1951 in Wales
Encyclopedia
This article is about the particular significance of the year 1951 to Wales
and its people
.
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
and its people
Welsh people
The Welsh people are an ethnic group and nation associated with Wales and the Welsh language.John Davies argues that the origin of the "Welsh nation" can be traced to the late 4th and early 5th centuries, following the Roman departure from Britain, although Brythonic Celtic languages seem to have...
.
Incumbents
- Prince of WalesPrince of WalesPrince of Wales is a title traditionally granted to the heir apparent to the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the 15 other independent Commonwealth realms...
- vacant - Princess of WalesPrincess of WalesPrincess of Wales is a British courtesy title held by the wife of The Prince of Wales since the first "English" Prince of Wales in 1283.Although there have been considerably more than ten male heirs to the throne, there have been only ten Princesses of Wales. The majority of Princes of Wales...
- vacant - Archbishop of WalesArchbishop of WalesThe post of Archbishop of Wales was created in 1920 when the Church in Wales was separated from the Church of England , and disestablished...
- John MorganJohn Morgan (bishop)John Morgan served as Bishop of Swansea and Brecon and subsequently as Bishop of Llandaff , in which post he was also enthroned on 21 September 1949 as Archbishop of Wales .... - ArchdruidArchdruidThe Archdruid is the title used by the presiding official of the Gorsedd.The Archdruid presides over the most important ceremonies at the National Eisteddfod of Wales including the Crowning of the Bard, The Award of the Prose Medal and Chairing of the Bard. From 1932 only former winners of the...
of the National Eisteddfod of WalesNational Eisteddfod of WalesThe National Eisteddfod of Wales is the most important of several eisteddfodau that are held annually, mostly in Wales.- Organisation :...
- CynanAlbert Evans-JonesSir Cynan Evans-Jones CBE , more commonly known within Wales by his bardic name of Cynan, was a Welsh poet and dramatist.-Early life:...
Events
- 3 May - Josef HermanJosef HermanJosef Herman, also known in Wales as Joe Bach , was a highly regarded Polish-British realist painter who influenced contemporary art, particularly in the United Kingdom . His work often had subjects of workers and was inherently political...
's Miners, a mural commissioned for the Minerals of the Island Pavilion at the Festival of BritainFestival of BritainThe Festival of Britain was a national exhibition in Britain in the summer of 1951. It was organised by the government to give Britons a feeling of recovery in the aftermath of war and to promote good quality design in the rebuilding of British towns and cities. The Festival's centrepiece was in...
, is displayed for the first time. - 14 May - The Talyllyn RailwayTalyllyn RailwayThe Talyllyn Railway is a narrow-gauge preserved railway in Wales running for from Tywyn on the Mid-Wales coast to Nant Gwernol near the village of Abergynolwyn. The line was opened in 1866 to carry slate from the quarries at Bryn Eglwys to Tywyn, and was the first narrow gauge railway in Britain...
is reopened by the Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society, generally considered to be the world's first such voluntary body to operate a railway. - 17 July - The Chancellor of the Exchequer opens the Abbey Works at MargamMargamMargam is a suburb of Port Talbot in the Welsh county borough of Neath Port Talbot, Wales, close to junction 39 of the M4 motorway.- History :...
, Europe's largest steel plant. - 12 October - Penrhyn CastlePenrhyn CastlePenrhyn Castle is a country house in Llandegai, Bangor, Gwynedd, North Wales, in the form of a Norman castle. It was originally a medieval fortified manor house, founded by Ednyfed Fychan. In 1438, Ioan ap Gruffudd was granted a licence to crenellate and he founded the stone castle and added a...
and estate, given to HM TreasuryHM TreasuryHM Treasury, in full Her Majesty's Treasury, informally The Treasury, is the United Kingdom government department responsible for developing and executing the British government's public finance policy and economic policy...
in lieu of death duties, is accepted by the National TrustNational Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural BeautyThe National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, usually known as the National Trust, is a conservation organisation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland...
. - 28 October - Sir David Maxwell Fyfe is appointed the first-ever Minister for Welsh Affairs.
- 20 November - SnowdoniaSnowdoniaSnowdonia is a region in north Wales and a national park of in area. It was the first to be designated of the three National Parks in Wales, in 1951.-Name and extent:...
becomes a National Park.
Awards
- National Eisteddfod of Wales (held in LlanrwstLlanrwstLlanrwst is a small town and community on the A470 road and the River Conwy in Conwy County Borough, Wales. It takes its name from the 5th century to 6th century Saint Grwst, and the original parish church in Cae Llan was replaced by the 12th-century church....
)
- National Eisteddfod of Wales: Chair - Brinley RichardsBrinley Richards (1904-1981)Brinley Richards was a Welsh language poet and author, who was Archdruid of the National Eisteddfod of Wales from 1972 to 1975....
- National Eisteddfod of Wales: Crown - T. Glynne DaviesT. Glynne DaviesThomas Glynne Davies , usually known as T. Glynne Davies, was a Welsh poet, novelist and television and radio broadcaster born in Llanrwst, Denbighshire, Wales.-Literary achievements:...
- National Eisteddfod of Wales: Prose Medal - Islwyn Ffowc ElisIslwyn Ffowc ElisIslwyn Ffowc Elis was one of Wales's most popular Welsh-language writers.Born Islwyn Ffoulkes Ellis in Wrexham, Elis was educated at the University of Wales colleges of Bangor and Aberystwyth. During World War II he was a conscientious objector and he began writing poetry and prose, winning the...
New books
- Ambrose BebbAmbrose BebbWilliam Ambrose Bebb was a Welsh author and politician.Ambrose Bebb was the son of diarist Edward Hughes Bebb, and the father of noted Welsh rugby international Dewi Bebb...
- Machlud yr Oesoedd Canol - Edward Tegla DaviesEdward Tegla DaviesEdward Tegla Davies was a Methodist minister and a popular Welsh language writer, born at Llandegla-yn-Iâl, Denbighshire, north Wales....
- Y Foel Faen - Islwyn Ffowc ElisIslwyn Ffowc ElisIslwyn Ffowc Elis was one of Wales's most popular Welsh-language writers.Born Islwyn Ffoulkes Ellis in Wrexham, Elis was educated at the University of Wales colleges of Bangor and Aberystwyth. During World War II he was a conscientious objector and he began writing poetry and prose, winning the...
- Cyn Oeri'r Gwaed - Eynon EvansEynon EvansEynon Evans also known as E. Eynon Rees was a Welsh writer and film actor of the 1950s, mainly known for his radio and television work. During the 1940s he appeared on the BBC radio variety show Welsh Rarebit as the comedic character Tommy Troubles, reaching an audience of 12 million.-Career...
- Prize Onions - W. F. GrimesW. F. GrimesProfessor William Francis Grimes was a Welsh archaeologist who devoted his career to the archaeology of London and the prehistory of Wales. Born in Pembrokeshire, Wales, he received his education at the University of Wales. He held a number of prominent posts in Wales, including Chairman of the...
- The Prehistory of Wales - Donald PeersDonald PeersDonald Peers was a popular Welsh singer. His best remembered rendition and signature song was "In a Shady Nook by a Babbling Brook".-Biography:...
- Pathway - John Cowper PowysJohn Cowper Powys-Biography:Powys was born in Shirley, Derbyshire, in 1872, the son of the Reverend Charles Francis Powys , who was vicar of Montacute, Somerset for thirty-two years, and Mary Cowper Johnson, a descendent of the poet William Cowper. He came from a family of eleven children, many of whom were also...
- Porious: A Romance of the Dark Ages - Lynette RobertsLynette RobertsLynette Roberts was a Welsh poet, born Evelyn Beatrice Roberts in Buenos Aires to parents of Welsh extraction.-Life:...
- Gods with Stainless Ears: a Heroic Poem - Richard Vaughan - Moulded in Earth
- Ronald WelchRonald WelchRonald Welch was the pseudonym of British writer Ronald Oliver Felton TD. He took the name from his wartime regiment. He was for many years Headmaster of Okehampton Grammar School in Devon....
- The Gauntlet
Music
- Mai JonesMai JonesMai Jones , was a Welsh songwriter, entertainer and radio producer.She was born in Newport, the daughter of a railway stationmaster. Having won a scholarship to study music at the University of Wales, Cardiff, she went on to the Royal College of Music...
- "Rhondda Rhapsody" (theme from the radio programme, Welsh RarebitWelsh Rarebit (radio programme)Welsh Rarebit was a Welsh radio variety show broadcasted from Cardiff by the BBC. First transmitted in 1938 by the Welsh Home Service, it became the main English language entertainment programme from the BBC in Wales during Second World War...
) - D. Afan Thomas - Magnificat in F
- Grace WilliamsGrace Williams-Biography:Williams was born in Barry, near Cardiff, Wales.She was educated at Barry County School, and won a scholarship to Cardiff University . She then went to the Royal College of Music, London, where she was taught by Ralph Vaughan Williams...
- The Dancers
Film
- David, the Welsh cinematic contribution to the Festival of BritainFestival of BritainThe Festival of Britain was a national exhibition in Britain in the summer of 1951. It was organised by the government to give Britons a feeling of recovery in the aftermath of war and to promote good quality design in the rebuilding of British towns and cities. The Festival's centrepiece was in...
. It is based on the real-life story of the poet David Rees GriffithsDavid Rees GriffithsDavid Rees Griffiths , also known by his bardic name of Amanwy, was a Welsh poet, and an older brother of politician Jim Griffiths....
(Amanwy), who plays himself http://www.terrynorm.ic24.net/contents%20books.htm.
Broadcasting
- 28 May - Sir Harry SecombeHarry SecombeSir Harry Donald Secombe CBE was a Welsh entertainer with a talent for comedy and a noted fine tenor singing voice. He is best known for playing Neddie Seagoon, the central character in the BBC radio comedy series The Goon Show...
stars in the first broadcast of Crazy People (later renamed The Goon Show). - Welsh Rarebit transfers from stage to radio.
Births
- 7 March - Boyd ClackBoyd ClackBoyd Clack is a Welsh writer, actor, and musician.He was born in Vancouver, Canada but grew up in Tonyrefail in Wales. His acting credits include Twin Town, High Hopes and Satellite City. He also co-wrote both High Hopes and Satellite City...
, actor and screenwriter (in Vancouver, Canada) - 31 March - Henry SpinettiHenry SpinettiHenry Spinetti is a Welsh-born session drummer whose playing has featured on a large number of prominent rock and pop albums. He is the younger brother of the actor, Victor Spinetti.-Career:...
, musician - 13 April - Leszek BorysiewiczLeszek BorysiewiczSir Leszek Krzysztof Borysiewicz, FRS is a Polish British physician, immunologist and scientific administrator. He is currently the 345th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, his term of office started on 1 October 2010...
, immunologist - 17 May - Simon HughesSimon HughesSimon Henry Ward Hughes is a British politician and Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats. He is Member of Parliament for the constituency of Bermondsey and Old Southwark. Until 2008 he was President of the Liberal Democrats...
, politician - 28 May - Phil RogersPhil RogersPhilip John Rogers is a former breaststroke swimmer who competed in three consequentive Summer Olympics for Australia, starting in 1992....
, potter and author - 15 August - Berwyn PriceBerwyn PriceBerwyn Price is a former Welsh international athlete. Price was born in Tredegar, Monmouthshire, and studied at Lewis School, Pengam and the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth....
, athlete - 3 September - Ray GravellRay GravellRaymond William Robert "Ray" Gravell was a Welsh rugby union centre who played club rugby for Llanelli RFC. At international level Gravell earned 23 caps for Wales and was selected for the 1980 British Lions tour to South Africa.In his later career he would become a respected broadcaster and...
, rugby player and radio presenter (d. 2007) - 11 September - Gareth JenkinsGareth JenkinsGareth Jenkins is a former Welsh rugby union footballer, and former head coach of the Welsh national team. After a long and distinguished career at Llanelli RFC, Jenkins was appointed Wales coach in 2006, succeeding Mike Ruddock...
, Wales rugby coach - 18 November - David LlewellynDavid Llewellyn (golfer)David John Llewellyn is a Welsh professional golfer.Llewellyn played on the European Tour in the 1970s after being named the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year in 1971. He achieved a personal best ranking of 39th on the Order or Merit in 1974, but did not win any tournaments in this period...
, golfer - 24 November - Graham PriceGraham PriceGraham Price MBE is a former Welsh rugby union player who won 41 caps for as a prop forward.- Education :...
, rugby player - December 24 - Nick GriffithsNick GriffithsNicholas David Griffiths is an Australian politician.He currently is the member of the Western Australian Legislative Council representing the East Metropolitan Region.Griffiths was born in Barry, Wales...
, Australian politician, in Barry, WalesBarry, WalesBarry is a town and community in the Vale of Glamorgan in Wales. Located along the northern coast of the Bristol Channel less than south-southwest of Cardiff, the capital city of Wales, Barry is a seaside resort, with attractions including several beaches and the Barry Island Pleasure Park... - date unknown - Tich GwilymTich GwilymTich Gwilym born Robert Gilliam was a Welsh rock guitarist who was most notable for his Hendrix inspired version of the Welsh national anthem, "Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau", considered one of the most famous renditions of the song....
, guitarist (d. 2005)
Deaths
- 23 January - Charlie PughCharlie PughCharles Henry Pugh was a Welsh international rugby union player who played rugby for three notable Welsh clubs, Aberavon, Maesteg and Neath...
, Wales international rugby player - 25 February - Percy Malcolm StewartPercy Malcolm StewartSir Percy Malcolm Stewart, 1st Baronet , was an English industrialist and philanthropist.Stewart was President of the Portland Cement company. Sir Percy Malcolm Stewart and his father, Sir Halley Stewart, believed in good working and living conditions for employees. They developed the model...
, industrialist - 28 February - Evan LloydEvan Lloyd (rugby player)Evan Lloyd was a Welsh international rugby union wing who played club rugby for Llanelli and international rugby for Wales.-Rugby career:...
, Wales international rugby player - 6 March - Ivor NovelloIvor NovelloDavid Ivor Davies , better known as Ivor Novello, was a Welsh composer, singer and actor who became one of the most popular British entertainers of the first half of the 20th century. Born into a musical family, his first successes were as a songwriter...
, composer, actor and singer - 19 March - Jack JonesJack Jones (rugby player)John "Jack" Phillips Jones was a Welsh international centre who played club rugby for Pontypool Rugby Club and Newport Rugby Football Club. He won 14 caps for Wales and was known as The Prince of Centres.-Rugby career:...
, Welsh international rugby player - 28 May - Phil RogersPhil RogersPhilip John Rogers is a former breaststroke swimmer who competed in three consequentive Summer Olympics for Australia, starting in 1992....
, Potter and author - 3 July - Gwendoline DaviesGwendoline DaviesGwendoline Elizabeth Davies, CH , was a granddaughter of the philanthropist David Davies Llandinam. Together with her sister Margaret, she is remembered as a patron of the arts in Wales and important collector of Impressionist and 20th-century art...
, philanthropist - 13 August - David JenkinsDavid Jenkins (rugby)David "Dai" Jenkins was a Welsh dual-code international rugby footballer who played rugby union for Swansea and rugby league for Leeds RLFC, and representing internationally in both sports.-Rugby career:...
, Wales national rugby player - 27 September - Robert ThomasSir Robert Thomas, 1st BaronetSir Robert John Thomas, 1st Baronet was a Welsh businessman and Liberal Party politician, who was twice elected to parliament. Thomas was a ship and insurance broker. He was Member of Parliament for Wrexham from 1918 to 1922, and for Anglesey from 1923 to 1929...
, politician - 29 September - Evan RobertsEvan Roberts (minister)Evan John Roberts , was a leading figure of the 1904-1905 Welsh Revival who suffered many setbacks in his later life.His obituary in The Western Mail summed up his career thus:- Early life :...
, preacher - 30 November - Dai FitzgeraldDai FitzgeraldDavid "Dai" Fitzgerald was a Welsh rugby centre who played club rugby under the union code for Cardiff and later switched to professional rugby league team Batley...
, Wales international rugby union player