Three very different events in January have brought home to me the long-standing and positive role of the Army in the life of Powys, especially in the south of the county.

Since the Battle of Rorke’s Drift of January 1879, when seven VCs were awarded to members of the Brecon-based 24th Regiment of Foot – later the South Wales Borderers, there has been a strong comradeship between the Zulu people and Brecon. On January 18, His Excellency the High Commissioner of South Africa attended a reception at the Regimental Museum in Brecon where we enjoyed the exuberant music of Busi Mlanga. There was a service the following day in the Cathedral. I will be going to the ACF Rorke’s Drift Concert in Theatr Brycheiniog on February 22.

But the military connection is not just historical: Powys is of major importance for the modern Army, with the Infantry Battle School and the Headquarters of the Welsh Brigade located in Brecon, and Brecon having strong links with the Brigade of Gurkhas too. The Beacons are a vital training ground, and many British soldiers will pass through the Sennybridge Training Area and the camp in the town. Indeed, if you meet soldiers in different parts of country and you say you are from Powys, you will often hear tales of exercises in the rain on the Sennybridge ranges (not always remembered fondly!). I was privileged in January to visit Sennybridge and to meet the Officer Commanding, and also the outstanding team of civilians who support the Army there.

The indirect benefit that the Army’s presence in the county has been recognised by politicians of all parties. The Army employs a large number of civilians directly, and the presence of soldiers in the community brings a lot of trade to local businesses. The diversity of our community is increased, especially by the wonderful Gurkhas, and there are opportunities for young people through the cadet forces. And the annual Remembrance Day Parade in Brecon, where I was privileged to be on the saluting dais, is a solemn opportunity to remember the sacrifices the armed forces have made for our freedom.

The third event I attended was the funeral of Major General the Reverend Morgan Llewellyn in Llangattock on January 10. Morgan was one of the most wonderful people I have ever met. His obituaries in the Times and the Telegraph show how much he did for the Army and the community. His example of service should be a lesson to us all. And it was his army background that was the bedrock of that community service.

We are so very fortunate to have units of the modern Army based in Powys, to have many retired soldiers living here and enhancing our community life, and to have a tradition of military that goes back centuries.

I’d be delighted to hear from anyone who thinks I can help their organisation over the next three months. Email me [email protected] or message on my Facebook page High Sheriff of Powys, or on X.