1984 in Wales
Encyclopedia
This article is about the particular significance of the year 1984 to Wales
and its people
.
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...
.
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...
- Diana, Princess of WalesDiana, Princess of WalesDiana, Princess of Wales was the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales, whom she married on 29 July 1981, and an international charity and fundraising figure, as well as a preeminent celebrity of the late 20th century... - 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...
- Nicholas Edwards - 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...
- Derrick ChildsDerrick ChildsDerrick Greenslade Childs was the Anglican Bishop of Monmouth and Archbishop of Wales.Childs was educated at University College, Cardiff and ordained in 1942. He was a curate in Milford Haven and then Laugharne before becoming Warden of Llandaff House, Penarth... - ArchdruidArchdruidThe Archdruid is the title used by the presiding official of the Gorsedd.The Archdruid presides over the most important ceremonies at the National Eisteddfod of Wales including the Crowning of the Bard, The Award of the Prose Medal and Chairing of the Bard. From 1932 only former winners of the...
of the National Eisteddfod of WalesNational Eisteddfod of WalesThe National Eisteddfod of Wales is the most important of several eisteddfodau that are held annually, mostly in Wales.- Organisation :...
- GeraintGeraint Bowen (poet)Geraint Bowen was a Welsh language poet.He was the nephew of Carmarthenshire minister David Bowen, and the brother of poet Euros Bowen. He was a Welsh nationalist, and during the Second World War was a conscientious objector, undertaking farming...
Events
- 2 March - Carmarthen MP Dr Roger ThomasRoger Thomas (British politician)Roger Gareth Thomas was a British Labour Party politician.He was born at Garnant, Carmarthenshire, on 14 November 1925, the son of Evan J. Thomas, a coalminer who later became a baker, and Beryl Thomas. The family was Welsh-speaking and left-wing...
announces his resignation, having been prosecuted for importuning. - 12 March - The miners' strikeUK miners' strike (1984–1985)The UK miners' strike was a major industrial action affecting the British coal industry. It was a defining moment in British industrial relations, and its defeat significantly weakened the British trades union movement...
begins, with a solid turn out from all NUM mines in Wales. - 3 May - At the Cynon Valley by-electionCynon Valley by-election, 1984The Cynon Valley by-election, 1984 was a parliamentary by-election held on 3 May 1984 for the British House of Commons constituency of Cynon Valley.- Previous MP :The seat had become vacant on 10 February 1984...
brought about by the death of MP Ioan Lyonel Evans, Ann ClwydAnn ClwydAnn Clwyd Roberts is a Welsh Labour Party politician who has been the Member of Parliament for Cynon Valley since 1984.-Early life:Ann Clwyd is the daughter of Gwilym Henri Lewis and Elizabeth Ann Lewis...
retains the seat for Labour with an increased majority. - 19 July - The Lleyn Peninsula earthquake1984 Lleyn Peninsula earthquakeThe 1984 Llŷn Peninsula earthquake struck the Llŷn Peninsula in Gwynedd, north-west Wales on 19 July 1984 at 06:56 UTC . It measured 5.4 on the Richter scale, and is the largest known onshore earthquake to occur in the UK since instrumental measurements began. The effects were felt throughout...
, which strikes the Llŷn PeninsulaLlŷn PeninsulaThe Llŷn Peninsula extends into the Irish Sea from north west Wales, south west of the Isle of Anglesey. It is part of the modern county and historic region of Gwynedd. The name is thought to be of Irish origin, and to have the same root Laigin in Irish as the word Leinster...
at 06:56 UTCCoordinated Universal TimeCoordinated Universal Time is the primary time standard by which the world regulates clocks and time. It is one of several closely related successors to Greenwich Mean Time. Computer servers, online services and other entities that rely on having a universally accepted time use UTC for that purpose...
(07:56 BSTBritish Summer TimeWestern European Summer Time is a summer daylight saving time scheme, 1 hour ahead of Coordinated Universal Time. It is used in the following places:* the Canary Islands* Portugal * Ireland...
), measuring 5.4 on the Richter scale, is the largest known onshore earthquakeEarthquakeAn earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves. The seismicity, seismism or seismic activity of an area refers to the frequency, type and size of earthquakes experienced over a period of time...
to occur in the UK since instrumental measurements began. - 30 November - Taxi driver David Wilkie is killedKilling of David WilkieDavid Wilkie was killed during the miners' strike in the United Kingdom, when two striking miners dropped a concrete block from a footbridge onto his taxi whilst driving a strike breaking miner to his workplace. The attack caused a widespread revulsion at the extent of violence in the dispute...
when a concrete block is dropped onto his car as he drives a strikebreaker to work on the M4M4 motorwayThe M4 motorway links London with South Wales. It is part of the unsigned European route E30. Other major places directly accessible from M4 junctions are Reading, Swindon, Bristol, Newport, Cardiff and Swansea...
motorway. Dean Hancock and Russell Shankland of Rhymney are later convicted of murder. - Dafydd WigleyDafydd WigleyDafydd Wigley, Baron Wigley is a Welsh politician. He served as Plaid Cymru Member of Parliament for Caernarfon from 1974 until 2001 and as an Assembly Member for Caernarfon from 1999 until 2003. He was leader of the Plaid Cymru party from 1991 to 2000...
resigns as leader of Plaid CymruPlaid Cymru' is a political party in Wales. It advocates the establishment of an independent Welsh state within the European Union. was formed in 1925 and won its first seat in 1966...
for domestic reasons. - Sam EdwardsSam Edwards (physicist)Sir Samuel Frederick Edwards FLSW FRS is a British physicist.-Early life and studies:Sir Samuel was born on 1 February 1928 in Swansea, the son of Richard and Mary Jane Edwards....
becomes Cavendish Professor of PhysicsCavendish Professor of PhysicsThe Cavendish Professorship is one of the senior Professorships in Physics at Cambridge University. It was founded by grace of 9 February 1871 alongside the famous Cavendish Laboratory which was completed three years later...
at Cambridge. - Clive SinclairClive SinclairSir Clive Marles Sinclair is a British entrepreneur and inventor, most commonly known for his work in consumer electronics in the late 1970s and early 1980s....
's C5 electric vehicle is manufactured at the Hoover works in Merthyr TydfilMerthyr TydfilMerthyr Tydfil is a town in Wales, with a population of about 30,000. Although once the largest town in Wales, it is now ranked as the 15th largest urban area in Wales. It also gives its name to a county borough, which has a population of around 55,000. It is located in the historic county of...
. - Creation of CadwCadw-Conservation and Protection:Many of Wales's great castles and other monuments, such as bishop's palaces, historic houses, and ruined abbeys, are now in Cadw's care. Cadw does not own them but is responsible for their upkeep and for making them accessible to the public...
: Welsh Historic Monuments Executive Agency.
Awards
- 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...
wins the Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for Best Comedy Performance for his role in Charley's AuntCharley's AuntCharley's Aunt is a farce in three acts written by Brandon Thomas. It broke all historic records for plays of any kind, with an original London run of 1,466 performances....
. - National Eisteddfod of Wales (held in LampeterLampeterLampeter is a town in Ceredigion, South West Wales, lying at the confluence of the River Teifi and the Afon Dulas.-Demographics:At the 2001 National Census, the population was 2894. Lampeter is therefore the smallest university town in both Wales and the United Kingdom...
) - National Eisteddfod of Wales: Chair - Aled Rhys Wiliam
- National Eisteddfod of Wales: Crown - John Roderick Rees
- National Eisteddfod of Wales: Prose Medal - John Idris Owen
- Gwobr Goffa Daniel Owen - Richard Cyril HughesRichard Cyril HughesRichard Cyril Hughes is a Welsh historian.Hughes was born in Anglesey. He started his career as a teacher of Welsh at Grove Park School in Wrexham before moving to Bangor Normal College to lecture in education...
, Castell Cyfaddawd
New books
- Duncan Bush - Aquarium
- Donald EvansDonald Evans (Welsh poet)Donald Evans is a Welsh poet, who writes in the Welsh language.Evans comes from Talgarreg in Ceredigion. Between 1966 and 1972 he produced the periodical Y Cardi. He won the "double" of crown and chair twice, once at the 1977 National Eisteddfod of Wales and again in 1980. In 2006 he was awarded...
- Machlud Canrif - Gwynn ap GwilymGwynn ap GwilymGwynn ap Gwilym is a Welsh language poet, novelist, editor and translator.He was born in Bangor but raised in Machynlleth, in Gwynedd, north-west Wales....
- Gwales - Emyr HumphreysEmyr HumphreysEmyr Humphreys is a leading Welsh novelist, poet and author. He was born at Prestatyn in Flintshire, and attended University of Wales, Aberystwyth. He registered as a conscientious objector at the outbreak of the Second World War...
- The Taliesin Tradition - Sian JamesSian James (novelist)Siân James is a Welsh novelist who writes in English.James was born near Llandysul in Carmarthenshire, and attended the University of Wales, Aberystwyth. She is a Fellow of the University of Wales, Aberystwyth and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Glamorgan. She is a Fellow...
- Dragons and Roses - Geraint H. Jenkins - Hanes Cymru yn y Cyfnod Modern Cynnar: 1530-1760
- Mike JenkinsMike JenkinsMike Patrick Jenkins is an American football cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League...
- Empire of a Smoke - Alun Jones - Oed Rhyw Addewid
- Robert MinhinnickRobert MinhinnickRobert Minhinnick is a Welsh poet, essayist, novelist and translator.Minhinnick was born in Neath, and now lives in Porthcawl. He studied at University of Wales, Aberystwyth, and University of Wales, Cardiff. An environmental campaigner, he co-founded the charities Friends of the Earth and...
- Life Sentences - Leslie ThomasLeslie ThomasLeslie Thomas, OBE is a British author.- Virgin Soldiers :His novels about 1950s British National Service such as "The Virgin Soldiers" spawned two film versions, in 1969 and 1977, whilst his Tropic of Ruislip and Dangerous Davies, The Last Detective have been adapted for television Leslie...
- In My Wildest Dreams - Gerwyn WilliamsGerwyn WilliamsGerwyn Williams was a Welsh rugby union player, coach and author.-Biography:Williams was born in Glyncorrwg, Glamorgan, the son of Ephraim and Catherin Williams...
- Colli cyswllt
Music
- Ar LogAr LogAr Log are a well-established folk band in Wales who have performed since the 1970s. They perform both instrumental music and songs in Welsh. Their name in Welsh means For Hire....
IV - Icons of FilthIcons of FilthIcons of Filth were an influential British anarcho-punk band that disbanded in 2004, after the unexpected death of its lead singer Andrew Sewell, or Stiggy Smeg.-Early history:...
- Onward Christian Soldiers - Shakin' StevensShakin' StevensShakin' Stevens, also known as "Shaky" is a platinum selling Welsh rock and roll singer and songwriter who holds the distinction of being the UK's biggest-selling singles artist of the 1980s . His recording and performing career began in the late 1960s, although it was not until 1980 that he saw...
records “Teardrops” with Hank MarvinHank MarvinHank Brian Marvin is an English guitarist, best known as the lead guitarist for The Shadows. The group, which primarily performed instrumentals, was formed as a backing band for vocalist Cliff Richard...
on guitar. - Phil CampbellPhil Campbell (musician)Philip Anthony Campbell has been the lead guitarist of the British heavy metal band Motörhead since 1984. He is also the former guitarist of Persian Risk.-Early life and career:...
joins Motörhead.
Film
- Ray MillandRay MillandRay Milland was a Welsh actor and director. His screen career ran from 1929 to 1985, and he is best remembered for his Academy Award–winning portrayal of an alcoholic writer in The Lost Weekend , a sophisticated leading man opposite a corrupt John Wayne in Reap the Wild Wind , the murder-plotting...
makes his last film appearance in The Sea Serpent. - Sian PhillipsSiân PhillipsJane Elizabeth Ailwên "Siân" Phillips, CBE, is a Welsh actress.-Early life:Phillips was born in Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen, Neath Port Talbot, Wales, the daughter of Sally , a teacher, and David Phillips, a steelworker-turned-policeman...
stars in DuneDune (film)Dune is a 1984 science fiction film written and directed by David Lynch, based on the 1965 Frank Herbert novel of the same name. The film stars Kyle MacLachlan as Paul Atreides, and includes an ensemble of well-known American and European actors in supporting roles. It was filmed at the Churubusco...
. - Kevin AllenKevin Allen (actor)Kevin Allen is a British screenwriter, film director, film producer and actor. He is best known for writing and directing the cult black comedy feature Twin Town set in Swansea . He also directed the films The Big Tease and Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London and hit UK TV series Benidorm...
makes his big screen debut in The Man Who Shot Christmas.
Sport
- FootballFootball (soccer)Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
- Ian RushIan RushIan James Rush, MBE, is a retired football player from Flint, Wales. He is best remembered as a player for Liverpool, where he was among the top strikers in the English game in the 1980s and 1990s. He also had spells playing at Chester City, Juventus, Leeds United, Newcastle United, Sheffield...
becomes the first Welshman to win the European Golden Boot award. - Horse racingHorse racingHorse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
- Neil Doughty wins the Grand NationalGrand NationalThe Grand National is a world-famous National Hunt horse race which is held annually at Aintree Racecourse, near Liverpool, England. It is a handicap chase run over a distance of four miles and 856 yards , with horses jumping thirty fences over two circuits of Aintree's National Course...
on Hallo Dandy.
Births
- 11 March - Tom JamesTom JamesThomas James MBE is a Welsh rower, Olympic Champion, and victorious Cambridge Blue.-Education:James was educated at The King's School, Chester, where he took up the sport of rowing...
, Olympic gold-medal-winning rower - 1 June - DuffyDuffy (singer)Aimée Ann Duffy , known as Duffy, is a Welsh singer-songwriter. Her 2008 debut album Rockferry entered the UK Album Chart at number one. It was the best-selling album in the United Kingdom in 2008 with 1.68 million copies sold...
, singer - 22 June - Arron DaviesArron DaviesArron Rhys Davies is a Welsh international footballer who currently plays for Northampton Town.-Southampton:Davies was brought up in Llantwit Major, where he attended Llantwit Major Comprehensive School....
, footballer - 31 July - Craig Stiens, footballer
- 15 September - Prince Harry of WalesPrince Harry of WalesPrince Henry of Wales , commonly known as Prince Harry, is the younger son of Charles, Prince of Wales and the late Diana, Princess of Wales, and fourth grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh...
- 20 September - Byron AnthonyByron AnthonyByron Joseph Anthony is a Wales under-21 international footballer currently playing for Bristol Rovers as a defender-Career:...
, footballer - 15 October - Owain Tudur JonesOwain Tudur JonesOwain Tudur Jones is a Welsh international footballer who plays for Inverness Caledonian Thistle as a midfielder.-Club career:...
, footballer - 24 November - Matthew MasonMatthew Mason (Welsh cricketer)Matthew Barry Mason is a Welsh cricketer. Although he has made a number of appearances at second XI level for Glamorgan, as of the end of the 2006 season his only senior appearances had been three games in the C&G Trophy for Wales Minor Counties, in which he took a total of four wickets.-External...
, cricketer
Deaths
- 14 January - Ivan Lloyd-PhillipsIvan Lloyd-PhillipsDr Ivan Lloyd-Phillips was a British national who served in the Colonial Administrative Service.He was the son of Revd...
, colonial administrator, 73 - 26 January - Nathan Rocyn-JonesNathan Rocyn-JonesNathan Rocyn-Jones FRCS was a Welsh international rugby union forward who played club rugby for Newport Rugby Football Club and represented Cambridge...
, doctor, international rugby player and President of the WRU, 81 - 10 February - Ioan EvansIoan EvansIoan Lyonel Evans was a British politician. He served as a Labour Co-operative Member of Parliament from 1964 to 1970 and from 1974 until his death.-Early life:...
, politician, 56 - 11 April - John Roland Lloyd ThomasJohn Roland Lloyd ThomasJohn Roland Lloyd Thomas was a noted Anglican clergyman, and later the Principal of St David's University College from 1953 to 1975. He was, himself, a graduate of St David's College, gaining a BA from the institution before completing a second BA in Theology at Jesus College, Oxford...
, clergyman and teacher, 76 - 15 April - Tommy CooperTommy CooperThomas Frederick "Tommy" Cooper was a very popular British prop comedian and magician from Caerphilly, Wales.Cooper was a member of The Magic Circle, and respected by traditional magicians...
, comedian, 63 (heart attack on stage) - 22 June - Dill JonesDill JonesDillwyn Owen Paton Jones, or Dill Jones , was a Welsh jazz stride pianist.-Biography:Jones was born in Newcastle Emlyn, Carmarthenshire, on 19 August 1923. He was brought up in New Quay on the Cardiganshire coast. Music was in the family as his mother was a pianist and his aunt played organ at the...
, jazz pianist, 60 - 5 August - Richard BurtonRichard BurtonRichard Burton, CBE was a Welsh actor. He was nominated seven times for an Academy Award, six of which were for Best Actor in a Leading Role , and was a recipient of BAFTA, Golden Globe and Tony Awards for Best Actor. Although never trained as an actor, Burton was, at one time, the highest-paid...
, actor, 58 (brain haemorrhage) - 27 August - Amabel Williams-Ellis, writer
- 23 September - Daniel Granville WestDaniel Granville WestDaniel Granville West, Baron Granville-West, known as Granville West, was a British Labour politician....
, politician, 80 - 12 October - Sir Anthony BerryAnthony BerrySir Anthony George Berry was a British politician, the Conservative Member of Parliament for Enfield Southgate, and a Whip in Margaret Thatcher's government...
, politician and son of James Berry, 1st Viscount KemsleyJames Berry, 1st Viscount KemsleyJames Gomer Berry, 1st Viscount Kemsley GBE was a Welsh newspaper publisher.Berry was born the son of John Mathias and Mary Ann Berry, the third of three brothers from Merthyr Tydfil in Wales....
, 59 (killed in Brighton hotel bombing) - date unknown
- Idris FosterIdris FosterSir Idris Llewelyn Foster was a distinguished Welsh scholar, and was most notably Jesus Professor of Celtic at the University of Oxford from 1947 until 1978....
, academic - Will PaynterWill PaynterWilliam Thomas Paynter was a Welsh miners' leader involved in the hunger marches of the 1930s.Paynter was born in Cardiff, where he had a basic education before going to work at a colliery at the age of fourteen. By the age of eighteen, he was working on the coal-face, and soon joined the...
, miners' leader
- Idris Foster