A PEMBROKESHIRE man has become the new High Sheriff of Dyfed.

The installation of James W P Lewis took place at Pen Gaer on Friday (April 17).

The position of High Sheriff is the oldest secular office under the Crown and is at least 1,000 years old, although in modern times it is dictated by the Sheriff’s Act 1887.

This year is the 800th anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta and of the 63 clauses in that document, 27 relate to The Sheriff, indicating the importance of the office in those days.

The Office is a royal appointment. It is second in precedence within the counties after The Lord Lieutenant and would involve attendance at any Royal visits. Nowadays it is largely involved with undertaking duties to support and encourage voluntary and statutory organisations engaged in all aspects of law and order.

It is customary for the High Sheriff to support a particular charity during their year of office and this year Mr Lewis has chosen the HOPE MS Therapy Centre based at Neyland.