1954 in Wales

1954 in Wales

Other years

1951 | 1952 | 1953 << All >> 1955 | 1956 | 1957

1954 in: The United Kingdom • Ireland

Other events of 1954

This article is about the particular significance of the year 1954 to Wales and its people.

Contents 1 Incumbents 2 Events 3 Arts and literature 3.1 Awards 3.2 New books 3.3 Music 4 Film 5 Broadcasting 6 Sport 7 Births 8 Deaths

Incumbents

• Prince of Wales - vacant (Charles, Prince of Wales, had not yet been officially designated with the title)
• Princess of Wales - vacant
• Archbishop of Wales - John Morgan
• Archdruid of the National Eisteddfod of Wales - Dyfnallt

Events

• June 19 - The Welsh Chess Union is founded.
• Launch of the Empire News, the first Sunday newspaper to be published in Wales.
• Cardiff Airport opens near Rhoose.
• Gwyneth Phillips marries John Dunwoody, continuing a dynasty of Labour politicians.
• Gwilym Lloyd George becomes Minister for Welsh Affairs – the first Welshman to hold the position.

Arts and literature

Awards

• National Eisteddfod of Wales (held in Ystradgynlais)

• National Eisteddfod of Wales: Chair - John Evans
• National Eisteddfod of Wales: Crown - E. Llwyd Williams
• National Eisteddfod of Wales: Prose Medal - Owen Elias Roberts

New books

• Dannie Abse - Ash on a Young Man's Sleeve
• Kingsley Amis - Lucky Jim
• Glyn Daniel - Welcome Death
• Margiad Evans - The Nightingale Silenced
• V. E. Nash-Williams - The Roman Frontier in Wales
• Eiluned Lewis - Honey Pots and Brandy Bottles
• Bertrand Russell - Nightmares of Eminent Persons and Other Stories
• Dylan Thomas - Quite Early One Morning

Music

• Geraint Evans stars in William Walton's new opera, Troilus and Cressida.
• Alun Hoddinott - Clarinet Concerto (performed at the Cheltenham Festival by Gervase de Peyer with the Hallé Orchestra under Sir John Barbirolli).
• Arwel Hughes - Menna (opera)
• Daniel Jones - Symphony no 4

Film

• Donald Houston co-stars in Doctor in the House.
• Ray Milland stars in Dial M for Murder.

Broadcasting

• Under Milk Wood is performed on BBC radio.

Sport

• Football - John Charles finishes the 1953-54 season having scored 42 goals for Leeds United.
• Rugby union - Wales win the Five Nations Championship, but a loss against England prevents Wales lifting the Triple Crown.
• BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year - Ken Jones

Births

• 5 January - Elgan Rees, Wales international rugby player
• 12 March - Chris Needs, broadcaster
• 13 March - Francis Ormsby-Gore, 6th Baron Harlech
• 17 March – Patricia "Trish" Law AM, politician
• 19 April - Jon Owen Jones, politician
• 28 May - Gwyn Morgan, writer
• 9 June - Rhys Morgan, Wales international rugby player
• 7 July - Mickey Thomas, Welsh international footballer
• 27 August - Bryn Fôn, singer and actor
• 25 September - Gareth Thomas, politician
• 13 October - Kim Davies, cricketer
• 13 November - Les Keen, Wales international rugby player

Deaths

• 6 March - William Davies Thomas, academic, 74
• 15 June
  • William Ewart Berry, 1st Viscount Camrose, 74
  • Charles Edwards, politician, 87
• 29 September - William John Gruffydd, author and politician, 73
• 31 October - Rhys Davies, trade unionist and politician, 77
• 8 November - Geoffrey Crawshay, soldier and social benefactor, 62
• 14 December - Cliff Pritchard, Welsh international rugby player, 73
• 22 December - Robert Richards, Welsh politician, 70