1976 in Wales
Encyclopedia
This article is about the particular significance of the year 1976 to Wales
and its people
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Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
and its people
Welsh people
The Welsh people are an ethnic group and nation associated with Wales and the Welsh language.John Davies argues that the origin of the "Welsh nation" can be traced to the late 4th and early 5th centuries, following the Roman departure from Britain, although Brythonic Celtic languages seem to have...
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Incumbents
- Prince of WalesPrince of WalesPrince of Wales is a title traditionally granted to the heir apparent to the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the 15 other independent Commonwealth realms...
- Charles, Prince of WalesCharles, Prince of WalesPrince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay... - Princess of WalesPrincess of WalesPrincess of Wales is a British courtesy title held by the wife of The Prince of Wales since the first "English" Prince of Wales in 1283.Although there have been considerably more than ten male heirs to the throne, there have been only ten Princesses of Wales. The majority of Princes of Wales...
- vacant - Secretary of State for WalesSecretary of State for WalesThe Secretary of State for Wales is the head of the Wales Office within the British cabinet. He or she is responsible for ensuring Welsh interests are taken into account by the government, representing the government within Wales and overseeing the passing of legislation which is only for Wales...
- John MorrisJohn Morris, Baron Morris of AberavonJohn Morris, Baron Morris of Aberavon, KG, PC, QC is a retired British politician. He was a Labour Member of Parliament from 1959 to 2001 and Secretary of State for Wales from 1974 to 1979.-Background and education:... - Archbishop of WalesArchbishop of WalesThe post of Archbishop of Wales was created in 1920 when the Church in Wales was separated from the Church of England , and disestablished...
- Gwilym Owen WilliamsGwilym Owen WilliamsGwilym Owen Williams was Bishop of Bangor from 1957 to 1982 and Anglican Archbishop of Wales from 1971 to 1982....
Events
- February - Charles, Prince of WalesCharles, Prince of WalesPrince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay...
, becomes commander of HMS Bronington. - March 1 - Merlyn Rees ends Special Category StatusSpecial Category StatusIn July 1972, William Whitelaw, the British government's Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, granted Special Category Status to all prisoners convicted of Troubles-related offences...
for those sentenced for scheduled terroristTerrorismTerrorism is the systematic use of terror, especially as a means of coercion. In the international community, however, terrorism has no universally agreed, legally binding, criminal law definition...
crimes relating to the civil violence in Northern IrelandNorthern IrelandNorthern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. - June–September A very hot summer brings a major drought with water shortages.
- 24 September Former Submarine Commander Neil RutherfordNeil RutherfordLt Cmdr Neil Rutherford, DSC. Born 15 May 1922, died 24 September 1976. Cremated North Wales. He saw active service in the Second World War and in Korea. In 1958 he served with the Underwater Weapons Material Dept...
, DSC & Bar murders four people at the Red Gables Hotel in PenmaenmawrPenmaenmawrPenmaenmawrConwyPenmaenmawr is a town in the parish of Dwygyfylchi, in Conwy County Borough, Wales. The population was 3857 in 2001. It is a quarrying town, though the latter is no longer a major employer, on the North Wales coast between Conwy and Llanfairfechan.The town was bypassed by the A55...
. - 7 December - Princess Lilian, Duchess of HallandPrincess Lilian, Duchess of HallandPrincess Lilian, Duchess of Halland is a Welsh former fashion model who has been a member of the Swedish Royal Family since marrying Prince Bertil , an uncle of King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, in 1976.-Early life:Born in Swansea, Wales, the daughter of William John Davies and wife Gladys Mary...
(formerly Lilian Davies of Swansea) marries Prince Bertil of Sweden after a 30-year relationship. - The InterCity 125InterCity 125The InterCity 125 was the brand name of British Rail's High Speed Train fleet. The InterCity 125 train is made up of two power cars, one at each end of a fixed formation of Mark 3 carriages, and is capable of , making the train the fastest diesel-powered locomotive in regular service in the...
high-speed train runs for the first time between Swansea and London (Paddington). - Operation JulieOperation JulieOperation Julie was a UK police investigation into the production of LSD by two drug rings during the mid-1970s. The operation, involving 11 police forces over a two-and-a-half year period, resulted in the break-up of one of the largest LSD manufacturing operations in the world...
results in the break-up of one of the largest LSD manufacturing operations in the world. Lewis Daly, a lecturer at University of Wales, LampeterUniversity of Wales, LampeterUniversity of Wales, Lampeter is a university in Lampeter, Wales. Founded in 1822 by royal charter, it is the oldest degree awarding institution in Wales and may be the third oldest in England and Wales after Oxford and Cambridge...
, is one of those convicted of illegally manufacturing and selling the drug. - The Welsh Regional Office of the European Community opens in CardiffCardiffCardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
. - Miners’ leader Dai FrancisDai Francis (trade union leader)Dai Francis was a Welsh trade unionist, best remembered for his leadership of the South Wales Miners' Union during the 1970s. As a member of the Gorsedd of the National Eisteddfod of Wales, he took the bardic name Dai o'r Onllwyn. He was the father of MP Hywel Francis.Francis was born at...
challenges Charles, Prince of WalesCharles, Prince of WalesPrince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay...
, in the election for Chancellor of the University of WalesUniversity of WalesThe University of Wales was a confederal university founded in 1893. It had accredited institutions throughout Wales, and formerly accredited courses in Britain and abroad, with over 100,000 students, but in October 2011, after a number of scandals, it withdrew all accreditation, and it was...
. - David EmanuelDavid Emanuel (fashion designer)David Emanuel is a Welsh fashion designer who is, perhaps, best known for having designed the wedding dress worn by Diana, Princess of Wales in 1981.-Early years:Born and brought up in Bridgend , David Emanuel excelled in music...
marries Elizabeth WeinerElizabeth EmanuelElizabeth Emanuel is a fashion designer who, along with husband David Emanuel, is best known for her 1981 work for the wedding of Diana, Princess of Wales...
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Arts and literature
- Dic JonesDic JonesDic Jones , was a Welsh language poet and the Archdruid of the National Eisteddfod of Wales.He was born Richard Lewis Jones at Tre'r-ddôl in Ceredigion. The son of a farmer, Jones himself farmed on at Fferm yr Hendre at Blaenannerch in Aberporth...
loses the National Eisteddfod chair on a technicality. - Actor Stanley BakerStanley BakerSir Stanley Baker was a Welsh actor and film producer.-Early career:William Stanley Baker was born in Ferndale, Rhondda Valley, Wales. In the mid-1930s his parents moved to London, where Baker spent most of his formative years...
is given a knighthood, a few months before his death. - Griff Rhys JonesGriff Rhys JonesGriffith "Griff" Rhys Jones is a Welsh comedian, writer, actor, television presenter and personality. Jones came to national attention in the early 1980s for his work in the BBC television comedy sketch shows Not the Nine O'Clock News and Alas Smith and Jones along with his comedy partner Mel Smith...
becomes Vice-President of the Cambridge University Footlights Dramatic ClubFootlightsCambridge University Footlights Dramatic Club, commonly referred to simply as the Footlights, is an amateur theatrical club in Cambridge, England, founded in 1883 and run by the students of Cambridge University....
. - Mistar UrddMistar Urdddde|200px|thumb|The Urdd logoMistar Urdd is the personification of the triangular red, white and green logo of the Welsh youth movement, Urdd Gobaith Cymru ....
is created by Wynne Melville Jones.
Awards
- National Eisteddfod of Wales (held in CardiganCardigan, CeredigionCardigan is a town in the county of Ceredigion in Mid Wales. It lies on the estuary of the River Teifi at the point where Ceredigion meets Pembrokeshire. It was the county town of the pre-1974 county of Cardiganshire. It is the second largest town in Ceredigion. The town's population was 4,203...
)
- National Eisteddfod of Wales: Chair - Alan LlwydAlan LlwydAlan Llwyd , original name Alan Lloyd Roberts, is a Welsh poet, literary critic and editor, one of the most prolific Welsh-language poets in the last quarter of the 20th century....
- National Eisteddfod of Wales: Crown - Alan LlwydAlan LlwydAlan Llwyd , original name Alan Lloyd Roberts, is a Welsh poet, literary critic and editor, one of the most prolific Welsh-language poets in the last quarter of the 20th century....
- National Eisteddfod of Wales: Prose Medal - Marged Prichard
New books
- Ruth BidgoodRuth BidgoodRuth Bidgood is a British poet.She was born at Blaendulais, Seven Sisters near Neath. Her Welsh-speaking father was a priest in Port Talbot, where Ruth was brought up...
- Not Without Homage - J. M. Edwards - Cerddi Ddoe a Heddiw
- John Emyr - Enaid Clwyfus
- Geraint Jarman - Cerddi Alfred Street
- Gwilym R. JonesGwilym R. JonesGwilym Richard Jones was the first person to have been awarded all three major literary awards at the National Eisteddfod of Wales. Jones was awarded the crown in 1935, the chair in 1938 and the prose medal in 1941...
- Y Syrcas a Cherddi Eraill - Alan LlwydAlan LlwydAlan Llwyd , original name Alan Lloyd Roberts, is a Welsh poet, literary critic and editor, one of the most prolific Welsh-language poets in the last quarter of the 20th century....
- Edrych Trwy Wydrau Lledrith - Alun Llywelyn-Williams - Gwanwyn yn y Ddinas
- Kenneth Morgan - Keir HardieKeir HardieJames Keir Hardie, Sr. , was a Scottish socialist and labour leader, and was the first Independent Labour Member of Parliament elected to the Parliament of the United Kingdom...
- Marged Prichard - Gwylanod ar y Mynydd
- Bernice RubensBernice RubensBernice Rubens was a Booker Prize-winning Welsh novelist.-Background:She was of Russian Jewish descent and born in Cardiff, Wales where she attended Cardiff High School. She came from a very musical family, both her brothers becoming well-known classical musicians. She was married to Rudi...
- I Sent a Letter to My Love
Music
- Edward H. Dafis - 'Sneb yn Becso Dam
- Alun HoddinottAlun HoddinottAlun Hoddinott CBE , was a Welsh composer of classical music, one of the first to receive international recognition.-Life and works:...
- Murder the Magician (opera) - Dafydd IwanDafydd IwanDafydd Iwan , is a Welsh folk singer and politician. He was the president of Plaid Cymru .Dafydd Iwan Jones was born in Brynaman in Carmarthenshire, Wales, and is the elder brother of politician Alun Ffred Jones. He spent most of his youth in Bala in Gwynedd before attending the University of...
- Mae'r Darnau yn Disgyn i'w Lle (album) - Geraint Jarman - Gobaith Mawr y Ganrif (album)
- Daniel JonesDaniel Jones (composer)Daniel Jenkyn Jones OBE was a composer of classical music, who worked in Britain. He used both serial and tonal techniques...
- Dance Fantasy
Sport
- Rugby unionRugby unionRugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
- WalesWales national rugby union teamThe Wales national rugby union team represent Wales in international rugby union tournaments. They compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland, Italy and Scotland. Wales have won the Six Nations and its predecessors 24 times outright, second only to England with...
win their seventh Grand SlamGrand Slam (Rugby Union)In rugby union, a Grand Slam occurs when one team in the Six Nations Championship manages to beat all the others during one year's competition...
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Births
- 14 January - Scott YoungScott Young (footballer)Scott Young is a Welsh former professional footballer.-Club career:Young was handed his debut by then manager Eddie May on 6 November 1993 in a 3-1 victory over Stockport County at the age of sixteen...
, footballer - 6 April - James FoxJames Fox (singer)James Fox, real name . is a pop music singer, songwriter, pianist and guitarist. He represented the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 2004 in Istanbul...
, singer - 8 May - Ian Watkins, pop singer
- 13 May - Mark Delaney, footballer
- 16 June - Cian CiaranCian CiaranCian Ciaran is the keyboard player in the band, Super Furry Animals.Ciaran is the brother of Dafydd Ieuan . He plays keyboards, electronics and occasional guitar, drums, steel drum and vocals...
, musician - 25 June - Iestyn HarrisIestyn HarrisIestyn Rhys Harris is a Welsh former rugby league footballer, who is currently the assistant coach at Wigan Warriors. Harris is a former Man of Steel winner and has also represented Wales on numerous occasions at both codes of rugby...
, rugby player - 14 July - Geraint JonesGeraint JonesGeraint Owen Jones MBE is an England cricketer of Welsh extraction but raised in Australia. Until August 2006 he was the first-choice wicketkeeper for England in both Test and One-day cricket, but fell behind Chris Read, Paul Nixon, Matt Prior and Tim Ambrose...
, cricketer - 9 August - Aled Haydn-Jones, radio producer
- 7 November - Andrew DaviesAndrew Davies (cricketer)Andrew Davies is a Welsh cricketer. He is a left-handed batsman and a right-arm medium-pace bowler.Davies made his Championship debut in 1995, and, despite having an early career full of injury, he continued to play through limited overs cricket...
, cricketer - 20 December – Adam PowellAdam PowellAdam Powell may refer to:*Adam Powell , English rugby player*Adam Powell , one of the founders of Neopets*One of the people named Adam Clayton Powell:**Adam Clayton Powell, Sr. , pastor...
, inventor - date unknown - Steffan CravosSteffan CravosSteffan Cravos is a Welsh rap and hip hop artist, as well as a Welsh-language activist.Cravos, editor of was also chairman of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg, the Welsh Language Society for two years....
, musician and language activist
Deaths
- 3 January - Mal EvansMal EvansMalcolm Frederick 'Mal' Evans was best known as the road manager, assistant, and a friend of The Beatles: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr....
, Beatles' former roadie and patron of BadfingerBadfingerBadfinger were a British rock band consisting originally of Pete Ham, Ron Griffiths, Mike Gibbins and Tom Evans, active from 1968 to 1983, and evolving from The Iveys, formed by Ham, Griffiths and David "Dai" Jenkins in Swansea, Wales, in the early 1960s. Joey Molland joined the group in 1969,...
, 40 - 23 January - Sir Tudor ThomasTudor ThomasSir James William Tudor Thomas universally known as Tudor Thomas was a Welsh ophthalmic surgeon who came to note in 1934 when pioneering work on corneal grafting restored the sight of a man who had been nearly blind for 27 years.-Life history:Thomas was born in Ystradgynlais, Swansea, Wales in 1893...
, ophthalmic surgeon, 82 - 4 February - Roger LiveseyRoger LiveseyRoger Livesey was a British stage and film actor. He is most often remembered for the three Powell & Pressburger films in which he starred: The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp, I Know Where I'm Going! and A Matter of Life and Death...
, actor, 69 - 12 February - John LewisJohn Lewis (philosopher)John Lewis was a British Unitarian minister and Marxist philosopher and author of many works on philosophy, anthropology, and religion....
, Marxist philosopher, 87 - 26 March - Duster BennettDuster BennettAnthony "Duster" Bennett was a British blues singer and musician. Based around London, his first album Smiling Like I'm Happy saw him playing as a one-man band, playing a bass drum with his foot and blowing a harmonica on a rack while strumming a 1952 Les Paul Goldtop guitar given to him in 1968...
, blues musician, 29 (car accident) - 28 April – Richard HughesRichard Hughes (writer)Richard Arthur Warren Hughes OBE was a British writer of poems, short stories, novels and plays.He was born in Weybridge, Surrey. His father was a civil servant Arthur Hughes, and his mother Louisa Grace Warren who had been brought up in Jamaica...
, novelist, 76 - 28 June - Sir Stanley BakerStanley BakerSir Stanley Baker was a Welsh actor and film producer.-Early career:William Stanley Baker was born in Ferndale, Rhondda Valley, Wales. In the mid-1930s his parents moved to London, where Baker spent most of his formative years...
, actor, 48 - 18 July - Jenkin Alban DaviesJenkin Alban DaviesJenkin Alban Davies was a Welsh international rugby union player.-Life:Davies was born in Aberaeron, Wales. He was educated at Jesus College, Oxford but did not win a "Blue". He first played for Swansea RFC in 1910. Davies played for the Wales national rugby union team on seven occasions in the...
, Wales international rugby captain, 90 - 30 August - David Rees-Williams, 1st Baron OgmoreDavid Rees-Williams, 1st Baron OgmoreDavid Rees Rees-Williams, 1st Baron Ogmore, PC, TD was a Welsh politician.Rees-Williams was born in Bridgend, Wales. He qualified as a solicitor in 1929 and married and had three children...
, politician, 72 - 7 November - Glyn DaviesGlyn Davies (rugby player)Glyn Davies was a Welsh international rugby union fly-half who played club rugby for a large selection of clubs but most notably for Pontypridd and Cambridge University. He won eleven international caps for Wales including a win over the touring 1947 Australia team...
, Wales international rugby union player, 49 - 22 November - Rupert DaviesRupert DaviesRupert Davies was a British actor. He remains best known for playing the title role in the BBC's 1960s television adaptation of Maigret, based on the Maigret novels written by Georges Simenon....
, actor, 60 - 24 November - Ambrose BakerAmbrose BakerAmbrose Baker was a dual-code international rugby player who played rugby union for Neath and rugby league with Oldham...
, rugby player, ?79 - date unknown
- Meirion Williams, songwriter