Andrew Tuggey, the High Sheriff of Gwent, was guest speaker at the recent meeting of the City of Newport Business Club.

One of the key areas he highlighted was how cutbacks in government funding had placed ever increasing pressure on the charity and community sectors.

He said that because of this, the High Sheriff's Community Fund had never been more relevant and important as a source of vital funding.

This year the fund is encouraging organisations as diverse as Chepstow Street Pastors, Senghenydd Youth Drop-in Centre, Gwent Music, the Muslim Council of Wales and many more to apply for assistance.

Mr Tuggey said once vetted, applicants would be invited to Pontypool on March 19 to present their cases and bid for a grant.

Having had a long and distinguished career in the Royal Engineers working alongside the Ghurka Regiment he has remained in contact with the settled Ghurkas here in Gwent, and was delighted to inform us that the Ghurka community had recently raised more than £15,000 for the disaster in Nepal.

Chairman of the business club Dan Goulding said: "Everyone was captivated by Andrew as he talked us through a week in the life of a modern day high sheriff, with particular reference to his involvement with fundraising on behalf of the High Sheriff’s Community Fund, and gave us an overview of the historical beginnings of the role.”

The next speaker will be Peter James, MD of Newport-based Cintec International.

Peter is the ‘go to’ person if you have a structural problem with a building of significant historical interest. His firm has worked on the Pyramids, The Vatican and The White House among others.

Peter will be speaking on Thursday, March 10, 2016. The event, which will be held at the Celtic Manor Resort, is open to all business people. Tickets cost £30.

To find out more about the City of Newport Business Club and to book places at the next event visit www.newportbusinessclub.co.uk.