Mr J Owen, Mrs Phillips, Mr RWP Jones, Mr WH Phillips, Mrs Jones, Mrs ELC Taylor, Mr ALP Lewis

On Friday 30^th April 2010 the Old Breconian Association had the pleasure to honour two of its members who had recently been ‘declared' to office of High Sheriff - W Hugh Philips (SH, 52-59) for Gwent and Rowland W P Jones (SHR, 68-73) for West Glamorgan.

All those present agreed that it must be the first time Christ College have had two High Sheriffs in the same year. Nearly 70 OB's and guests joined together at the Cardiff & County Club in Cardiff to enjoy a celebratory meal which was further enhanced by a most memorable speech given by Old Breconian Jamie Owen (Donaldson's, 79-86) currently presenter of both BBC Wales Today news and presenter on BBC Radio Wales. Combining tales of the two High Sheriffs' past in school and more current times with comments about the impending election; the audience were captured by his delivery and charm.

Prior to Jamie Owen's speech, the Master of Ceremonies for the evening, Andrew L P Lewis (OBA vice-chairman) had introduced Head of Christ College Mrs Emma Taylor who gave a brief ‘state of the nation' address on Christ College today.

Both guests of honour were surrounded by familiar faces; Hugh by ‘half of Gwent' who had arrived in a Williams coach to keep the Brecon connection going; Rowland was kept company by many of his 1^st XV team mates from 1971. He was part of a formidable front row together with J Gareth Evans (Don, 68-73) and John D R Williams (SHB, 66-72). Six others of that team were there to celebrate with him and Robert F J M Cross (capt.) sent a message of congratulations from the Middle East where he is now working. Most of them had not seen each other for nearly 40 years but all promised to meet again in 2011! There was also a special word in the programme from the rugby coach of that time – Don M Jackson – who highlighted what a great team they were and wished them all well.

The evening concluded with some brief words of thanks from Hugh and Rowland after which many retired to the bar for drinks and reminiscences before finally leaving.

Finally the OBA would like to wish both a successful year in office especially as returning officers for the General Election this week.

Old Breconian Rowland Jones was sworn in as the High Sheriff of West Glamorgan on the 30th March 2010.

Brought up in Ystradgynlais, he began his education began at Penrhos Primary school and from there at the age of 9 he went to a small preparatory school just outside Aberystwyth called Abermâd where he spent 4 reasonably happy years not achieving any great academic success but learning a great deal about rugby, fishing with nightlines, tunnelling and all those interesting things that boy's of that age like to do.

At the age of 13 the reality of life started to take hold and he commenced his studies at Christ College where academic life was taken rather more seriously. He still enjoyed his sport with rugby, hockey, sailing and golf playing a key role in his life and as a result found himself frequently having to complete the Satisfactory form for the lessons he attended.

After a spell at Swansea College, he obtained employment at a local firm of Chartered Surveyors Jno Oliver Watkins & Sons where he was able to gain experience at what he hoped would be his chosen profession of being a Chartered Surveyor. There then followed 4 years course at Glamorgan Polytechnic where he studied a subject that he generally enjoyed including a year in industry, no re-sits and a degree in Urban Estate Management.

He secured a job as a graduate valuer at the Valuation office and was assigned to the Merthyr Tydfil office, and worked in both the Merthyr and Rhymney Valleys. He thoroughly enjoyed the 2 years he spent working in that location and was sad when he left to take up a job with Swansea City Council in the Valuation department. In 1985 he returned to Jno Oliver Watkins & Sons as a partner and remained there until the practice was sold to General Accident in 1988. He started his own practice in 1991 and he now has a team of 16 people located in the Ethos building in SA1.

He has been married to Sian for nearly 30 years and have two girls Elizabeth and Elinor both of whom live in Cardiff.

Old Breconian Hugh Phillips was sworn in as Gwent's 470th High Sheriff at the Sessions House in Usk on the 31st March 2010. 

Hugh was born in Caerleon and brought up in Risca. After studying at Christ College and Cardiff University School of Optometry, he joined his father's optometry practice W.Phillips and Son in 1964. He retired in 1992 having built up a network of 12 practices across Gwent, but continued as a consultant until 2005.

Married to Wendy, Hugh has served as a magistrate for 28 years, is a former member and chairman of the Gwent Prison Monitoring Board and past member of Gwent Probation Board. He is also chairman of the trustees of Sight Support.

“I am extremely proud to be invited to be the 470th High Sheriff of Gwent and follow in the footsteps of the many distinguished people who have held this position since 1540," he said.

Below is a gallery of photos taken during the evening.