This article is about the particular significance of the year 1973 to Wales and its people.

Incumbents

• Prince of Wales The Prince Charles
• Princess of Wales vacant
• Secretary of State for Wales Peter Thomas
• Archbishop of Wales Gwilym Williams, Bishop of Bangor
• Archdruid of the National Eisteddfod of Wales Brinli

Events

• April - The Welsh-language newspaper, Y Dinesydd, is founded.
• May - Sony opens its factory in Bridgend, the first major Japanese investment in Wales.
• July - Sixteen-year-old Sandra Newton is found murdered at Tonmawr.
• 16 September - Sixteen-year-olds Geraldine Hughes and Pauline Floyd are found murdered at Llandarcy. Their murders, along with that of Sandra Newton in July, will remain unsolved for 29 years.^[1]
• 23 November - Max Boyce records his legendary live show at Treorchy Rugby Club.
• During the year, there are 424 road deaths in Wales - an all-time record.
• Creation of the Wales TUC.
• Drilling for oil and gas begins off the coast of Wales. A fourth oil refinery opens at Milford Haven.
• The Llyn Brianne dam is completed.
• Professor Brian Josephson wins the Nobel Prize for Physics.
• Welsh actress Angharad Rees marries Christopher Cazenove.

Arts and literature

• Publication of the first papur bro community newspaper, Y Dinesydd.
• The Welsh Philharmonia Orchestra is founded.
• Sir Richard Armstrong becomes conductor of Welsh National Opera.
• Joe Strummer begins his studies at Newport College of Art.

Awards

• National Eisteddfod of Wales (held in Ruthin)

• National Eisteddfod of Wales: Chair - Alan Llwyd
• National Eisteddfod of Wales: Crown - Alan Llwyd
• National Eisteddfod of Wales: Prose Medal - Emyr Roberts
• National Eisteddfod of Wales: Drama Medal - Urien Wiliam

New books

• Leo Abse - Private Member
• Huw Lloyd Edwards - Y Llyffantod
• Jane Edwards - Tyfu
• Gwynfor Evans - Wales Can Win
• W. J. Gruffydd (Elerydd) - Cerddi'r Llygad
• Richard Hughes - The Wooden Shepherdess
• Moses Glyn Jones - Y Ffynnon Fyw
• T. Llew Jones - Barti Ddu
• Judith Maro - Atgofion Haganah
• Caradog Prichard - Afal Drwg Adda
• Gomer M. Roberts - Cloc y Capel
• Emlyn Williams Emlyn

New drama

• Islwyn Ffowc Elis - Harris

Music

• Max Boyce Records Live at Treorchy
• Karl Jenkins' first album with Soft Machine, Six, wins the Melody Maker British Jazz Album of the Year award. Jenkins also wins the miscellaneous musical instrument award.
• Grace Williams - Ave Maris Stella and Fairest of Stars

Film

Welsh-language films

• None

Broadcasting

Welsh-language television

English-language television

• Fish (with John Ogwen)
• Hang out your Brightest Colours, controversial documentary by Kenneth Griffith
• Philip Madoc makes a memorable appearance as a U-boat captain in Dad's Army.

Sport

• Athletics - Cardiff Amateur Athletic Club wins the British Athletics League Championship for the second time.
• Cycling - The Welsh Cycling Union is formed.
• Horse racing - Geoff Lewis wins both the Epsom Oaks and the 1,000 Guineas on "Mysterious".
• Rugby union - Japan plays its first rugby match in Europe at Penygraig in the Rhondda Valley.
• Snooker - Ray Reardon is World Professional Champion for the second time.
• BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year - Berwyn Price

Births

• 20 January - Stephen Crabb, politician
• 15 February - Adrian Lewis Morgan, actor
• 24 April - Gabby Logan, television presenter
• 3 May - Jamie Baulch, athlete
• 10 May - Ryan Nicholls, footballer
• 29 May - Lee Jones, footballer
• 6 July - Bradley Dredge, golfer
• 6 August - Donna Lewis, singer
• 21 August - Nicola Davies, politician
• 22 August - Lee Dainton, skateboarder
• 6 October - Ioan Gruffudd, actor
• 9 October - Sian Evans, singer
• 29 November - Ryan Giggs, footballer

Deaths

• 12 March - Willie Llewellyn, Wales international rugby player, 94
• 19 March - Sir Clement Price Thomas, surgeon
• 23 May - Kenneth Allott, poet and critic
• 9 August Donald Peers, singer, 66
• 11 August - Johnnie Clay, Test cricketer, 75
• 21 September - C. H. Dodd, theologian, 89
• 4 November - Billy Williams, dual-code international rugby player, 67
• 16 November - Dai Hiddlestone, Wales international rugby player, 83
• 24 November - Brigadier Hugh Llewellyn Glyn Hughes, soldier and medical administrator, 81
• date unknown
  • Anne Griffith-Jones, educationist
  • Elena Puw Morgan, novelist
  • Sir David Hughes Parry, professor of law and university administrator
  • Melville Richards, academic

References