1961 in Wales

1961 in Wales
Other years
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1961 in: The United Kingdom • Ireland
Other events of 1961

This article is about the significance of the year 1961 to Wales and its people.

Incumbents

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.

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
- The Edge, guitarist (in Barking, London, to Welsh parents)
- Simon Weston, war hero
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