1983 in Wales
Encyclopedia
This article is about the particular significance of the year 1983 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...
- Charles, Prince of WalesCharles, Prince of WalesPrince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay... - 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...
- Diana, Princess of WalesDiana, Princess of WalesDiana, Princess of Wales was the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales, whom she married on 29 July 1981, and an international charity and fundraising figure, as well as a preeminent celebrity of the late 20th century... - Secretary of State for WalesSecretary of State for WalesThe Secretary of State for Wales is the head of the Wales Office within the British cabinet. He or she is responsible for ensuring Welsh interests are taken into account by the government, representing the government within Wales and overseeing the passing of legislation which is only for Wales...
- Nicholas Edwards - 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...
- Derrick ChildsDerrick ChildsDerrick Greenslade Childs was the Anglican Bishop of Monmouth and Archbishop of Wales.Childs was educated at University College, Cardiff and ordained in 1942. He was a curate in Milford Haven and then Laugharne before becoming Warden of Llandaff House, Penarth... - 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 :...
- Jâms Nicholas
Events
- 9 June - In the UK General Election.
- The SDP, led by Roy JenkinsRoy JenkinsRoy Harris Jenkins, Baron Jenkins of Hillhead OM, PC was a British politician.The son of a Welsh coal miner who later became a union official and Labour MP, Roy Jenkins served with distinction in World War II. Elected to Parliament as a Labour member in 1948, he served in several major posts in...
, allies with the Liberals and gains fourteen seats. - Stefan TerlezkiStefan TerlezkiStefan Terlezki, CBE, was a British Conservative politician who served as Member of Parliament for Cardiff West from 1983 to 1987. Terlezki was born in Oleshiv, a village near the town of Tlumach in what is now western Ukraine but was then part of Poland...
becomes MP for Cardiff West. - Plaid CymruPlaid Cymru' is a political party in Wales. It advocates the establishment of an independent Welsh state within the European Union. was formed in 1925 and won its first seat in 1966...
retains two seats. - John Marek is elected for Wrexham, becoming the only Czech-speaking MP.
- Geraint HowellsGeraint HowellsGeraint Wyn Howells, Baron Geraint was a leading Welsh Liberal Democrat politician.Howells was born in Ponterwyd in Cardiganshire. He was the son of David John and Mary Blodwen Howells, both farmers.-Education:...
retains Ceredigion for the Liberals.
- The SDP, led by Roy Jenkins
- 3 October - Neil KinnockNeil KinnockNeil Gordon Kinnock, Baron Kinnock is a Welsh politician belonging to the Labour Party. He served as a Member of Parliament from 1970 until 1995 and as Labour Leader and Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition from 1983 until 1992 - his leadership of the party during nearly nine years making him...
replaces Michael FootMichael FootMichael Mackintosh Foot, FRSL, PC was a British Labour Party politician, journalist and author, who was a Member of Parliament from 1945 to 1955 and from 1960 until 1992...
as leader of the UK Labour Party. - Alan Wilson discovers what he believes to be King ArthurKing ArthurKing Arthur is a legendary British leader of the late 5th and early 6th centuries, who, according to Medieval histories and romances, led the defence of Britain against Saxon invaders in the early 6th century. The details of Arthur's story are mainly composed of folklore and literary invention, and...
's memorial stone at the small ruined church of St Peter-super-Montem on Mynydd-y-Gaer in Glamorgan. - Marcher Sound launches on 1260 AM and 95.4 FM (now BBC Radio WalesBBC Radio WalesBBC Radio Wales is the BBC's national radio station broadcasting to Wales in the English language. Operated by BBC Wales, it began broadcasting on 12 November 1978 following the demise of the old "Radio 4 Wales" when BBC Radio 4 became a national network and moved from medium wave to long wave...
) from Wrexham, inaugurating the Marcher Radio GroupMarcher Radio GroupMarcher Radio Group Ltd, previously Marcher Sound Ltd, was a former British media organisation which operated several radio stations in north Wales and north west England...
. - The BBC National Chorus of Wales is formed.
Awards
- National Eisteddfod of Wales (held in LlangefniLlangefniLlangefni is the county town of Anglesey in Wales and contains the principal offices of the Isle of Anglesey County Council. According to the United Kingdom Census 2001, the population of Llangefni was 4,662 people and it is the second largest settlement on the island...
)
- National Eisteddfod of Wales: Chair - Einion Evans
- National Eisteddfod of Wales: Crown - Eluned PhillipsEluned PhillipsEluned Phillips was the only woman to win the bardic crown at the National Eisteddfod of Wales twice, a feat she accomplished in 1967 at Bala and 1983 at Llangefni....
- National Eisteddfod of Wales: Prose Medal - Tudor Wilson Evans
New books
- Walter Hugh Boore - The Odyssey of Dai Lewis
- Rachel BromwichRachel BromwichRachel Bromwich was a British scholar. Her focus was on medieval Welsh literature, and was Emeritus Reader in Celtic Languages and Literature at the Department of Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic at Cambridge until her death...
- Dafydd ap GwilymDafydd ap GwilymDafydd ap Gwilym , is regarded as one of the leading Welsh poets and amongst the great poets of Europe in the Middle Ages. Dafydd ap Gwilym (c. 1315/1320 – c. 1350/1370), is regarded as one of the leading Welsh poets and amongst the great poets of Europe in the Middle Ages. Dafydd ap Gwilym...
: Poems - Marion EamesMarion EamesMarion Eames was a Welsh novelist.Marion was born in Birkenhead, Cheshire, of Welsh parents, but was brought up at Dolgellau from the age of 4, where she attended Dr Williams's School...
- Y Gaeaf Sydd Unig - Alice Thomas Ellis - The 27th Kingdom
- Nigel JenkinsNigel JenkinsNigel Jenkins is one of Wales's foremost poets. Jenkins is also an editor, journalist, broadcaster and writer of creative non-fiction...
- Practical Dreams - R. Tudur JonesR. Tudur JonesR. Tudur Jones was a Welsh Nationalist and a Protestant Christian. He was the most important Christian scholar in Wales during the 20th century and is hailed as the giant of Protestantism in Wales during a century that saw Wales, as a whole, turn against its traditional Reformed Protestant...
- Ffydd ac Argyfwng Cenedl - Alan LlwydAlan LlwydAlan Llwyd , original name Alan Lloyd Roberts, is a Welsh poet, literary critic and editor, one of the most prolific Welsh-language poets in the last quarter of the 20th century....
- Yn Nydd yr Anghenfil - Robert NisbetRobert NisbetRobert Alexander Nisbet was an American sociologist, professor at the University of California, Berkeley, Vice-Chancellor at the University of California, Riverside and as the Albert Schweitzer Professor at Columbia University.-Life:Nisbet was born in Los Angeles in 1913 and raised in the small...
- Stories of Sheepskin - Craig ThomasCraig Thomas (author)David Craig Owen Thomas was a Welsh author of thrillers, most notably the Mitchell Gant series.-Background:...
- Firefox Down
Sport
- BoxingBoxingBoxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
- David PearceDavid Pearce (boxer)David 'Bomber' Pearce was a British heavyweight boxing champion.-Early years:He was born in Newport, Monmouthshire...
of NewportNewportNewport is a city and unitary authority area in Wales. Standing on the banks of the River Usk, it is located about east of Cardiff and is the largest urban area within the historic county boundaries of Monmouthshire and the preserved county of Gwent...
wins the British heavyweightHeavyweightHeavyweight is a division, or weight class, in boxing. Fighters who weigh over 200 pounds are considered heavyweights by the major professional boxing organizations: the International Boxing Federation, the World Boxing Association, the World Boxing Council, and the World Boxing...
title.
Births
- 19 January - Rhian Morrissi, harpist
- 14 February - Rhydian RobertsRhydian RobertsRhydian James Roberts , popularly known as Rhydian, is a classically trained Welsh baritone and crossover artist. He rose to fame on The X Factor in 2007...
, singer - 18 February - David Vaughan, footballer
- 13 April - Nicole CookeNicole CookeNicole Denise Cooke, MBE is a Welsh professional road bicycle racer for the Mario Cipollini - Giordana Team team, and is the current Olympic road race champion.-Early life:...
, cyclist - 12 May - Jamie TolleyJamie TolleyJamie Christopher Tolley is a footballer who plays for Wrexham. Until October 2005 he was a regular in the Wales under-21 team, having made his first appearance aged 18...
, footballer - 9 June - Ryan WatkinsRyan Watkins (cricketer)Ryan Edward Watkins is a Welsh cricketer. He played for Glamorgan and is a left-handed batsman and a right-arm medium-pace bowler....
, cricketer - 19 June - Richard EvansRichard Evans (footballer)Richard Evans is a Welsh professional football player. He has been capped by Wales U21s and is currently playing for Aberaman Athletic.-Career:...
, footballer - 10 August - Richie PughRichie PughRichie Pugh is Wales international rugby union player who plays at openside flanker. Pugh was schooled in Brynmill primary and Bishop Gore Comprehensive schools....
, rugby player - 23 August - James CollinsJames Collins (footballer)James Michael Collins is a Welsh footballer who plays for Aston Villa and the Wales national football team.-Cardiff City:...
, footballer - 25 October - Marcus Stead, journalist & author
- date unknown - Myfanwy WaringMyfanwy WaringMyfanwy Waring is a Welsh actress, best known for her role as PC Amber Johannsen in the British drama series The Bill. Her most recent on screen role was a minor role in BBC Birmingham's daytime soap opera of Doctors playing Radio producer Cerys Williams.- Biography :Waring was born in Dyfed,...
, actress
Deaths
- 10 January (in AmsterdamAmsterdamAmsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
) - Carwyn JamesCarwyn JamesCarwyn Rees James was a Welsh rugby union player and coach. He won two Welsh international caps but is most famous for his coaching achievements for both Llanelli and the British Lions.-Personal history:...
, rugby coach, 53 - 10 February - Michael RobertsMichael Roberts (politician)Michael Hilary Arthur Roberts was a British Conservative Party politician.Roberts was Member of Parliament for Cardiff North from 1970 to 1974, and thereafter for Cardiff North West...
, politician, 55 (in Parliament) - 20 March - Alec JonesAlec JonesAlec Jones was a British Labour Party politician.Jones was Member of Parliament for Rhondda West from the Rhondda West by-election, 1967 until the constituency was abolished in 1974, and for Rhondda from 1974 until he died in office shortly before the 1983 general election at the age of 58...
, politician, 58 - 9 September - Edgar Morgan, dual-code rugby international, 87
- 10 September - Dai ReesDai ReesDavid James Rees, CBE was one of the Britain's leading golfers either side of World War II.The winner of many prestigious tournaments in Britain, Europe and farther afield, Rees is best remembered as the captain of the Great Britain Ryder Cup team which defeated the United States at Lindrick Golf...
, golfer, 70 - 1 October - Ernie FinchErnie FinchErnie Finch was a Welsh international rugby union wing and played club rugby for Llanelli and county rugby for the Western Counties. Finch is most notable as the player who scored an excellent solo try against the 1924 touring New Zealand 'Invincibles' in their match against Llanelli.Born Ernest...
, Wales international rugby player, 84 - 24 October - Norman FenderNorman FenderNorman Henry Fender was a Welsh dual-code international rugby footballer who played rugby union for Cardiff as a Flanker, and rugby league with York. He won six caps for Wales at rugby union and also represented Wales at rugby league...
, Wales dual-code rugby international, 73 - 2 November - Tudor WatkinsTudor Watkins, Baron WatkinsTudor Elwyn Watkins, Baron Watkins was a Welsh Labour Party politician.- Background :Watkins was born at Abercrave on 9 May 1903...
, politician, 80 - 30 November - Richard LlewellynRichard LlewellynRichard Dafydd Vivian Llewellyn Lloyd , better known by his pen name Richard Llewellyn, was a Welsh novelist.Llewellyn Richard Dafydd Vivian Llewellyn Lloyd (8 December 1906 – 30 November 1983), better known by his pen name Richard Llewellyn, was a Welsh novelist.Llewellyn Richard Dafydd...
, novelist, 76 - date unknown - Richard Vaughan, novelist