ROSETTES and trophies are part and parcel of Royal Welsh Show week, but there was a particularly poignant presentation made in the sheep ring on Monday afternoon.
The James Corfield Trophy – awarded for excellence in the Kerry Hill Society section of sheep judging – was presented to the recipient by James’ teenage sister Emma, who admitted the occasion was emotional for both her and her family.
Emma, 17, wasn’t even in her teens when older brother James died at the 2017 Royal Welsh Show. The 19-year-old was found in the River Wye on July 30 after he’d been reported missing by friends after a night out on Monday, July 24, the first day of the show. A large-scale police search was triggered the next day when he was reported missing after failing to meet his family at the show. An inquest in 2018 ruled his death an accident.
While, for most people attending the showground in Llanelwedd, just outside Builth Wells, this week, the return of the event after a three-year coronavirus-enforced hiatus has been long overdue, Emma admitted on Monday that being back in Builth brings back awful memories. However, she is also thankful as the award, renamed in James’ honour in 2018, is a way to keep his memory alive.
“From something so tragic, it’s nice that this trophy is a part of James’ legacy,” said Emma, who like her brother, is a Welshpool High School pupil
“It’s something we can do every year to remember him. It was emotional presenting the award because it just brings everything back, but it’s definitely a positive thing to do. The Royal Welsh is an iconic event and especially for our family, so it’s nice that we now get to have that close link to the show and to James.”
The award – formerly the John Brick Perpetual Challenge Cup, renamed the James Corfield Trophy for excellence within the Kerry Hill Society – was presented to this year’s winner Eleanor Owens by Emma on the show’s opening day.
It was launched in 2018 by Welsh Government rural affairs minister Lesley Griffiths on the first anniversary of talented Montgomery cricketer James’ death.
The plate may be given to the winner as a memento, whereas the cup stays with the breed society.
Sixth form student Emma added: “It’s for the best of breed of the Kerry Hills, it’s the breed the family has always had.
“We thought that was the breed to go for and that it would be quite nice to give something to the best in class, to recognise them, and do it in memory of James.
“Leslie Griffiths suggested doing something and we chose the Kerry Hills. We thought it was a really nice idea and, again, something we can do every year to remember James.
“After (the disruption to the show caused by) Covid over the last few years, it seems an especially nice way to keep his memory alive.”
In the wake of James’ death, safety improvements were recommended following a review and introduced at the Royal Welsh Show – including a ‘Green Route’ between Builth, the showground, Penmaenau Farm and the YFC Young People’s Village, and a new safety fence between the Groe car park and river.
More medical services are also now available as well as a new welfare facility, while street pastors roam the streets on the lookout for any revellers in distress.
A cricket match, meanwhile, was held earlier this month to honour James leading up to the fifth anniversary of his tragic death.
The James Corfield Excellence in Cricket High School match took place at Montgomery Cricket Club between Welshpool High School and Newtown High School on Tuesday, July 12.
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