THE new High Sheriff of Devon, the Countess of Devon, was sworn in at her home at Powderham Castle on Tuesday last week.

Her term in office will last 12 months. She succeeds Phillip Tuckett.

After being sworn in and signing her declaration, the new High Sheriff appointed her Under Sheriff, Simon Barnett, her Deputy Under Sheriff Tim Richards, her Sheriff's Officer Simon Charles Bastin.

The High Sheriff also appointed her chaplain for the year of office. The Rev O R Tennant, of West Clyst, Exeter, has agreed to accept the position.

The Countess of Devon considered it a privilege to be nominated as High Sheriff of Devon and is very much looking forward to the year during which she can support and encourage worthwhile causes in the community.

She is keen to continue to promote Devon as the 'best place to live in England'. This was an award that was presented to the county by Country Life magazine last year.

The countess said that to be worthy of this achievement the county needed to be safe, beautiful and prosperous.

'We have inherited our lovely county from our forebears,' she said. 'I feel it is our duty to try and maintain high standards of law and order, good management, knowledge of the countryside and to encourage business into the area.

'I am keen to encourage young people to live active and fulfilling lives and am. therefore, going to support the charity Devon Crimebeat, which is the High Sheriff's own charity.

'Its aims are to encourage young people to get involved with crime reduction activities and creating safer communities'

The office of High Sheriff is the oldest secular office in the country. The earliest known Sheriff of Devon was Richard, son of Baldwin, who was appointed in 1086.

The Queen, who traditionally pricks the list of nominations with a silver bodkin, appoints the High Sheriff of each Shrievalty in England and Wales, other than Lancaster and Cornwall, in March each year. On the day of the choosing, or as soon as possible thereafter, the new High Sheriff is required to take an Oath of Office in the form of a Declaration. Once sworn in, the High Sheriff, who is a Crown Appointee, is second only in precedence to the Lord Lieutenant of the County.

The new High Sheriff was sworn in by Peter Dracup, a south Devon magistrate.