Tributes paid to ‘popular and compassionate’ Bethan James
THE daughter of former England and Glamorgan batsman Steve James has been honoured by international cricketers and remembered as a popular, compassionate and determined student, following her sudden death aged 21.
University of South Wales student Bethan James, from Cardiff, died after being taken ill over the weekend.
Steve and his physiotherapist wife Jane posted an emotional tribute to their daughter on social media.
“We have the most indescribably devastating news that our beautiful daughter Bethan suddenly passed away on Saturday evening,” the post read.
“Our hearts are broken. She was the most wonderfully caring and kind daughter and sister to Rhys.”
Steve, who writes for The Times following his successful cricket career, was covering Wales’ Six Nations match against Ireland in Dublin when Bethan fell ill and he rushed home.
She died on Saturday night.
England players wore black armbands in their latest Twenty20 match against South Africa in memory of Bethan, who wanted to follow her dad into journalism.
Former Glamorgan Cricket Club captain Steve told The Times he was “honoured” by the “moving gesture” in last week’s game.
Craig Hooper, course leader of the BA Journalism course at the University of South Wales (USW), said: “Bethan was a lovely person.
“She was extremely popular on the course and had a promising career in journalism ahead of her.
“She exemplified all the best aspects of good journalism – determination, compassion and positivity. She’ll be greatly missed at USW, not only by her fellow students but by staff as well.
“Our thoughts are with her family and all those who knew her.”
Friends of the family from Steve’s birthplace of Lydney, Gloucestershire, also paid tribute to Bethan.
Colin Henderson, Paul Morris and Adrian Knox travelled to Cardiff on Sunday to pass on their condolences.
Colin said: “Stephen is a quiet unassuming guy and still takes an interest in what is going on in Lydney where he has a lot of friends.
“When we heard Bethan had passed we went to see them to pass on condolences from us and the wider community.
“The town is shattered but it’s an absolute personal tragedy for Stephen and his wife Jane.
“There’s not a lot you can say because the pain of losing a child is indescribable.
“Bethan was just the kind of really lovely girl you would expect her to be with parents like Stephen and Jane. You only have to look at the tributes on Facebook to see that.
“So is her brother Rhys. He’s such a lovely lad. When we went on Sunday you could tell he was trying to stay strong to help his mother and father through this.”
Bethan had undergone a bowel operation at a young age and was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease last year.
Following the diagnosis she was talking to the BBC about making a documentary highlighting Crohn’s disease.
Fellow journalism students from the class of 2020 wrote about their heartbreak in an emotional tribute to Bethan on their college website The Diff Daff.
They wrote: “The first thing we noticed about her was her constant happiness – which was infectious, and she was always the most positive person in the room.
“Not only that, she was always the best dressed, wearing colour consistently in a way others couldn’t.
“If there is one colour to describe her – pink. A colour that will now always remind us of her.
“Her confidence was always clear to see, and everything that came her way on the course she took in her stride.
“Over the last year she has faced adversity and challenge. Her gran being unwell, and being diagnosed with Crohn’s, yet despite all this, she still smiled throughout.”
They added: “We were so proud of her with her constant fight and willingness to spread awareness of Crohn’s, and her confidence is something that has and will continue to inspire us all.
“Our hearts are hurting, and will continue to do so, as we continue to remember our friend, and a girl who will always remain with us.”