sentences:  Formerly the Sheriff was the principal law enforcement officer in a county but over the centuries most of the responsibilities associated with the post have been transferred elsewhere or are now defunct, so that its functions are now largely ceremonial.The Sheriff changes every March.On 1 April 1974, under the provisions of the Local Government Act 1972, the counties of Caernarvonshire, together with that of Anglesey and Merionethshire were abolished along with their shrievalties, and were replaced by the new county of Gwynedd and the new office of High Sheriff of Gwynedd.