Received his prize... after 53-year wait

August 1977

At an open-air Irish cabaret at Terry Barrett’s, Brandane, Bannow, last Friday night, the popular Jim Hawkins of Amberstown recceived a prize he won in a hop, step and jump contest at Swansea Valley Open Sports Day in Wales in July 1924.

Jim, who had emigrated to Wales around that period, joined the famous Swansea Valley Club as it leaders were the great Martin Cullen, who is still going strong having captured the silver medal for veterans in the shot putt at Montreal last year, and the legendary Sim Purcell, who is now deceased. Both men were also natives of the Carrig-on-Bannow parish.

In 1924, through a misunderstanding, Jim Hawkins never received his prize for the hop, step and jump contest. But Martin Cullen decided that Jim should not be forgotten. So this year he sent a specially inscribed plaque home with the late Sim Purcell’s son, Bernard. On Friday evening, the entire parish assembled in Bannow to see Jim receive his award from former All-Ireland mouth organ player Phil Murphy, himself also a great sportsman.

Phil paid tribute to the Swansea Valley Athletic Club and to all the people of the parish for turning out to honour the popular Jim. He said it was a great honour for him to be asked to make the presentation on behalf of the Welsh Club.

Jim Hawkins suitably replied. He thanked his old sports colleague Martin Cullen, and the other Swansea Valley club members. He also thanked all the people for a wonderful turnout , and Mr and Mrs Barrett for a wonderful meal.

Visiting and local artists then contributed to a wonderful night’s entertainment, the highlight of which was a display of mumming by the Bannow set.