James Clarke: Liverpool mural for swimming hero who saved dozens
Credited with saving dozens of children and adults from drowning on Merseyside in the early 20th Century, James Clarke is known as the first black man to have a street named after him in Liverpool.A mural celebrating the "true hero" and his achievements will be officially unveiled in the city next week.The mural, painted by renowned artist John Culshaw, will be the third in a series of works commissioned by charity Mandela8 to celebrate community role models.Mr Clarke's family praised the "beautiful artistic tribute" which they said would ensure his heroics are celebrated for generations to come.
Who was James Clarke?
James Clarke was born in 1886 in British Guiana, now Guyana, on the northern tip of South America.When he was 14 years old, he stowed away on a ship bound for Liverpool.He was later adopted by an Irish family who were living on Scotland Road.He died in 1946.
Why was he regarded as a hero?
A talented athlete, Mr Clarke worked on Liverpool's docks.He excelled at water sports and was credited with saving dozens of children and adults from drowning in canals, docks and the River Mersey.The Wavertree Swimming Club member also taught countless children how to swim.He also found time to coach police boxing and swimming teams.
Mr Clarke was awarded several medals for swimming and for rescuing people from drowning.Plaques dedicated to his memory have been unveiled at Eldonian Village Hall in Vauxhall and at Liverpool Aquatics Centre. The one at Eldonian Village Hall, describing him as a "multiple life-saver", read: "Despite his fame, James was a humble and helpful person."He was also celebrated in "Inspirational Black Scousers" tours at the Museum of Liverpool last year.Mr Clarke's silver chain, featuring his medals, are on display in the museum's The People's Republic exhibition.A framed certificate which he received from the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society for diving into West Waterloo Dock to rescue a man from drowning on 14 February 1911 is also on show.The museum's lead curator Kay Jones said: "James Clarke left an incredible legacy on the city that is still visible today - physically through the street named after him, but also crucially through the lives of the many people he saved from drowning and their descendants across the world."Teaching local children how to swim - after rescuing many of them from the Leeds and Liverpool canal - inevitably had huge positive impacts upon generations of local families."
'Beautiful tribute'
Sonia Bassey MBE, chairwoman of the Mandela8 charity which commissioned the mural in partnership with Riverside Foundation, described Mr Clarke as a "true local hero, saving many people from drowning in the Mersey and teaching so many others to swim so they could save themselves".Mr Clarke's grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren said they were "truly honoured and deeply grateful" for the "beautiful artistic tribute" which would ensure he is celebrated for generations to come.They said his story was one of "strength and perseverance". "Despite facing racism and physical abuse, he never let those struggles define him," they said."Instead, he rose above them to become a pillar of his community, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire not just our family but so many others."In today's world, where immigration is often spoken about negatively, his life shows the true impact of those who come here, work hard, and dedicate themselves to helping others."His resilience and unwavering spirit remind us all that it's not where you start but how you choose to move forward that truly matters."Mr Clarke is said to have often told his children: "Let colour be your last excuse, not your first".His family said that powerful message had been passed down through the generations, "reminding us that the true value lies in our actions and the choices we make".They added: "This mural embodies that message - a powerful reminder of his selflessness and unwavering commitment to making a difference in his community."
The mural will be officially unveiled at 13:30 BST on Wednesday at Athol Village on Leigh Bridge Way, Liverpool.
Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BreakingNews.ie
2 hours ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Irish people avoid chats about religion, politics, and money, research reveals
Despite loving gossip and a chat, some topics still stay firmly off the table for Irish people, with the top three being religion, politics, and money. New research from Lyons Tea has revealed that religion tops the list of most avoided topics, with 43 per cent of people saying they actively avoid it in conversation. Politics follows at 36 per cent, with money and finances close behind at 35 per cent. Advertisement When it comes to a chat over a cuppa, it is all about family, friends, and a bit of gossip. More than half of Irish people (53 per cent) say their favourite thing to talk about over a cup of tea is friends and family, ahead of news and current affairs (30 per cent), travel plans (26 per cent), and hobbies (26 per cent). Over a quarter also admit their go-to tea time chat is catching up on the latest local gossip (26 per cent). The research also found that while Irish people are fluent in small talk, they are far less likely to open up when it comes to mental health and personal issues. Advertisement Nearly one in three (30 per cent) avoid discussing personal struggles, and 21 per cent steer clear of conversations around mental health altogether. A nation of talkers Despite this, Ireland still stands out as a country that prioritises real-world connection. While people in the UK and US average just 33–35 minutes of face-to-face chat a day, Irish adults clock in at nearly 2.27 hours—almost four times more. Head of Marketing IRL at Lyons Tea, Fiona Collins, said: 'Ireland has always been a nation of talkers—and our research shows we still prefer face-to-face conversation more than most. "But even so, we're not talking nearly enough, especially when it comes to the things that really matter. Between busy lives and digital distractions, those meaningful chats are happening less than they should. 'With our 'Puts the Talk Into Tea' campaign, we're on a mission to encourage people to make time for proper chats—topics big and small. "A cup of tea has always acted as a way to check in, sit down, and say what's on your mind. We've been putting the talk into tea for decades, and we're proud to continue that legacy.'
Wales Online
21 hours ago
- Wales Online
100-day fight ends with gates which cut off Cwmparc community from countryside removed
100-day fight ends with gates which cut off Cwmparc community from countryside removed One of the leaders of the campaign calling for the gates' removal said that people were walking around the village 'with a smile on their faces' now that they'd won their fight Campaigner Richard Clarke said "everybody is delighted" that the gates have finally come down (Image: Richard Clarke ) Local residents are "delighted" after huge gates which "cut them off" from the countryside on their doorsteps were removed, following a passionate campaign lasting 116 days. The gates, which blocked a popular path to Cwmparc forestry that had been used by dog walkers, horse riders, cyclists and even school children for decades, were erected overnight in February and caused uproar in the local community. Local residents from Cwmparc and surrounding villages in Rhondda quickly set up a petition calling for their removal which gathered over 4,000 signatures and embarked on a campaign, which became known as 'Gategate'. The gates were put up by homeowners who moved to the area last year and said they had "no choice" but to act after their entrance was allegedly abused. However, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council found that the gates obstructed the highway and issued an enforcement notice in April for them to be taken down. Richard Clarke, one of the campaign leaders who was involved from the outset, said the community were "delighted" that the gates were finally taken down on Friday (June 13) so that people could spend time on their beloved mountainside once more. Article continues below "We're absolutely delighted," said Mr Clarke. "Everybody in Cwmparc and Treorchy is over the moon. I feel that the fight we've had for the last 116 days has been worthwhile." Vicarage Terrace residents Philip and Rhiannon were some of the first to enjoy the path again on Friday (Image: Richard Clarke ) He added that since the gates had been removed, the campaign group had received "hundreds" of congratulatory messages. Get the latest Rhondda news first by signing up to our newsletter here "This fight has touched so many people's lives and you don't know how much until the hundreds of messages come in afterwards saying how the gates have affected people," Mr Clarke explained. He said it had been "heartwarming" to see people get back what they had missed out on and hear people's stories. Now, the people who have scattered their loved ones ashes on the mountain have access to it once more, dogs are happy to be back on their favourite walk and people have the space they claimed was so important to their mental health back. Back in February, when the gates were first put up, locals spoke to WalesOnline and said it felt "beyond cruel to be cut off from the countryside". Cwmparc resident Esther Nagle, 52, was one of many who had enjoyed using the mountain path since she moved to the village 11 years ago and said the forestry walk "means everything" to her. Hiedi Jo Redwood, 29, might have moved away from Cwmparc, but said she still visited the area regularly to feel close to her mum, whose ashes she scattered on the mountain two years ago. She said: "This mountain walk means more to me than words can say, and even now to this day it holds such sentiment and value to me, and it always will. It allows me peaceful solitude to walk, reminisce, cry, pray, and grieve." The huge gates in Vicarage Terrace, Cwmparc were erected in February (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) Locals called for the gates' removal for four months and saw a passionate campaign build throughout the valley. 'No to the gate' posters and stickers appeared throughout Cwmparc and Treorchy, and a peaceful protest was held outside the homeowner's property, despite a weather warning being in place. After "hours and hours" of work and organisation by Mr Clarke and others involved in the campaign, including David Williams, John Warren and Anne Davies, the council served an enforcement notice ordering the removal of the obstruction to the highway between Vicarage Terrace and the forestry by June 8. However, the gates remained and it appeared that a path had been constructed by the homeowners to bypass the gates, leading to a tense moment earlier this week when the campaigners were unsure whether the council would accept this new form of access, which Mr Clarke described as "far inferior". He explained that the gates continued to act as "physical obstruction" to the established highway rights but also stood as a reminder of what was "taken" from the community. The council agreed that the access arrangements were not suitable and on Thursday, RCT council leader Andrew Morgan issued a statement calling for the gates to be removed within days. He added: "If the gates are not removed, then the council will dispatch contractors to remove them." He said the homeowners had the weekend to fulfil the legal order Mr Clarke was at the site on Friday after the gates were removed and said he was met with "many happy faces". The gates were removed on Friday (Image: Richard Clarke ) Wasting no time, he was back out enjoying the walk that so many had been missing before 9.30am on Saturday, when he was stopped by a group of walkers who thanked him for his work during the campaign. "I'm sure I will meet many more this morning and I'm sure they'll all have a smile on their face," Mr Clarke said. "It's important that it's not about me - it's about the community. It's an amazing community to be a part of. "This was a community fight and we just helped give it a bit of direction and force and then they supported it in huge numbers. Today, people are just walking around with a smile on their face and practically every house in Cwmparc has a 'no to the gate poster in their windows. It's just a phenomenal sight to see. You won't see anything like that again." Article continues below He thanked the community for its support during the campaign and said there was only one thing for people to do going forward: "Get out there and enjoy the mountain. Do it peacefully and take your litter with you. Everyone should visit the beautiful Treorchy and Cwmparc and help the community and its local businesses flourish."
BreakingNews.ie
2 days ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Ireland's Greenest Places: Gain recognition for your favourite outdoor space
The details of the search for Ireland's Greenest Places 2025 have been announced. Anyone living in a community, village, suburb, or town anywhere on the island of Ireland can help their favourite outdoor space gain the title of one of Ireland's Greenest Places. Advertisement The initiative, launched by The Irish Times in association with Electric Ireland, will see each nominated place judged on specific criteria. This will include its beneficial environmental impact, the level of ongoing collective engagement by the community, and evidence of behavioural change by people. To help the place of your choice be in with a chance of claiming the title of one of Ireland's Greenest Places, you must write a short submission of up to 300 words explaining why it is so special and the tangible contribution it makes to a greener environment. Photo: Julien Behal The chair of the judging panel, Irish Times features editor Mary Minihan, said the panel will be looking for places which offer a vision of a more sustainable future. Advertisement 'We chose place because it's a deliberately broad term. People can nominate a suburb, village, town or community such as a peninsula, island or other distinct area anywhere on the island," she said. "The key will be how it measures up against the criteria outlined above as well of course as care for nature and the local environment. 'Over the next four months our judges will draw up shortlists based on the submissions, visit the front-runners, choose winners in each category and eventually choose an overall winner. "We are looking forward so much to hearing from people from each of the 32 counties as soon as possible to help us identify Ireland's Greenest Places 2025.' Advertisement Climate change Former Green Party leader and Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan, who is one of the judges, said Irish people care about climate change and are concered about its effects. He said one of the key objectives of the competition is to showcase the contributions people and communities are making to a greener Ireland. "We also know that place-based solutions deliver climate actions that really work because they are developed and underpinned by community ownership," he said. 'With this initiative we want to celebrate what's happening in so many locations around the country, share those learnings as widely as possible and encourage more people to get involved in making their community a better place to live now and into the future." Advertisement Electric Ireland's Lisa Browne said the company is proud to partner with The Irish Times as the sponsor of Ireland's Greenest Places. 'As a judge, I'm looking forward to seeing the wonderful stories come in from communities around Ireland and their journey to a more sustainable life," she said. "This partnership is the perfect fit with our strategy to empower customers to live an all-electric life and to help customers to see how big or small changes can make a real difference.' Joining Mary Minihan and Lisa Browne on the judging panel will be Irish Times environment editor Kevin O'Sullivan and senior features writer Rosita Boland. If you know a place in Ireland that deserves recognition for its contribution to a greener future, submit your nomination here .
