The “enormous contribution” of Sheriff Kevin Veal to Angus life was formally marked at a civic reception in Forfar.
The Canmore Room of Forfar’s municipal buildings staged the Angus Council event, at which Provost Helen Oswald welcomed a company which included the county’s Lord Lieutenant, Mrs Georgiana Osborne, elected members, representatives of a range of local authority departments and members of the local legal fraternity.
Mr Veal retired at the end of May after more than 21 years as the resident sheriff at Forfar, which the provost said had been characterised by his compassion for all of those involved in the justice system in Angus and beyond.
“I understand his decision to retire, but I’m nonetheless disappointed that such a stalwart of civic life in Angus will be going,” said the provost.
Mrs Oswald also spoke of Mr Veal’s varied professional and personal interests, including family mediation involvement and his love of music.
Mr Veal’s retiral coincided with the closure of Arbroath Sheriff Court and the transfer of business to Forfar.
“I deem it to have been an extraordinary privilege to have served as the resident sheriff in this court and jurisdiction for the past 21 years, and I can honestly say that, notwithstanding the pressures of the judicial office that I held, I enjoyed every minute of my long period of service,” he told last night’s gathering.
He paid tribute to the departments of the local authority with which he said the court maintained “co-operative and vibrant relationships”, including the social work department, child care teams, housing department and the council’s own legal unit.
Mr Veal also spoke fondly of attending the Kirkin’ of the Council which had allowed himself and his wife, Monica, to enjoy some beautiful scenery.