1961 in Wales

This article is about the particular significance of the year 1961 to Wales and its people.

Incumbents

*Prince of Wales - Charles, Prince of Wales
*Princess of Wales - "vacant"
*Archbishop of Wales - Edwin Morris
*Archdruid of the National Eisteddfod of Wales - Trefin

Events

*8 November - In a referendum on Sunday opening of public houses, the counties of Anglesey, Cardiganshire, Caernarfonshire, Carmarthenshire, Denbighshire, Merionethshire, Montgomeryshire and Pembrokeshire all vote to stay "dry".
*Atlantic College is established at St Donat's.
*The Llyn Celyn reservoir is constructed in the valley of the River Tryweryn in North Wales to provide water for Liverpool, destroying the village of Capel Celyn.
*Gwynfor Evans becomes president of the Celtic League.
*Rosemarie Frankland, originally from Rhosllanerchrugog, wins the Miss United Kingdom and Miss World titles.

Arts and literature

*Portmeirion Pottery is founded by Susan Williams-Ellis.

Awards

*National Eisteddfod of Wales (held in Rhosllanerchrugog)

*National Eisteddfod of Wales: Chair - Emrys Edwards
*National Eisteddfod of Wales: Crown - L. Haydn Lewis
*National Eisteddfod of Wales: Prose Medal - "withheld"

New books

*Dannie Abse - "The Eccentric"
*Pennar Davies - "Yr Efrydd o Lyn Cynon"
*Islwyn Ffowc Elis - "Tabyrddau'r Tabongo"
*W. J. Gruffydd (Elerydd) - "Ffenestri"
*Richard Hughes - "The Fox in the Attic"
*Caradog Prichard - "Un Nos Ola Leuad"
*Bertrand Russell - "Fact and Fiction"
*Dave Waldo - "Beat the Drum Slowly"
*Emlyn Williams - "George"
*Raymond Williams - "The Long Revolution"

Music

*Alun Hoddinott - "Concerto for Piano, Winds and Percussion"

Film

*Ronald Lewis stars in "Scream of Fear" and "Stop Me Before I Kill".
*Victor Spinetti makes his screen debut in "The Gentle Terror".
*Clifford Evans stars in "The Curse of the Werewolf".

Broadcasting

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Welsh-language television

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English-language television

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port

*Boxing - Howard Winstone wins the British featherweight title.
*BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year - Bryn Meredith

Births

*26 March - William Hague, Secretary of State for Wales 1995-97
*15 April - Kevin Johns, Swansea-born actor, singer and comedian
*1 July - Diana, Princess of Wales
*7 July - Steve Brace, long-distance runner
*August - Huw Edwards, newsreader
*8 August - Simon Weston, war hero
*29 September (in Barry) - Julia Gillard, deputy leader of the Australian Labor Party
*20 October - Ian Rush, footballer
*25 November - Nuccia Focile, star of Welsh National Opera
*"date unknown"
**Gareth Jones ("Gaz Top"), TV presenter
**Twm Morys, poet

Deaths

*13 October - Augustus John, artist
*"date unknown"
**Robert Lloyd, author
**Huw Menai, poet