1961 in Wales
This article is about the significance of the year 1961 to Wales and its people.
Incumbents
Events
- 16 February - The BP Explorer, a loaded tanker barge bound for Sharpness from Swansea, turns over in the Severn Estuary.
- 17 February - The BP Explorer is seen bouncing upside down through the wrecked Severn Railway Bridge. Her crew of five men were killed.[1]
- 8 November - In a referendum on Sunday opening of public houses, the counties of Anglesey, Cardiganshire, Caernarfonshire, Carmarthenshire, Denbighshire, Merionethshire, Montgomeryshire and Pembrokeshire all vote to stay "dry".
- 9 November - Rosemarie Frankland, originally from Rhosllanerchrugog, wins the Miss World title.
- 19 November - During construction of the Severn Bridge three men fall into the river. A rescue boat crewed by two men sets sail from Chepstow, not knowing that the three men have been picked up safely by a ferry, the Severn Princess. Two empty tanker barges coming down from Sharpness collide with the rescue boat, which has no navigation lights. One member of the rescue boat crew is drowned.
- Atlantic College is established at St Donat's.
- The Llyn Celyn reservoir is constructed in the valley of the River Tryweryn in North Wales to provide water for Liverpool, destroying the village of Capel Celyn.
- Gwynfor Evans becomes president of the Celtic League.
Arts and literature
Awards
- National Eisteddfod of Wales: Chair - Emrys Edwards
- National Eisteddfod of Wales: Crown - L. Haydn Lewis
- National Eisteddfod of Wales: Prose Medal - withheld
New books
Music
Film
Broadcasting
Welsh-language television
- Ambell i Gan
- Pwt o'r Papur
- Gair o Gyngor
English-language television
Sport
Births
- 24 January - Tarki Micallef, former professional footballer
- 26 March - William Hague, Secretary of State for Wales 1995-97
- 15 April - Kevin Johns, Swansea-born actor, singer and comedian
- 1 July - Diana, Princess of Wales (d. 1997)
- 5 July - Gareth Jones ("Gaz Top"), TV presenter
- 7 July - Steve Brace, long-distance runner
- 8 August
- 18 August - Huw Edwards, newsreader
- 30 August - Delyth Morgan, Baroness Morgan of Drefelin, charity worker and Labour peer
- 29 September (in Barry) - Julia Gillard, Prime Minister of Australia
- 20 October - Ian Rush, footballer
- 25 November - Nuccia Focile, star of Welsh National Opera
- date unknown - Twm Morys, poet
Deaths
- 18 April - John Evans, Welsh politician, 85
- 30 April - Charles Williams, academic, 55
- 28 June - Huw Menai, poet, 74
- 3 July - Albert Jenkin, Wales international rugby player, 88
- 1 August - David William Thomas, journalist and lawyer, 84
- 13 October - Augustus John, artist, 83
- 20 November - Edwin Thomas Maynard, Wales international rugby player, 83
- date unknown - Robert Lloyd, author
References