LIEUTENANT Colonel Andrew Tuggey DL was declared the new High Sheriff of Gwent in a ceremony at Monmouth Castle on Thursday 2nd April.

The ceremony involved a declaration from Lt Col Tuggey stating that he would: "Serve the Queen, behave myself, work to help the disadvantaged with mutual respect, uphold the law, not profit from my appointment and be good."

He also said: "It is a great honour to have been nominated to be High Sheriff of Gwent."

Lady Hayman-Joyce JP witnessed and signed the Lt Col Tuggey's declaration and Gill Sheddick, the outgoing High Sheriff, was on hand to hand over the role.

A former soldier who has commanded the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers in the past and worked for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Defence, Lt Col Tuggey now lives in Craig-y-Dorth near Monmouth.

The post lasts for a year and Andrew's work as High Sheriff will focus on young people, supporting the Gwent High Sheriffs' Community Fund which looks to work with people who want to make a

difference in their community.

He plans to take a keen interest in the challenges that face communities in Gwent including the empowerment of women and girls, supporting and encouraging volunteers and playing a part in the work of Gwent's Young Dragons.

The Young Dragons members include the Army, Air Force and Naval Cadet corps along with the Scouts and Girlguiding associations and St John's Ambulance, among others.

The High Sheriff will also explore what can be done to involve local businesses in developing opportunities for young people.

Appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Gwent in 2006, Andrew chairs the Gwent section of ABF The Soldiers' Charity, is president of the Monmouth Branch of the Royal Engineers Association and a vice-president of the Bridgend Male Choir.

Since leaving the Army he has worked in Parliament where he is chief executive and secretary of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK, which undertakes international relations and development work to build the capacity of developing Parliaments.

The role of High Sheriff is a non-political appointment, made by the Sovereign and is the oldest civic Office in the land, dating back more than 1,000 years. Andrew, married to Claire, has three sons and three grandchildren, and will be one of 55 High Sheriffs serving counties in England and Wales.