1997 in Wales
This article is about the particular significance of the year 1997 to Wales and its people.
Incumbents
Events
- 15 January - Diana, Princess of Wales calls for an international ban on landmines.[1]
- 21 January - Wales child abuse scandal: Over eighty people are named as child abusers in care homes in North Wales.[2]
- March - Launch of the "Welsh Language in Chubut" project.
- 13 March - Launch of the Aberystwyth Centre for the Book.
- 1 May - In the UK General Election, four female MPs are elected in Wales -- Julie Morgan, Ann Clwyd, Betty Williams and Jackie Lawrence. Lembit Öpik becomes MP for Montgomeryshire.
- 31 August - Newsreader Martyn Lewis announces the death of Diana, Princess of Wales.
- 1 September - The Prince of Wales flies to Paris to bring home the body of his ex-wife. Bodyguard Trevor Rees-Jones, the only survivor of the crash in which Diana died, remains in a critical condition.
- 6 September - At the funeral of the former Princess of Wales, her coffin is carried into Westminster Abbey by a contingent of Welsh Guards.
- 18 September - The referendum on Welsh devolution results in a narrow "Yes" vote.
- 13 October - First section of the restored Welsh Highland Railway (60 cm (2 ft) gauge) officially opens over 5 km (3 mi) of former standard gauge trackbed between Caernarfon and Dinas.
- Alun Hoddinott receives the Glyndwr Award for an Outstanding Contribution to the Arts in Wales.
- Bryn Euryn, an archaeological site near Colwyn Bay, is identified as the probable base of Cynlas Goch, a 6th century king.
- Cardiff Arms Park is demolished to make way for a new stadium.
- Welsh Sheepdog Society is founded.
- Jenny Pride becomes the first Welsh female to command a unit of the Royal Engineers.
Arts
- Sir Harry Secombe suffers a stroke.
- October - The Red Violin festival is held for the first time in Cardiff.
Awards
- Welsh Arts Council Book of the Year - Iwan Llwyd, Dan Ddylanwad (Under the Influence)
Books
Music
Film
Broadcasting
English-language television
Welsh-language television
Sport
Births
Deaths
- 9 March (in Los Angeles) - Terry Nation, screenwriter often credited with inventing the Daleks, 66
- 10 March - Wilf Wooller, cricketer, rugby player, journalist and sports administrator, 84
- 2 June - Eddie Thomas, boxing champion and manager, 70
- 10 July - Ivor Allchurch, footballer, 67
- 16 July - Ron Berry, writer, 77
- 2 August - Rhydwen Williams, poet, novelist, and minister, 80
- 20 August - Bernard Cowey, Wales international rugby union player, 85
- 31 August (in Paris) - Diana, Princess of Wales, 36
- 22 September - George Thomas, 1st Viscount Tonypandy, former Speaker of the House of Commons, 88
- 6 November - Ray Daniel, footballer, 69
- 13 November - Alexander Cordell, novelist, 83
- 16 November - Aubrey Edwards, cricketer, 79
- 16 December - Leon Eagles, actor, 65
- 28 December - Ronnie Williams, actor and comedian, 58
- date unknown
References