1968 in Wales

Incumbents

Prince of Wales – Charles

Princess of Wales – vacant

Secretary of State for Wales – Cledwyn Hughes (until 5 April); George Thomas

Archbishop of Wales – Glyn Simon, Bishop of Llandaff

Archdruid of the National Eisteddfod of Wales – E. Gwyndaf Evans

Events

September - In response to the news that Harold Wilson's government has proposed to use part of the disaster fund set up to help the people of Aberfan to meet the costs of removing the tip that caused the Aberfan disaster, Merthyr MP S. O. Davies says: "I have never known a prime minister to behave so disgracefully in all my 34 years in the House of Commons".

October - Trawsfynydd nuclear power station, the only nuclear power station to be located in a national park, is opened.

17 December - Official opening of first phase of the Royal Mint's new Llantrisant plant.

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 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 rises to stardom 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

Irma Chilton - Cusanau

Pennar Davies - Meibion Darogan

Islwyn Ffowc Elis - Y Blaned Dirion

Menna Gallie - Travels with a Duchess

Glyn Jones - The Dragon Has Two Tongues

A. J. R. Russell-Wood - Fidalgos and Philanthropists: The Santa Casa da Misericórdia of Bahia, 1550-1755

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 TV and radio

Helo Sut Dach Chi?, presented by Hywel Gwynfryn, is the first Welsh-language pop programme on radio.

Sport

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.

Football - Cardiff City reach the semi-finals of the European Cup Winners Cup, losing to Hamburg.

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)

May - Rakie Ayola, actress

28 May - Kylie Minogue, actress and singer (in Melbourne, of maternal Welsh origin)

29 May - Jessica Morden, politician

22 July - Rhys Ifans, actor

13 June - David Gray, musician

26 June - Iwan Roberts, footballer

27 July - Carl Sergeant, politician

30 July - Sean Moore, musician

19 August - Roger Freestone, footballer

23 September - Adam Price, politician

12 October - Mark Donovan, actor

13 December - Steve Robinson, Featherweight boxer

date unknown - Trevor Rees-Jones, bodyguard to Diana, Princess of Wales

Deaths

13 January - William Williams (Crwys), poet and Archdruid, 93

25 January - Louie Myfanwy Thomas (Jane Ann Jones), novelist, 59

6 February - James Gomer Berry, 1st Viscount Kemsley

3 May - Ness Edwards, politician

16 July - William Evans (Wil Ifan), poet

24 August - Bailey Davies, Wales international rugby union player, 83

28 August - Arthur Henderson, Baron Rowley, politician

4 September - Arthur Horner, politician

10 November - Tommy Rees, Wales dual-code rugby player, 64

17 November - Carey Morris, artist

20 November - David Grenfell, politician

14 December - David James Jones (Gwenallt), poet

date unknown - Dafydd Jones (Isfoel), poet