It’s all change at the top at Castlemartin Range as the commandant who has been in charge for six years retires from the Army.

Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Rogers, who has been a very popular commandant since arriving in 2002, has handed over his responsibilities to Lieutenant Colonel Peter Hollins.

Lieutenant Colonel Rogers and his wife, Nicky, have no plans to leave the area where they are very much a part of the community.

“It has been a huge privilege to serve at Castlemartin Range because I was not only in command of a very important training facility but it is on some of the finest coastline and best grade land in Wales, with a whole host of interesting archaeological features,’’ said Lieutenant Colonel Rogers.

“The commandant has always been very generously welcomed in the community and I am sure that Peter will be as warmly welcomed as Nicky and I have been.’’ Not only was Lieutenant Colonel Rogers the commandant but that role brought with it chairmanship of the trustees of Warren Church and a leading role in the annual RNLI Walk at Castlemartin, which raises around £4,000 annually for the RNLI. Nicky chairs the Pembroke Ladies Guild which organises the event.

Lieutenant Colonel Peter Hollins is a member of the Parachute Regiment and has served in the army for 33 years.

He had briefly left the army to become secretary of the Scottish Highland Society where he had responsibilities as treasurer, editor of the society’s publications and management of the society’s move to Stirling.

He first visited Pembrokeshire in 1976 and has relocated here from north Yorkshire. His wife, Ffiona, will be joining him next year.