1973 in Wales

This article is about the particular significance of the year 1973 to Wales and its people.

Incumbents

*Prince of Wales - Charles, Prince of Wales
*Princess of Wales - "vacant"
*Secretary of State for Wales - Peter Thomas
*Archbishop of Wales - Gwilym Owen Williams
*Archdruid of the National Eisteddfod of Wales - Brinley

Events

*April - The Welsh-language newspaper, "Y Dinesydd", is founded.
*July - Sixteen-year-old Sandra Newton is found murdered at Tonmawr.
*September 16 - Sixteen-year-olds Geraldine Hughes and Pauline Floyd are found murdered at Llandarcy. Their murders, along with that of Sandra Newton in July, remain unsolved for 29 years.
*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.
*Sony opens its factory in Bridgend, the first major Japanese investment in Wales.
*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

*Publication of the first "papur bro" community newspaper, "Y Dinesydd".
*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.

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"
*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 – "Live at Treorchy" (album)
*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"

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".

port

*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.

Births

*20 January - Stephen Crabb, politician
*15 February - Adrian Lewis Morgan, actor
*24 April - Gabby Logan, television presenter
*3 May - Jamie Baulch, athlete
*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

*19 March - Sir Clement Price Thomas, surgeon
*23 May - Kenneth Allott, poet and critic
*29 July - Cecil Griffiths, athlete
*9 August – Donald Peers, singer
*11 August - Johnnie Clay, Test cricketer
*21 September - C. H. Dodd, theologian
*"date unknown"
**Anne Griffith-Jones, educationist
**Elena Puw Morgan, novelist
**Sir David Hughes Parry, professor of law and university administrator
**Melville Richards, academic