1968 in Wales

This article is about the particular significance of the year 1968 to Wales and its people.

Incumbents

*Prince of Wales - Charles, Prince of Wales
*Princess of Wales - "vacant"
*Secretary of State for Wales - George Thomas
*Archbishop of Wales - Glyn Simon

Events

*The Welsh Office acquires responsibility for historic monuments, and for the water supply in Wales.
*In the referendum on the Sunday opening of public houses, the counties of Anglesey, Caernarfon, Cardigan, Carmarthen and Merioneth vote to stay "dry".
*The Gittins Report recommends that all primary school children in Wales should have the opportunity to learn the Welsh language.
*The first bilingual (Welsh/English) postage stamp is issued.
*Hugh Cudlipp becomes Chairman of the International Publishing Corporation.

Arts and literature

*Welsh National Opera acquires a professional chorus.
*Cefn Cwrt Farm, Llangrannog, is purchased for use by the Urdd Gobaith Cymru.
*The Drama Tent is introduced to the Eisteddfod field.
*Cwmni Theatr Cymru is formed in Bangor.
*Rachel Thomas is awarded the OBE for services to Wales.
*Teenager Mary Hopkin shoots to fame after her appearance on "Opportunity Knocks".
*"In His Own Write", by John Lennon, makes its stage debut at the National Theatre in a version co-authored by and directed by Victor Spinetti.

Awards

*National Eisteddfod of Wales (held in Barry)
*National Eisteddfod of Wales: Chair - Bryn Williams
*National Eisteddfod of Wales: Crown - Haydn Lewis
*National Eisteddfod of Wales: Prose Medal - Eigra Lewis Roberts

New books

*Ewart Alexander - "Omri's Burning"
*Islwyn Ffowc Elis - "Y Blaned Dirion"
*Menna Gallie - "Travels with a Duchess"
*Glyn Jones - "The Dragon Has Two Tongues"
*Gwyn Thomas - "A Few Selected Exits"
*Emlyn Williams - "Beyond Belief: A Chronicle of Murder and its Detection"
*Urien Wiliam - "Dirgelwch y rocedi"

Music

*"Delilah", "Help Yourself" and "Love Me Tonight" are hits for Tom Jones.
*"Bend Me, Shape Me" and "High in the Sky" are hits for Amen Corner.
*Badfinger sign for the Beatles' Apple label.

Film

*Richard Burton and Donald Houston appear in "Where Eagles Dare".
*Anthony Hopkins makes his first big-screen impact in "The Lion in Winter", appearing alongside Timothy Dalton.
*Hywel Bennett stars in "Twisted Nerve".
*Harry Secombe appears in "Oliver!".
*Timothy Dalton turns down the role of James Bond, feeling that he is too young for the part.

Broadcasting

*HTV takes over the commercial television franchise from TWW. Wynford Vaughan-Thomas, one of the founders of the new company, becomes Director of Programmes.

Welsh-language television

*

English-language television

*

port

*BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year - Martyn Woodroffe
*Boxing - Howard Winstone wins the World Featherweight title.
*Cricket - August 31: During a match between Glamorgan and Nottinghamshire at Swansea, Gary Sobers hits six sixes off one over bowled by Malcolm Nash.
*1968 Summer Olympics
**Richard Meade wins a gold medal as part of the British equestrian team in the Team Three-Day Event
**David Broome takes a bronze in the Individual Show Jumping Grand Prix.
**Martyn Woodroffe is the only British swimmer to win a medal - a silver in the men's 200 m butterfly.
*Rugby union - Jeff Young makes his international debut against Scotland.

Births

*28 March - Jon Lee, musician (d. 2002)
*29 May - Jessica Morden, politician
*22 July - Rhys Ifans, actor
*13 June - David Gray, musician
*27 July - Carl Sergeant, politician
*30 July - Sean Moore, musician
*23 September - Adam Price, politician
*12 October - Mark Donovan, actor
*"date unknown"
**Rakie Ayola, actress
**Trevor Rees-Jones, bodyguard to Diana, Princess of Wales

Deaths

*13 January - William Williams (Crwys), poet
*6 February - James Gomer Berry, 1st Viscount Kemsley
*3 May - Ness Edwards, politician
*16 July - William Evans (Wil Ifan), poet
*28 August - Arthur Henderson, Baron Rowley, politician
*17 November - Carey Morris, artist
*20 November - David Grenfell, politician
*14 December - David James Jones (Gwenallt), poet
*"date unknown"
**Arthur Horner, politician
**Dafydd Jones (Isfoel), poet