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Above left: Richard Morris, Under Sheriff of Ceredigion, the High Sheriff and Roland Lewis, Under Sheriff of Pembrokeshire and A year of the unexpected Carmarthenshire Above: Dr Simon Hancock JP, Chair of Pembrokeshire County Council, the High THE COMMENCEMENT of my term A further privilege was to be invited Sheriff and Prof David Howell, at the launch of of office did not go exactly to plan. to read a lesson at the Divine Service at Vol 5 of An Historical Atlas of Pembrokeshire Just six weeks before the Declaration Llandaff Cathedral to mark the beginning I fractured my ankle and needed of the Legal Year. It was a truly spectacular and many other engagements and who surgery. Let’s just say that walking in occasion in all its splendour. As the county can forget, the general election? It was to my Declaration on two crutches was of Dyfed does not have a Crown Court, certainly a satisfying experience to not the scene I had envisaged! However, the opportunity to be present at legal fulfil the role of returning officer for it was a very moving ceremony at dinners in Cardiff was always appreciated. two Carmarthenshire constituencies. Trinity St David for family, dignitaries The Supreme Court visited the city in Fortunately a recount was not needed! and fellow Welsh Sheriffs, followed by a July, so it was a wonderful occasion for The High Sheriff’s presentations during wonderful champagne tea. When fully us as High Sheriffs of Wales to host a the year included the Dyfed Young Persons recovered and back on my feet, I held a magnificent dinner at the Mansion House. Trust Awards. This trust, established by further reception for representatives of Thanks are due to Dr Isabel Graham, Colonel Dai Davies during his year of the three local authorities, emergency High Sheriff of South Glamorgan, for office, gives financial support to young services and various charities. coordinating the evening. There is certainly people who, within their organisations, It was a year to remember. I a close friendship among all the Shrievalty. have displayed outstanding achievements had the pleasure of travelling to all During the year, the county was and wish for further advancement. corners of Dyfed, which consists of honoured by royal visits from TRH The culmination of the year’s activities the beautiful rural and coastal counties The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of would have been the Dyfed Shrievalty of Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Cornwall. HRH The Princess Royal also annual dinner in March. This is a special Pembrokeshire. It was rewarding to visited Dyfed on two separate occasions. evening for previous High Sheriffs, family experience such diverse occasions, from My two designated charities have been and friends to reminisce. Unfortunately, the Scouts’ weekend camp (without a Pancreatic Cancer Research and a local due to the prevailing pandemic mobile phone in sight) to a workshop for county charity Tir Dewi, helping the restrictions, the event had to be cancelled. adults with learning difficulties. farmers of west Wales in difficult times. Nevertheless it has been a tremendous I was pleased to attend the Order of I am greatly indebted to businesses and honour and privilege to serve as High St John Priory for Wales Visitation and friends who were generous with their Sheriff and I wish to thank HM Lord- Investiture at Saint David’s Cathedral, contributions to an agricultural auction Lieutenant Sara Edwards, the Under Pembrokeshire, having spent an evening in October and the ‘Christmas Ideas’ Sheriff Roland Lewis and my family for previously with the Carmarthen St John afternoon in December was also a success, their support. Ambulance cadets. The value of this with tickets being a complete sell-out. association has become so apparent in Indeed, December was a busy month Helena Lewis these challenging times. – carol concerts, citizenship ceremonies High Sheriff of Dyfed 2019-2020

Summer 2020 | High Sheriff 21