1996 in Wales

This article is about the particular significance of the year 1996 to Wales and its people.

"See also:"
1995 in Wales,
other events of 1996,
1997 in Wales and the
list of years in Wales.

Incumbents

*Prince of Wales - Charles, Prince of Wales
*Princess of Wales - Diana, Princess of Wales
*Secretary of State for Wales - William Hague
*Archbishop of Wales - Alwyn Rice Jones

Events

*February 15 - The Sea Empress, an oil tanker, runs aground off Milford Haven, causing devastation to the west Wales coastline.
*April 1 - The Local Government (Wales) Act 1994 comes into force, creating 22 unitary authorities.
*April 3 - The first EuroHowl is held in Aberystwyth, Wales.
*June 29 - The Prince's Trust concert in Hyde Park, London is attended by 150,000 people.
*July 18 - Howard Hughes is sentenced to life imprisonment at Chester Crown Court for the rape and murder of 7-year-old Sophie Hook at Llandudno 12 months previously. The trial judge recommends that Hughes, 31, should never be released.
*August 28 - The Prince and Princess of Wales, are formally divorced at the High Court of Justice in London. Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales is restyled, Diana, Princess of Wales.
*November - The Owain Glyndŵr Society is founded.
*Michael German is awarded the OBE for his public and political service.
*The Church in Wales ordains its first women priests.
*South Wales Constabulary changes its name to South Wales Police.

Arts and literature

*Sir Anthony Hopkins opens the Cliff Tucker Theatre at the University of Wales, Lampeter.
*Alice Thomas Ellis is sacked as a columnist on the "Catholic Herald" newspaper because of her attack on the reputation of the late Derek Worlock.
*Steve Balsamo stars in a West End revival of "Jesus Christ Superstar".

Awards

*National Eisteddfod of Wales (held in Ffairfach, near Llandeilo)

*National Eisteddfod of Wales: Chair -
*National Eisteddfod of Wales: Crown -
*National Eisteddfod of Wales: Prose Medal -
*Wales Book of the Year:
**English language: Nigel Jenkins, "Gwalia in Khasia"
**Welsh language:

*Gwobr Goffa Daniel Owen - Eirug Wyn, "Smoc Gron Bach"

New books

*Ron Berry - "This Bygone"
*Ruth Bidgood - "The Fluent Moment"
*Gillian Clarke - "The Whispering Room"
*Howard Marks - "Mr Nice"
*Kenneth Morris - "The Dragon Path"
*Tim Rishton - "Liturgisk orgelspill"

Film

*"Prince Valiant" filmed at Gwrych Castle.

Welsh language films

*

Music

*Super Furry Animals release their first album, "Fuzzy Logic".
*Gillian Elisa releases her first album, "Rhywbeth yn y Glas".

Broadcasting

*The Broadcasting Act 1996 changes the funding formula for S4C.

Welsh language television

*"Heno" (Welsh language news programme, broadcast until 2001)

English language television

*"In the Blood", presented by Steve Jones

ports

*Football - Llansantffraid F.C. win the Welsh Cup and are offered sponsorship by Total Network Solutions.

Deaths

*April 14 - Mervyn Levy, artist and critic
*September 24 - I. E. S. Edwards, Egyptologist
*December 9 - Diana Morgan, playwright and screenwriter
*December 29 - Pennar Davies, poet and theologian
*"date unknown" - Nigel Heseltine, writer