Julia and Peter Barton in their garden at Sydenhams, which is open to the public this Saturday. SS893H07 SF: Peter Barton's year as High Sheriff of Greater London showed him some of the best and the worst aspects of city life. Today he splits his time between the capital and his home near Stroud, where his wife Julia and he will be opening their garden to the public on Saturday. Sue Bradley met him.

LONDON is a world away from the peaceful countryside bordering Stroud but both are home to Peter Barton.

The businessman is well known in the capital both for his career as a banker and his tenure as the High Sheriff of Greater London during 2000.

His life on the outskirts of Bisley may be less high profile but he plays an active role in village life.

This Saturday, Peter will be joining his wife Julia when she opens their rose-filled garden to the public to raise money for All Saints' Church.

The post of high sheriff is the oldest office in Britain after the monarchy and is associated with keeping the Queen's Peace.

The role dates back more than 1,000 years, although it is now more ceremonial than in previous times when holders had the power to levy taxes, raise armies and hang outlaws.

Today's high sheriffs make visits to various courts and agencies associated with keeping law and order and take an interest in organisations such as the fire and ambulance services and voluntary bodies.

Peter's year in office took him to grand residences as well as less salubrious spots such as Belmarsh Prison and Wormwood Scrubs.

He experienced the capital from a police helicopter and a river boat on the Thames and accompanied police officers patrolling Soho, although his expectations of flashing blue lights and sirens wailing were off the mark.

"That night that part of London had never behaved so well and all was quiet," he said.

"There were surprises, I had a very happy conversation with a middle-aged prisoner in Holloway, when we talked about books, crossword puzzles and the state of the nation.

"I later found out she was in prison because she had murdered her child - I had thought she was so normal and civilised."

Other high points included organising an awards ceremony for people commended by judges for acts of bravery - and spending a morning with Customs and Excise officers at Heathrow Airport.

"A sniffer dog went over a number of suitcases and became incredibly excited over one case," he recalled.

"It turned out that the object of his interest was an Easter egg - he was a chocoholic."

Peter said the post of high sheriff, which was unpaid, may have earned him a sort of celebrity status.

But the red carpets and open doors stopped as soon as his year in office was over.

"High sheriffs as individuals are generally of no particular merit or distinction but the office of high sheriff continues to earn huge respect," he said.

"But it's important to remember that there is nothing as ex as an ex-high sheriff - which I think is very good for the soul."

Peter, who has three children and seven grandchildren, moved to Bisley in 1998 and he says his heart is very much in the village even though much of his work still takes him back to London: he is chairman of the Guinness Partnership, which provides homes for more than 100,000 people across the country, and holds various other non-executive directorships.

He recently retired from his post of deputy chairman of the Alliance and Leicester.

The garden at Sydenhams, for which Peter says his wife has to take all the credit, will be open from 2pm to 6pm on Saturday.