Badfinger's Pete Ham had not received a large amount of recognition in his hometown of Swansea, South Wales over the years. Keith James (the Badfinger File fanzine editor) and Marilyn Jones (of the library system) set out to do something about this oversight. They organized a two-week exhibition from June 12 to June 24, 2000, which honored Pete and his accomplishments. Following is a report from some of those attending the events:

Also remember to visit Brennan's Page for comments and feelings from former Iveys members Ron Griffiths and David Jenkins

click on scans for larger images

BEVERLEY TUCKER (ex-girlfriend of Pete Ham)
The opening night was very moving. Bob Jackson spoke. I thought Bob probably would be the best person. Marilyn [Jones] asked me, but I did not feel emotionally strong enough to do something like that. I knew Bob would hit the right balance between the light side as well as the dark. I knew he would hit the right balance and he did. It was really good. Everyone was very complimentary about the whole thing. It was wonderful to see Dai. Marilyn was absolutely wonderful. She worked so hard, so committed to doing it, and doing it right, trying to take everybody's feelings into account. Keith was answering questions, he was so nice. It was so effective. I think they should seriously consider bringing it over to the states. I found it quite emotional, there were times in the evening I found myself just hanging on. I was amazed at how people I hadn't seen for years and years still remembered me from twenty-five or thirty years ago.

People were coming down the following day. Pete's old Sunday school teacher, people who went to school with him, people bringing photos. It was amazing really. Lots of display boards, posters, and family photos, photos of all his bands, loads and loads of memorabilia. A video was going all the time, and music was going in the background.

GAYNOR GIBBINS (MIKE GIBBINS ex-wife)
Wonderful, really excellent, a good night had by all, I think. Lovely to see John Ham, 'cause I hadn't seen him in a long time. I was alright until I saw him actually, and I just started crying because I just didn't expect to see him. I was thinking that's what Pete would be like now.

So many people have gone to see the displays since it opened, people like his Sunday school teacher, and people are writing things in a commemorative book. It's really nice.

MARILYN JONES (organized Pete tribute for Swansea Central Library)
It was wonderful, just so busy and the atmosphere was so nice, very relaxed. Everybody really had a very good time because, for a lot of people, it was a reunion. You could see people were generally having a good time. I was quite touched as many people brought their children who are grown-up themselves. A happy bringing together of people.

It's been very, very busy at the exhibition. People have been very moved. You can see people have been quite staggered when they come in and see the size of it. A very valid study, lots of people remember Peter and the Ham family. The booklet is nice because it touches on different things. It helps to crystallize things in people's minds. Some of Pete's relatives have made it in. We had the Ivor Novello awards on display the first night and then we put up photographs of them for security reasons. Pete's Sunday school teacher came in and wrote a beautiful comment. Many people have come from out of town. A lot of comments in the visitors book, 'wasn't that a great time,' the comments are touching.

JOHN HAM (Pete's brother)
My wife, Maureen and I went along to the opening and had a look and we saw a lot of people we hadn't seen for a long time: Alwyne Jenkins, David Jenkins, Les Saville, Ron Griffiths, Owen Money, Alwyne Jackson. I think it went very well. It seemed very good. There's an immense amount of interest in town. Wherever I go people are saying "I've seen this thing on your brother." I think it has worked out well, especially for the people who put so much work into it.

BOB JACKSON (Badfinger member, and friend of Pete's)
It was a bit of a whirlwind trip to Swansea and back in a day(!), but it was well worthwhile. So many old friends and faces there- it was a social reunion as much as anything. I was asked to say a few words at the beginning of the night . It was pretty nerve-racking, but the sea of smiles made it easier.( Once or twice I, briefly, reflected on the past with the feeling that I so often have- that there was so much more to be done, but otherwise the evening was very positive). There was such a variety of archive stuff on display from over the years( including Pete's first band's first photo). A very fitting tribute and credit must go to Keith and Marilyn for all the planning and hard work. A wonderful relaxed evening - I was so pleased that, at last, Pete got his own show.