WITH a family who have served proudly in the Army for years, Gwent's new high sheriff has spent most of her life travelling the world with them.

But on Friday, Lady Diana Hayman-Joyce begins her own role in the spotlight, becoming the 471st person to take over the role.

Born in Dorset, the 63-year-old married is Lieutenant General Sir Robert Hayman-Joyce, who has had a distinguished Army career.

From the age of 20, she travelled to places like Germany, America and India with her husband, who became a Master of the Ordnance, a senior position within the Army.

They returned to the UK and used to visit Wales, before setting up home in Mamhilad, where they have lived for the past 23 years.

Both of her sons also served in the Army, but now work in the IT sector.

Since coming to Gwent, Lady Hayman-Joyce has spent a considerable amount of time as a magistrate, often chairing the bench at courts in the county and the youth panel. It is this experience of the justice system she wants to build on.

She was sworn in as Gwent's high sheriff on Friday at the Sessions House in Usk, taking over from Hugh Phillips.

“You can't say you enjoy something like that but it is satisfying work to try and do something towards helping crime in the community," she said.

The mother-of-two aims to work closely with projects helped by the Gwent High Sheriff’s Community Fund, which supports projects for young people.

A recent success of this was the youth cycling project Buzz of Blaina, which was awarded a grant by the fund to further its work.

This paid off, as the young people's group recently won the community impact award at The Prince's Trust Celebrate Success Awards.

Lady Hayman-Joyce plans to develop other initiatives for teenagers.

She said: "We have found they are often homeless and there is nowhere for them to go. There's very little provision for people who fall foul of the law and I want to help change that."

In her spare time, Lady Hayman-Joyce enjoys nothing more than riding her eventing horses, which compete at a high level.

One of them Maybee IV, could compete at the Olympics.

Her husband, who now works for a defence company, is also chairman of the Olympia horse show committee.

PANEL ON Saturday, 15 local community groups were awarded grants from the Gwent High Sheriff's Community Fund and the Gwent Police property fund.

Pill Bank Lane community action group was one of six to receive £2,340, including Blaenau Gwent domestic abuse services, Duffryn community link and the previously mentioned Buzz youth group.

Tredegar youth cafe received £1964, Solas Cymru was awarded £2322 to continue its work with the homeless while Bullies Out was given £1610 and the Lliswerry out of school club, £1545.

Other clubs to benefit were:

  • South East Wales Racial Equality Council (SEWREC), £1520,
  • The Kaleidoscope Project, £1280
  • Kidz R Us, £2340
  • Woodlands Field Ltd, £2340
  • Life Music Foundation, £2340
  • Newport Cycle Speedway Club, £1520
  • Never Never Club, £1840