1973 in Wales
| |||||
| Centuries: | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Decades: | |||||
| See also: | List of years in Wales Timeline of Welsh history
| ||||
This article is about the particular significance of the year 1973 to Wales and its people.
Incumbents
- Prince of Wales – The Prince Charles
- Princess of Wales – vacant
- Secretary of State for Wales – Peter Thomas
- Archbishop of Wales – Gwilym Williams, Bishop of Bangor
- Archdruid of the National Eisteddfod of Wales – Brinli
Events
- April - The first Welsh-language papur bro community newspaper, Y Dinesydd, is founded.
- May - Sony opens its factory in Bridgend, the first major Japanese investment in Wales.
- July - Sixteen-year-old Sandra Newton is found murdered at Tonmawr.
- 16 September - Sixteen-year-olds Geraldine Hughes and Pauline Floyd are found murdered at Llandarcy. Their murders, along with that of Sandra Newton in July, will remain unsolved for 29 years.[1]
- 23 November - Max Boyce records his legendary live show at Treorchy Rugby Club.
- During the year, there are 424 road deaths in Wales - an all-time record.
- Creation of the Wales TUC.
- Drilling for oil and gas begins off the coast of Wales. A fourth oil refinery opens at Milford Haven.
- The Llyn Brianne dam is completed.
- Professor Brian Josephson wins the Nobel Prize for Physics.
Arts and literature
- The Welsh Philharmonia Orchestra is founded.
- Sir Richard Armstrong becomes conductor of Welsh National Opera.
- Joe Strummer begins his studies at Newport College of Art.
- Welsh actress Angharad Rees marries Christopher Cazenove.
Awards
- National Eisteddfod of Wales (held in Ruthin)
- National Eisteddfod of Wales: Chair - Alan Llwyd
- National Eisteddfod of Wales: Crown - Alan Llwyd
- National Eisteddfod of Wales: Prose Medal - Emyr Roberts
- National Eisteddfod of Wales: Drama Medal - Urien Wiliam
New books
- Leo Abse - Private Member
- Huw Lloyd Edwards - Y Llyffantod
- Jane Edwards - Tyfu
- Gwynfor Evans - Wales Can Win
- W. J. Gruffydd (Elerydd) - Cerddi'r Llygad
- Richard Hughes - The Wooden Shepherdess
- Moses Glyn Jones - Y Ffynnon Fyw
- T. Llew Jones - Barti Ddu
- Judith Maro - Atgofion Haganah
- Caradog Prichard - Afal Drwg Adda
- Gomer M. Roberts - Cloc y Capel
- Emlyn Williams – Emlyn
New drama
- Islwyn Ffowc Elis - Harris
Music
- Max Boyce – Records Live at Treorchy
- Karl Jenkins' first album with Soft Machine, Six, wins the Melody Maker British Jazz Album of the Year award. Jenkins also wins the miscellaneous musical instrument award.
- Grace Williams - Ave Maris Stella and Fairest of Stars
Film
Welsh-language films
- None
English-language films
- Holiday on the Buses filmed on location at Pontins holiday camp, Prestatyn
Broadcasting
Welsh-language television
English-language television
- Fish (with John Ogwen)
- Hang out your Brightest Colours, controversial documentary by Kenneth Griffith
- Philip Madoc makes a memorable appearance as a U-boat captain in Dad's Army.
Sport
- Athletics - Cardiff Amateur Athletic Club wins the British Athletics League Championship for the second time.
- Cycling - The Welsh Cycling Union is formed.
- Horse racing - Geoff Lewis wins both the Epsom Oaks and the 1,000 Guineas on "Mysterious".
- Rugby union - Japan plays its first rugby match in Europe at Penygraig in the Rhondda Valley.
- Snooker - Ray Reardon is World Professional Champion for the second time.
- BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year - Berwyn Price
Births
- 20 January - Stephen Crabb, politician (born in Scotland)
- 15 February - Adrian Lewis Morgan, actor
- 24 April - Gabby Logan, television presenter
- 3 May - Jamie Baulch, athlete
- 10 May - Ryan Nicholls, footballer
- 29 May - Lee Jones, footballer
- 6 July - Bradley Dredge, golfer
- 6 August - Donna Lewis, singer
- 21 August - Nicola Davies, politician
- 22 August - Lee Dainton, skateboarder
- 6 October - Ioan Gruffudd, actor
- 9 October - Sian Evans, singer
- 29 November - Ryan Giggs, footballer
Deaths
- 12 March - Willie Llewellyn, Wales international rugby player, 94
- 19 March - Sir Clement Price Thomas, surgeon
- 23 May - Kenneth Allott, poet and critic
- 9 August – Donald Peers, singer, 66
- 11 August - Johnnie Clay, Test cricketer, 75
- 21 September - C. H. Dodd, theologian, 89
- 4 November - Billy Williams, dual-code international rugby player, 67
- 16 November - Dai Hiddlestone, Wales international rugby player, 83
- 24 November - Brigadier Hugh Llewellyn Glyn Hughes, soldier and medical administrator, 81
- date unknown
- Anne Griffith-Jones, educationist
- Elena Puw Morgan, novelist
- Sir David Hughes Parry, professor of law and university administrator
- Melville Richards, academic