Royal Welsh must learn from tragedy

THIS summer, tens of thousands of young farmers will descend on the village of Llanelwedd in the heart of mid Wales.

After a two-year hiatus during the pandemic, the Royal Welsh Show will return as the biggest agricultural event of its kind in Europe, attracting people from far and wide.

And while the teenagers and young people rushing to set up camp in the Young People’s Village will of course be interested in the livestock and highlights of the main ring, most likely their focus will be on a social event like no other after tough months of lockdown – particularly for those who have spent it in isolated rural communities.

For one family, however, this year’s Royal Welsh will mark five years since an unthinkable tragedy left a dark shadow not just on loved ones but over the tight-knit community of Montgomeryshire.

On July 25, 2017 19-year-old James Corfield was reported missing while staying over at the Royal Welsh Show for the first time. The previous night he had left the showground and went to a nearby pub in town, as many of his friends had done. But at some point on his way home James disappeared.

His body was found in the River Wye six days later. A coroner concluded his death was accidental and that he had likely drowned after being suddenly immersed in cold water. One police inspector suggested the teenager had entered the water in an attempt to reach the Young People’s Village.

In the years of grief that followed, James’ family have not returned to the show. They believe their son’s death could have been avoided had organisers taken the safety of their young attendees seriously.

Not only are they concerned about a lack of fences by the river or safety measures on the nearby busy road, as well as the absence of nighttime stewards at an event which can be difficult to navigate even in daylight – but also about the drinking culture which has long been present in the sea of tents and caravans by the showground.

Those from farming communities across Wales know the Royal Welsh is a rite of passage for many young people. But it should not be one that puts the safety and wellbeing of its future farmers at risk, especially when, for many, it will likely be one of their first big nights out after turning 18.

It should not be for a grieving mother to have to point out where organisers let her son down, and why they must not do the same to others. It is now up to the Royal Welsh to prove that it has listened and learnt – in James’ memory.