Lighting and fencing could be installed after cricketer's death

Work to install lighting and possibly fencing at the Groe in Builth Wells following the death of James Corfield, from Montgomery, during the Royal Welsh Show is being considered, the town council has been told.

Builth Wells county councillor Jeremy Pugh said lighting would not only improve safety, but would also enhance the look of the park area. He added that fencing at the bottom of the Groe might deter someone from going into the river.

Councillor Pugh told a recent meeting of the town council that he was going to try to push for lights at the Groe and that he had already got the chance of a significant grant to do the work.

He said the problem would be in getting an electrical feed to the lights, and the nearest place at the moment was the town council’s toilets on the Groe. Councillor Pugh said he had looked at solar lights but he was concerned that there might not be enough light coming through to keep the solar panels going all year round.

He said he wants to try and get the rugby club to help out and to take it on as a community project and town councillors also came forward with ideas including Councillor Gwyn Davies who said he may have some equipment which could help.

Regarding the fencing, Councillor Pugh said if there was a physical barrier to the river, while people might try to get over it it might equally deter someone from going into the river.

He said he would pursue both issues and report back to the next town council meeting in December.

Nineteen-year-old James’s body was recovered from the River Wye in Builth Wells in July.

He had not been seen since he left the White Horse pub in the town five days earlier. The teenager, who lived on a farm in Montgomery, had been attending the Royal Welsh Show and was camping with friends at the showground.

After failing to meet up with his family at the show later that day James was reported missing and the alarm was raised.

An inquest was opened and adjourned at Aberdare in August by coroner Andrew Barkley, who said he did not suspect any third party involvement.

The full inquest was due to take place at Welshpool Magistrates Court on Friday, but was only held as a pre-inquest review. The full inquest will now take place on January 12.