This article is about the particular significance of the year 1977 to Wales and its people.
Incumbents
Secretary of State for Wales – John Morris Archbishop of Wales – Gwilym Williams, Bishop of Bangor Archdruid of the National Eisteddfod of Wales – Bryn
Events 6 January - Roy Jenkins becomes President of the European Commission. 26 March - Operation Julie results in the break-up of a drugs ring centred on Llanddewi Brefi and the recovery of 1.5 kg of LSD. date unknown The Welsh Health Common Services Authority is created. Opening of the bilingual secondary school, Ysgol Uwchradd Bodedern, on Anglesey.
Arts and literature
Awards Ian Parrott receives the John Edwards Memorial Award from the Guild for the Promotion of Welsh Music. Jonathan Pryce wins a Tony award for his performance on Broadway in The Comedians. National Eisteddfod of Wales (held in Wrexham) National Eisteddfod of Wales: Chair - Donald Evans National Eisteddfod of Wales: Crown - Donald Evans National Eisteddfod of Wales: Prose Medal - Robert Gerallt Jones Wales Book of the Year (Welsh language) - Owain Owain, Mical, (Gwasg Gomer)
New books English language Alice Thomas Ellis - The Sin Eater Paul Ferris - Dylan Thomas: The Biography Raymond Garlick - Incense Ellis Peters - A Morbid Taste for Bones (first in the Brother Cadfael series of novels) Craig Thomas - Firefox Gwyn Alf Williams - Goya and the Impossible Revolution
Welsh language Käte Bosse-Griffiths - Byd y Dyn Hysbys Zonia Bowen - Llydaweg i'r Cymro Jane Edwards - Dros Fryniau Bro Afallon Donald Evans - Egin Owain Owain - Mical R. J. Rowlands - Cerddi R. J. Rowlands y Bala Gwyn Thomas - Cadwynau yn y Meddwl
Music Injaroc - Halen Y Ddaear Dafydd Iwan - Carlo a Chaneuon Eraill, I'r Gad Punk rock band The Toilets is formed in Rhyl, predecessor of The Alarm.
Film Richard Burton receives his sixth Best Actor nomination at the Academy Awards for his role in Equus.
Broadcasting
Welsh-language radio 3 January - BBC Radio Cymru begins broadcasting.
Welsh-language television Glas Y Dorlan (sitcom) Sioncyn Sboncyn Siangdifang
English-language television Kilvert's Diary
Architecture Castell Gyrn (Denbighshire) is built by John Taylor of Chapman Taylor architects for himself.
Sport Athletics - The first UK Athletics Championships are held at Cwmbran. BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year – Phil Bennett Billiards - Clive Everton reaches the semi-finals of the World Championship. Boxing - Johnny Owen wins the British bantamweight title. Darts - Wales wins the Home International Series and the first Darts World Cup. Fencing - Wales wins the Quadrangular Tournament. Greyhound racing - Cardiff Greyhounds closes and the Welsh Greyhound Derby is run for the last time. Rugby union - Wales win the Triple Crown. Long-distance swimming - David Jones of Port Talbot becomes the first Welshman to swim the Bristol Channel. Formation of the Welsh Hang Gliding Association and the Welsh Federation of Coarse Anglers. Snooker - Doug Mountjoy wins the Masters, defeating Ray Reardon in an all-Welsh final.
Births 3 February - Mike Powell, cricketer 26 February - Shane Williams, rugby player 4 March - Gareth Wyatt, rugby player 16 March - Steve Jones, TV presenter 18 March - Alex Jones, TV presenter 10 April - David Phelps, sport shooter 12 April - Jason Price, footballer 20 April - Robert Wilfort, actor 27 April - Edward Elwyn Jones, organist and conductor 30 April - Robert Evans, playwright 13 August - Hefin David, politician (died 2025) 11 September Jonny Buckland, English-born rock musician Matthew Stevens, snooker player 18 November - Deiniol Jones, rugby player
Deaths 10 February - Grace Williams, composer, 70 11 February - Thomas Ifor Rees, diplomat, 86 22 February - Hubert William Lewis, Victoria Cross recipient, 80 5 March - Tom Pryce, Formula One racing driver, 27 20 March - Glyn Gething, rugby player, 84 25 March - Aubrey Williams, army officer, 88 30 March - Sir William Emrys Williams, 80 5 April - Meirion Thomas, botanist and plant physiologist, 82 18 April - Irene Steer, Olympic swimmer, 87 22 April - Ryan Davies, entertainer, 40 27 May - Jac L Williams, educationist 12 June - Ronnie James, British champion boxer, 59 27 June - Bert Day, Wales international rugby union player, 69 26 July - Sir Ben Bowen Thomas, civil servant and academic, 78 10 August - Watcyn Thomas, rugby player, 71 16 August - (at Colchester) Hugh Iorys Hughes, engineer, 75 27 September - Llewelyn Wyn Griffith, author of Up to Mametz, 87"Dr Llewelyn Wyn Griffith – Distinguished Welsh writer and broadcaster", The Times, 29 September 1977, p. 14 1 November - Jim Sullivan, rugby league player, 73 11 December - Neil Williams, Canadian-born aerobatics pilot, 33Flight International 24 June 1978, p. 1913. date unknown - Cecil Smith, footballer
See also 1977 in Northern Ireland
References