In this week's diary Sheriff of Norwich Derek James urges you to attend a special city event - and checks out the latest trends at a charity fashion show.

What are you doing next Wednesday?

If you can make it then I would love to see you all at a special event taking place in the heart of the city.

At long last the Memorial Gardens are being opened... so let's make it a day to remember.

For far too many years this has been an embarrassing eyesore in front of City Hall but now, at long last, we have a memorial and gardens we can be proud of.

A fine example of how this fine city remembers and honours all those who have died fighting for our freedom.

And when you think about, it is a minor miracle how this ambitious project actually got the nod and got built at this difficult time.

This is down to a lot of sheer grit and determination by the likes of city council leader Steve Morphew, RG Carters, high-regarded Norfolk builders, the Homes and Communities Agency, English Heritage – and many more.

The result is a �2.6m restoration project which involved turning the memorial around and commissioning a thought-provoking bronze sculpture by Paul de Monchaux.

This is a project we have been waiting many years for – far too many veterans who led the campaign to get a decent memorial are no longer with us.

But we can remember them all on Wednesday, March 16, at 2pm. I hope to see you there.

Don't miss a special eight-page section of the Evening News next Wednesday – telling the story of the war memorial and the gardens. It will be a memento of a special day in the history of Norwich.

It's not often I get the chance to sit and smile at attractive women as they walk by – without risking a slap. Lord Mayor Tom Dylan and I spent a very enjoyable couple of hours at a fashion and beauty evening hosted by Jarrold.

My wife Bridgette and the Lord Mayor's consort Amy Stammers also had a good time.

We all really appreciate the time and trouble our very own department store went to, staging the show in aid of the civic charity, Rotary House for the Deaf, which the people of Norwich have taken to their hearts. And a special thank you to all the models – men, women and children. You all looked the part.

The show raised another �1,100 for Rotary House.