THE new High Sheriff of Powys was sworn in with a low key declaratio in line with Government guidelines due to the pandemic.

Peter R James of Llanwrtyd Wells had a, socially distanced ceremony.

The ceremony took place in lovely sunshine, on the balcony of the Drovers rest overlooking the river Irfon in Llanwrtyd Wells with two members of Peters family in attendance.

The official declaration was carried out by the undersheriff, Philip Evans, Ingrid Gallagher (Justice of the Peace for Breconshire) and the outgoing High Sheriff Rhian Duggan.

The declaration should have been held at Christ College Brecon but this had to be cancelled due to current pandemic guidelines. This was disappointing for all concerned particularly for Christ College who had given their time and effort in planning what should have been a celebratory event for all concerned.

The role of the High Sheriff dates back over a thousand years and has changed over time.Todays role includes, acting as a returning officer for Parliamentary elections, supporting the Crown and Judiciary , working with the emergency services, and the voluntary sector.

I have lived in Llanwrtyd Wells for over fifty years and have worked within the Community in many ways supporting and working with many local charities such as the Rotary in Builth Wells,as judge to the“young chef of the year” awards. I have worked within the community as a retained firefighter, as a Town Councillor , six years of which was in the capacity of Mayor, and local organisations and committees. I am a local business man and have run The Drovers Rest Restaurant for thirty-one years and have worked in hospitality for forty-nine years being a spokesperson for tourism and business in the area. I was awarded the MBE in 2006 for services to the catering industry and to the Community of Powys Wales. I was awarded the silver Kite award of merit by Powys County Council in 2017 also for services to the Community.

In my new role, throughout the year, I will be supporting four charities which are close to my heart . These are: Credu Carers in Powys, the DPJ foundation which supports metal health issues in rural communities, especially males in agriculture, the Dolwen Field project which is being developed for recreation and relaxation for all abilities and ages within Llanwrtyd and its outlying communities and finally the LGBT Community in rural mid Wales.

It gives me great pleasure to be appointed to this esteemed position and I look forward to travelling the length and breadth of Powys, when Covid rules allow , to meet, face to face, those who, I know, have given, during this past year, and continue to give, so much to their communities .