1953 in Wales

Centuries:	18th; 19th; 20th; 21st;
Decades:	1930s; 1940s; 1950s; 1960s; 1970s;
See also:	List of years in Wales; 1953 in The United Kingdom Ireland Scotland

This article is about the particular significance of the year 1953 to Wales and its people.

Incumbents

Prince of Wales – vacant
Princess of Wales – vacant
Archbishop of Wales – John Morgan, Bishop of Llandaff
Archdruid of the National Eisteddfod of Wales
- Cynan (outgoing)
- Dyfnallt (incoming)

Events

The Royal Badge of Wales with its 1953 augmentation of honour

7 March – A "Saint David's Day" pageant is held by the London Welsh Association in the streets of London.
11 March – The Royal Badge of Wales is granted an augmentation of honour including the motto Y Ddraig goch ddyry cychwyn ("The red dragon inspires action").[1]
1 June – In the Queen's Coronation Honours List, Victoria Cross recipient Ted Chapman is awarded the British Empire Medal.[2]
9 July – Elizabeth II makes her first visit to Wales since her 2 June Coronation.
10 July – The royal tour of Wales concludes with a ceremony at Caernarfon Castle and visits to the National Eisteddfod site at Rhyl, Wrexham and the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.[3]
2 December – Llandudno experiences unusually warm weather as a result of the "foehn effect".
date unknown
- The Royal College of General Practitioners is established in Wales.
- Goronwy Rees becomes Principal of the University of Wales, Aberystwyth.[4]
- Grismond Picton Philipps is knighted.[5]

Arts and literature

July 6 – Dorothy Squires marries Roger Moore in the United States.[6]
date unknown
Thomas Parry (later Sir Thomas) becomes head of the National Library of Wales.
- Waldo Williams leaves the Baptist denomination and becomes a Quaker.[7]
- Robert Frank photographs a Glamorgan mining village for U.S.Camera.
- Susan Williams-Ellis joins her father, Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, in his work on the village of Portmeirion.

Awards

Emyr Humphreys wins the Somerset Maugham Prize for Hear and Forgive.[8]
National Eisteddfod of Wales (held in Rhyl)
National Eisteddfod of Wales: Chair – E. Llwyd Williams, "Y Ffordd"[9]
National Eisteddfod of Wales: Crown – Dilys Cadwaladr, "Y Llen"[10]
National Eisteddfod of Wales: Prose Medal – withheld[11]

New books

English language

Jack Jones – Time and the Business[12]
Bertrand Russell – Satan in the Suburbs and Other Stories

Welsh language

Islwyn Ffowc Elis
- Cysgod y Cryman[13]
- Ffenestri Tua'r Gwyll[14]
David John Williams – Hen dŷ ffarm[15]

Music

8 June – Geraint Evans appears in the première of Benjamin Britten's Gloriana.

Film

Rachel Thomas and Clifford Evans co-star in Valley of Song.
Richard Burton stars in The Robe.
Rachel Roberts stars in The Limping Man.

Broadcasting

6 January – The Broadcasting Council for Wales meets for the first time.[16]
January – Edward Williamson, Bishop of Swansea and Brecon, broadcasts a lecture on Henry Vaughan on BBC radio.
9 December – In the UK Parliament, the Postmaster General, Earl De La Warr, confirms that none of the first independent television stations will be located in Wales.[17]

Welsh-language television

1 March – First broadcast of a television programme entirely in Welsh: a religious service from the Tabernacle Baptist Chapel, Cardiff.

English-language television

The National Eisteddfod of Wales is broadcast on BBC television, with English commentary by Hywel Davies.[18]

Sport

Archery – The North Wales Archery Society is founded.[19]
Rugby – In December, Wales defeat New Zealand 13-8 at Cardiff Arms Park.

Births

10 February – Jeffrey John, Dean of St Albans[20]
15 March - Alan Couch, footballer
11 April – Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM, politician
12 April – Huw Edwards, Labour politician, MP for Monmouth 1991–1992 and 1997–2005
26 April – Andy Secombe, voice actor and fantasy novelist
8 June – Bonnie Tyler, singer[21]
11 July – Nigel Rees, footballer
20 July – Dave Evans, singer
10 August – Gillian Elisa, actress, singer and comedian
2 September – Keith Allen, comedian and actor
28 October – Phil Dwyer, footballer
16 November – Griff Rhys Jones, actor, comedian and television presenter[22]

Deaths

10 January – Howell Elvet Lewis ("Elved"), poet and Archdruid, 92[23]
7 March – Jack Williams, Victoria Cross recipient, 66
20 March – Fred Parfitt, Wales international rugby player, 83
24 March – Mary of Teck, Princess of Wales 1910–1936 and Queen 1936–1952, 85[24]
6 April – Idris Davies, poet, 48[25]
30 April – Sir David Rocyn-Jones, medical practitioner and President of the WRU, 90[26]
2 May – Thomas Mardy Rees, author, 81/82[27]
23 May – Henry McLaren, 2nd Baron Aberconway, industrialist, horticulturalist and politician, 74[28]
5 June – Elizabeth Mary Jones ("Moelona"), 75[29]
18 June – Reg Plummer, Wales and British Lion rugby union player, 64
26 August – Rachel Barrett, Welsh editor and suffragette, 77[30]
9 November – Dylan Thomas, poet, 39[31]
11 November – John Glyn Davies, poet and children's writer, 83[32]
26 November – Sir Ivor Atkins, organist and choirmaster, 83[33]
27 November – T. F. Powys, Anglo-Welsh writer, 77[34]
17 December – David Rees Griffiths, poet, 71

References

Carr, H. Gresham (1961). Flags of the World. London: Warne. p. 66.
The London Gazette. H.M. Stationery Office. 1953. p. 2978.
"The Queen At Eisteddfod: Visit To Wales Concluded, Caernarvon Castle Ceremony". The Times (52671). London. 1953-07-11. p. 6.
Goronwy Rees (2001). Goronwy Rees: Sketches in Autobiography. University of Wales Press. p. xvi. ISBN 978-0-7083-1676-4.
The London Gazette. H.M. Stationery Office. 1953. p. 3677.
Everett Aaker (16 May 2017). Television Western Players, 1960-1975: A Biographical Dictionary. McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers. p. 308. ISBN 978-1-4766-2856-1.
James Nicholas (1975). Waldo Williams. University of Wales Press; the Welsh Arts Council. p. 65.
Wilson library bulletin. 1952. p. 60.
"Winners of the Chair". National Eisteddfod of Wales. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
"Winners of the Crown". National Eisteddfod of Wales. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
"Winners of the Prose Medal". National Eisteddfod of Wales. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
Keri Edwards; Welsh Arts Council (1974). Jack Jones. University of Wales Press [for] the Welsh Arts Council. p. 64.
Proceedings of the Harvard Celtic Colloquium. Department of Celtic Languages and Literatures, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University. 1998. p. 439.
Bwletin Y Bwrdd Gwybodau Celtaidd. University of Wales Press. 1987. p. 56.
Eurwyn Wiliam (1986). The Historical Farm Buildings of Wales. John Donald Publishers. p. 184. ISBN 978-0-85976-136-9.
British Broadcasting Corporation (1954). Annual Report and Accounts.
Jamie Medhurst (1 June 2010). A History of Independent Television in Wales. University of Wales Press. pp. 25–. ISBN 978-0-7083-2308-3.
Radio Times. G. Newnes. 1953. p. 24.
The British Archer. 1957. p. 241.
"John, Very Rev. Jeffrey Philip Hywel". UK Who's Who. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
Fred Bronson (1985). The Billboard book of number one hits. Billboard Publications. p. 1980. ISBN 978-0-8230-7522-5.
David Housham; John Frank-Keyes; Tiger Television (30 November 1992). Funny business. Boxtree. p. 170. ISBN 978-1-85283-792-1.
National Library of Wales (1951). Annual Report Presented by the Council to the Court of Governors. National Library of Wales. p. 12.
"1953: Queen Mary dies peacefully after illness", BBC News, retrieved 29 May 2018
Idris Davies; Dafydd Johnston (1994). The complete poems of Idris Davies. University of Wales Press. p. xxix. ISBN 978-0-7083-1272-8.
Royal Society of Health (Great Britain) (1953). Journal: Supplement to V. ... p. 466.
Evan David Jones. "Rees, Thomas Mardy (1871-1953), Independent minister, historian and author". Dictionary of Welsh Biography. National Library of Wales. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
Ray Desmond (25 February 1994). Dictionary Of British And Irish Botanists And Horticulturists Including plant collectors, flower painters and garden designers. CRC Press. p. 456. ISBN 978-0-85066-843-8.
David Jenkins. "Jones, Elizabeth Mary ('Moelona'; 1877-1953), teacher and novelist". Dictionary of Welsh Biography. National Library of Wales. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
Morrell, Caroline. "Rachel Barrett". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/63825. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
"Dylan Thomas: Death of a Poet". BBC Wales. 6 November 2008. Retrieved 15 July 2012.
Robert Geraint Gruffydd. "Davies, John Glyn (1870-1953), scholar, songwriter and poet". Dictionary of Welsh Biography. National Library of Wales. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
Moore, Jerrold Northrop (May 2008). "Atkins, Sir Ivor Algernon (1869–1953)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford University Press. Retrieved 2009-02-05.
J. Lawrence Mitchell (2005). T. F. Powys: aspects of a life. Brynmill Press Ltd. p. 163. ISBN 978-0-907839-86-6.

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[1] Carr, H. Gresham (1961). Flags of the World. London: Warne. p. 66.

[2] The London Gazette. H.M. Stationery Office. 1953. p. 2978.

[3] "The Queen At Eisteddfod: Visit To Wales Concluded, Caernarvon Castle Ceremony". The Times (52671). London. 1953-07-11. p. 6.

[4] Goronwy Rees (2001). Goronwy Rees: Sketches in Autobiography. University of Wales Press. p. xvi. ISBN 978-0-7083-1676-4.

[5] The London Gazette. H.M. Stationery Office. 1953. p. 3677.

[6] Everett Aaker (16 May 2017). Television Western Players, 1960-1975: A Biographical Dictionary. McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers. p. 308. ISBN 978-1-4766-2856-1.

[7] James Nicholas (1975). Waldo Williams. University of Wales Press; the Welsh Arts Council. p. 65.

[8] Wilson library bulletin. 1952. p. 60.

[9] "Winners of the Chair". National Eisteddfod of Wales. Retrieved 7 November 2019.

[10] "Winners of the Crown". National Eisteddfod of Wales. Retrieved 7 November 2019.

[11] "Winners of the Prose Medal". National Eisteddfod of Wales. Retrieved 7 November 2019.

[12] Keri Edwards; Welsh Arts Council (1974). Jack Jones. University of Wales Press [for] the Welsh Arts Council. p. 64.

[13] Proceedings of the Harvard Celtic Colloquium. Department of Celtic Languages and Literatures, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University. 1998. p. 439.

[14] Bwletin Y Bwrdd Gwybodau Celtaidd. University of Wales Press. 1987. p. 56.

[15] Eurwyn Wiliam (1986). The Historical Farm Buildings of Wales. John Donald Publishers. p. 184. ISBN 978-0-85976-136-9.

[16] British Broadcasting Corporation (1954). Annual Report and Accounts.

[Medhurst2010-17] Jamie Medhurst (1 June 2010). A History of Independent Television in Wales. University of Wales Press. pp. 25–. ISBN 978-0-7083-2308-3.

[18] Radio Times. G. Newnes. 1953. p. 24.

[19] The British Archer. 1957. p. 241.

[20] "John, Very Rev. Jeffrey Philip Hywel". UK Who's Who. Retrieved 7 November 2019.

[21] Fred Bronson (1985). The Billboard book of number one hits. Billboard Publications. p. 1980. ISBN 978-0-8230-7522-5.

[22] David Housham; John Frank-Keyes; Tiger Television (30 November 1992). Funny business. Boxtree. p. 170. ISBN 978-1-85283-792-1.

[23] National Library of Wales (1951). Annual Report Presented by the Council to the Court of Governors. National Library of Wales. p. 12.

[24] "1953: Queen Mary dies peacefully after illness", BBC News, retrieved 29 May 2018

[25] Idris Davies; Dafydd Johnston (1994). The complete poems of Idris Davies. University of Wales Press. p. xxix. ISBN 978-0-7083-1272-8.

[26] Royal Society of Health (Great Britain) (1953). Journal: Supplement to V. ... p. 466.

[27] Evan David Jones. "Rees, Thomas Mardy (1871-1953), Independent minister, historian and author". Dictionary of Welsh Biography. National Library of Wales. Retrieved 12 March 2019.

[28] Ray Desmond (25 February 1994). Dictionary Of British And Irish Botanists And Horticulturists Including plant collectors, flower painters and garden designers. CRC Press. p. 456. ISBN 978-0-85066-843-8.

[29] David Jenkins. "Jones, Elizabeth Mary ('Moelona'; 1877-1953), teacher and novelist". Dictionary of Welsh Biography. National Library of Wales. Retrieved 12 March 2019.

[30] Morrell, Caroline. "Rachel Barrett". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/63825. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

[31] "Dylan Thomas: Death of a Poet". BBC Wales. 6 November 2008. Retrieved 15 July 2012.

[32] Robert Geraint Gruffydd. "Davies, John Glyn (1870-1953), scholar, songwriter and poet". Dictionary of Welsh Biography. National Library of Wales. Retrieved 12 March 2019.

[33] Moore, Jerrold Northrop (May 2008). "Atkins, Sir Ivor Algernon (1869–1953)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford University Press. Retrieved 2009-02-05.

[34] J. Lawrence Mitchell (2005). T. F. Powys: aspects of a life. Brynmill Press Ltd. p. 163. ISBN 978-0-907839-86-6.