling because I didn’t have that and whilst my experience was negative, I can use my experience for the greater good.
‘Inter-racial adoption is important too. It took me years to find my black identity and be comfortable in my own skin. I had nobody to give me support, who had my lived experience. If my experiences can help others, that’s great.
‘The fostering panel is slightly different because you’re looking at approving new foster carers but predominantly looking at the annual reviews of those already fostering.’
Another community which will feature prominently is the deaf community.
‘I had little knowledge of the deaf community until a member of my team at work started doing work with the deaf community,’ she says.
‘A post was created specifically to link with Derbyshire’s deaf community and it was through her I gained knowledge; it opened my eyes.
‘I wondered how I could have missed it. Derbyshire has the largest deaf community proportionate to the UK population and their needs are often overlooked.
‘We started to do a lot of work with the deaf community in policing, like how to report a hate crime and what is a hate crime, because many have been subjected to hate crimes but didn’t recognise what it was.
‘I’m retired now but it still bothered me that there is this whole community that need bringing into every day mainstream life, support in gaining employment for example – there’s still lots to do.
‘Another focus is the Magistracy. I want to use my platform to encourage individuals from under-represented groups to become magistrates, consider foster caring and maybe adoption.
‘We achieve more by doing things together, building relationships and working in partnerships. By doing that, we can achieve great things - but only if we find out about each other.’
One community in Derbyshire whose contribution may have gone under the radar is Theresa’s fourth focus – one which is deeply personal to her.
‘We want to celebrate the Windrush generation who perhaps haven’t been recognised, many of whom have their stories still untold,’ says Theresa.
READ MORE: The West Indian passengers of Empire Windrush
‘I want to recognise individuals from that era who have made significant contributions to Derby and Derbyshire.
‘The experiences they went through have enabled people like me to have the opportunity and confidence to do some of the things I have done, so I don’t take that lightly.’
Theresa’s passion, compassion, energy and talents are palpable – qualities which enabled her to enjoy a highly successful career in the Police and be the recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including the national Police Staff of the Year Award from the British Association of Women in Policing and Police Staff of the Year and lifetime achievement awards from the National and Derbyshire Black Police Associations.
And be under no illusions, she is determined to make a difference and this extends beyond her four focus areas.
‘My neighbour used to sit on the independent monitoring board for Foston Hall, the women’s prison,’ says Theresa. ‘She is setting up Friends of Foston Hall, with support from the governor of Foston.
‘She’s asked me to be involved and I am delighted. It’s about the wellbeing of those incarcerated, service users, and how they can best manage their time and mental health and enhance hidden skills they didn’t realise they had.
‘I’m also going to link in with Peter Els from the Cosy Foundation who has been doing great work with Sudbury Prison and Drakelow, introducing a process encouraging companies and organisations to offer apprenticeships and employment opportunities to prisoners.
‘They’re at their most vulnerable when they leave and it’s about ensuring they don’t end up in a negative cycle again and back inside.’
With so much to do, Theresa is fortunate to have the support of a loving family, who, she believes, will be crucial.’
‘They’re vital,’ she says warmly. ‘My life partner George is that calming, steady influence and also the voice of reason. In terms of Windrush, he’s taking that forward. It’s his baby and I’m supporting him. He’s Jamaican, brought up in the heart of the black community at that time and knows those families and their stories.
‘My daughter works in the Police, so she’s got that background in policing, as has my son-in-law, who is a chief inspector in Derbyshire. They understand why this role is important to me.
‘It was important my grandchildren were at the installation too. I wanted them to witness something important and hopefully take inspiration as they go through life. It also meant a lot to my son, Nathan. It was an emotional day.’
One thing’s for sure, Theresa is set to make her mark in a role she takes on with great pride.
‘I feel very fortunate, there’s a lot of positive things happening,’ she concludes.
‘I’m so proud to represent our county. The people of Derbyshire are very warm and that’s particularly the case in Wirksworth where I am, they’re amazing.
‘There are parts of Derbyshire I haven’t been to much and I can’t wait to get out to those places. It’s important I am visible and make those connections and relationships.’
