2015 in Wales explained
This article is about the particular significance of the year 2015 to Wales and its people.
Incumbents
Events
- 9 January - Strong winds cause damage and disruption in parts of Wales, as trees are blown down, electricity supplies interrupted, and flood warnings issued.[1] Three children from Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw are injured when a falling tree hits their school bus.
- 31 January – The head of the Police Federation of England and Wales expresses his controversial support for all front-line police officers in England and Wales to be offered Tasers in light of the increased terrorism threat to the UK.[2]
- 4 February – The ferryboat service between Dún Laoghaire in Ireland and Holyhead ends after 204 years. The boat from Dublin Port to Holyhead remains in service.[3]
- 12 February - Health minister Mark Drakeford announces a ban on smoking in cars carrying children, with effect from 1 October.[4]
- 26 February - Gwent Police and social services apologise for their failure to prevent three murders carried out by Carl Mills in Cwmbran in September 2012.[5]
- 6 March - Seven teenagers are arrested for dangerous driving following an accident on the A470 near Storey Arms, in which four people were killed.[6]
- 18 March - A document confirming Henry Gower's consecration as Bishop of St David's in 1328 goes up for auction at Bonham's, where it is expected to fetch between £4,000 and £6,000.[7]
- 31 March - Plaid Cymru launches its election manifesto in Bangor.[8]
- 1 April - During a televised election debate, Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood tells UKIP leader Nigel Farage that he should be ashamed of himself for his comments about AIDS patients from overseas.[9]
- 3 May - The Royal Mint announces the issue of a special silver penny to celebrate the birth of Princess Charlotte, daughter of Prince William and Catherine (then Duke and Duchess of Cambridge).[10]
- 8 May - In the United Kingdom general election, the Conservative Party wins three additional seats in Wales:[11]
- 12 June - Welsh people recognised in the 2015 Birthday Honours include rugby player Gareth Edwards[14] and composer Karl Jenkins, who receive knighthoods, and singer Michael Ball (CBE).
- 21 June - Nadine Koutcher wins the 2015 BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition.[15]
- 3 July
- 20-23 August - The annual Green Man Festival is headlined by St Vincent, Super Furry Animals and Hot Chip.
- 18 November - Two workers are killed in an explosion at the Celsa Steel works in Splott.[18]
- 1 December - Wales becomes the first nation in the UK to introduce a scheme for organ donation, whereby adults are regarded as consenting to become donors unless they have opted-out.[19]
- 30 December - Power distribution companies report that 1400 homes have suffered prolonged power losses as Storm Frank affects Wales.[20]
- 31 December - Welsh nominees in the New Year Honours List include actress Sian Phillips (DBE) and broadcaster Simon Weston (CBE).[21]
Arts and literature
Welsh Awards
New books
English language
Welsh language
Music
Awards
Albums
Film
Sport
Broadcasting
English-language television
Welsh-language television
Births
Deaths
- 8 January – Richard Meade, equestrian, three-time Olympic champion, 76[56]
- 12 January – Paul Morgan, Welsh rugby union and rugby league footballer, 40[57]
- 30 January – Howard Norris, Wales and British Lions rugby union footballer, 80[58]
- 12 February – Steve Strange, singer (Visage and Strange Cruise), 55[59]
- 14 February – Maureen Guy, mezzo-soprano, 82
- 16 February – John Davies, historian, 76[60]
- 21 February – Meredydd Evans, professor, musician and television producer, 95[61]
- 24 February – Roger Cecil, painter, 72 (date body discovered)[63]
- 6 March – Osi Rhys Osmond, painter and television presenter, 71[64]
- 11 March – Harri Pritchard Jones, author, 81[65]
- 24 March – R. Geraint Gruffydd, Celtic scholar, 86
- 1 May – Jamie Bishop, Glamorgan cricketer, 44[66]
- 3 May – Danny Jones, English rugby league footballer, 29 (heart attack)[67]
- 7 May – Sir Sam Edwards, physicist, 87[68]
- 12 May – Mervyn Burtch, composer, 85
- 18 May – Dewi Bridges, Anglican prelate, Bishop of Swansea and Brecon (1988–1998), 81[69]
- 23 May – Carole Seymour-Jones, writer, 72
- 25 May – Moc Morgan, angler, author and broadcaster, 86[70]
- 7 June – Gwilym Prichard, landscape painter, 84
- 10 July – Roger Rees, actor, 71 (stomach cancer)[71]
- 24 July – Gordon Stuart, Canadian-born portrait painter, 91
- 28 July – Ernie Lewis, international rugby union referee, 91[72]
- 2 August – Ken Jones, Buddhist activist and author, 85[73]
- 5 August – Tony Millington, international footballer, 72[74]
- 15 August – Chris Marustik, international footballer, 54[75]
- 18 August – Beata Brookes, politician, MEP for North Wales (1979–1989), 84[76]
- 12 September – Bryn Merrick, Welsh bassist (The Damned), 56 (cancer)[77]
- 6 October – Trevor Lloyd, rugby union player, 91[78] (death announced on this date)
- 8 October – Richard Davies, actor, 89[79]
- 10 October – Geoffrey Howe, Baron Howe of Aberavon, politician, Chancellor of the Exchequer (1979–1983), Foreign Secretary (1983–1989), 88[80]
- 19 October – Patricia Kern, operatic mezzo-soprano and voice teacher, 88[81]
- 2 November – Mike Davies, tennis player, 79[82]
- 29 November
- 30 November – Alex Kersey-Brown, rugby player, 73[84]
- 6 December – Mick McLaughlin, footballer, 72[85]
- 17 December – Gareth Mortimer, musician (Racing Cars), 66 (cancer)[86]
See also
Notes and References
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-30759477 BBC News - "Gales cause damage and disruption across Wales", 10 January 2015
- News: 'Tasers for all front-line officers' – Police Federation . BBC . BBC News . 31 January 2015 . 31 January 2015.
- News: Dun Laoghaire-Holyhead ferry ends after 204 years. RTÉ News. 4 February 2015. 4 February 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150226171548/http://www.rte.ie/news/2015/0204/677847-dun-laoghaire-holyhead-ferry-ends-after-204-years/. 26 February 2015.
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-31418599 BBC News - "Wales smoking ban in cars with children from October"
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-31632416 BBC News - "Gwent Police failed Carl Mills murder victims - reports", 26 February 2015
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-31782700 BBC News - Inquiry continues after four killed in A470 Storey Arms crash, 8 March 2015
- http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/historic-document-helped-rise-cleric-8704045 "Historic document which helped the rise of the cleric behind a ruined Welsh palace is up for auction", Wales Online, 23 February 2015
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2015-32127047BBC News - "Plaid Cymru manifesto calls for end to austerity"
- https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/generalelection/general-election-leaders-debate-you-should-be-ashamed-of-yourself-farage-told-as-he-lashes-out-at-foreigners-with-hiv-10153615.html "TV leaders' debate: ‘You should be ashamed of yourself’ Farage told as he lashes out at foreigners with HIV", The Independent, 2 April 2015
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-32563357 BBC News, "Royal baby: Royal Mint gifts babies with silver penny"
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/election-2015-wales-32574458 BBC News - Election Results: Wales
- http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/general-election-2015-9-key-9211465 Wales Online - "The Conservatives also made key gains in Vale of Clwyd (from Labour) and Brecon and Radnorshire (from the Lib Dems)"
- http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/general-election-2015-dwyfor-meirionnydd-9206088 "General Election 2015: Dwyfor Meirionnydd - Liz Saville Roberts becomes Plaid's first ever elected woman MP", Daily Post
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/33109354 BBC Sport - "Queen's Birthday Honours: Gareth Edwards receives knighthood"
- Web site: BBC Cardiff Singer of the World winner is crowned. bbc.com. BBC News.
- News: Jobs to go as South West Wales coal mine is mothballed. South Wales Evening Post. 2015-06-26. 2016-08-20.
- http://search.electoralcommission.org.uk/api/pdf/Registrations/PP2802 Registration:Abolish The Welsh Assembly Party, Electoral Commission
- Web site: Cardiff steelworks explosion: Two dead and five injured. bbc.com. BBC News. 18 November 2015. 18 November 2015.
- Web site: Organ donation law 'revolution' starts in Wales. bbc.com. BBC News. 1 December 2015. 1 December 2015.
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-35192785 BBC News - "Wales weather: 1,400 lose power as Storm Frank hits"
- https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/489049/NY2016HonoursFullList.pdf New Year Honours List
- Web site: The National Eisteddfod chair awarded to Hywel Griffiths from Aberystwyth. BBC News. 7 August 2015. 18 November 2015. Crump, Eryl.
- http://www.eisteddfod.org.uk/english/2015/2015-news/?request=156250 2015 News: The National Eisteddfod
- http://www.eisteddfod.org.uk/english/2015/2015-news/?request=156252 2015 News: The National Eisteddfod, "Mari Lisa wins the Daniel Owen Memorial Prize"
- Web site: Patrick McGuinness wins second Welsh Book of the Year award. BBC News. 4 June 2015. 18 November 2015.
- Web site: Zonia Bowen - Dy Bobl Di Fydd fy Mhobl I . Y Lolfa. 13 February 2022.
- Web site: Wales Book of the Year 2015: Musician Gruff Rhys among the 18 authors to make the shortlist. WalesOnline. 1 May 2015. Karen Price. 13 February 2022.
- Web site: Gwenno wins Welsh Music Prize 2015 . 29 November 2015. 26 November 2015. BBC Wales.
- Web site: Karl Jenkins on the album that marks his 70th birthday and his 50 years in the music industry. 7 May 2014. WalesOnline. 13 February 2022.
- https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/jan/29/no-manifesto-a-film-about-manic-street-preachers-review "No Manifesto: A Film About Manic Street Preachers review – intelligent fan’s-eye-view", The Guardian, 29 January 2015
- Web site: IPC Athletics World Championships: Aled Davies talks gold. 29 October 2015. 31 October 2015. BBC Sport.
- Web site: BBC Wales Sport Personality winners . BBC Sport . 2 August 2021.
- Web site: Lee Selby wins world title but Kevin Mitchell misses out. 31 May 2015. 30 May 2015. Dirs, Ben. BBC Sport.
- Web site: European Boxing: Joe Cordina wins lightweight gold. 16 August 2015. 16 August 2015. McDaid, David. BBC Sport.
- Web site: Lee Selby retains IBF title in scrappy win over Fernando Montiel. 25 November 2015. 15 October 2015. BBC Sport.
- Web site: Geraint Thomas: Team Sky rider wins E3 Harelbeke in Belgium. BBC Sport. 16 April 2015.
- Web site: Tour of Britain: Edvald Boasson Hagen claims race win . BBC Sport . 13 September 2015 . 30 September 2015.
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-30751318 BBC News - "Cardiff City mark return to blue with win against Fulham", 10 January 2015
- News: Lauletta. Dan. Bassett starts, England beats Germany for 3rd place. 22 December 2015. The Equalizer. 5 July 2015.
- Web site: Fifa rankings: Wales enter world top 10 for first time. BBC Sport. 9 July 2015. 9 July 2015.
- Web site: Wales qualify for Euros despite loss. BBC Sport. 11 October 2015.
- Web site: Garry Monk: Swansea City part company with manager. BBC Sport. 9 December 2015. 9 December 2015.
- Web site: Conditional Championship: Sean Bowen wins young jockey title. BBC Sport. 17 April 2016.
- http://www.racingbetter.co.uk/race/chepstow/welsh_national.html Racing Better - Coral Welsh National 2015
- Web site: World Rally Championship: Sebastien Ogier wins Wales Rally GB. BBC Sport. 18 November 2015. 15 November 2015. Williams, Aled.
- Web site: Wales rugby league stars crowned European champions . walesonline.co.uk. 8 November 2015. 20 December 2015.
- Web site: Six Nations 2015: Ireland win title from England & Wales. BBC Sport. 11 October 2015.
- Web site: Rugby World Cup 2015: Robbie Henshaw out of Ireland opener. BBC Sport. 17 September 2015.
- Web site: Rugby World Cup 2015: South Africa 23-19 Wales . BBC Sport. 18 September 2015. 17 October 2015. Williams, Richard.
- Web site: Rob Davies claims second European gold in para table tennis . 17 October 2015. bbc.co.uk. 18 October 2015.
- http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/film-news/hollywood-star-michael-sheen-gets-8678828 "Hollywood star Michael Sheen gets really, REALLY serious", Wales Online, 20 February 2015
- https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/celebritytravel/11642833/Huw-Edwardss-Travelling-Life.html "Huw Edwards’s Travelling Life", The Telegraph, 1 June 2015
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-30528338 BBC News - "New Welsh language film of Dylan Thomas's Under Milk Wood"
- http://www.s4c.cymru/caban/?p=11701&lang=en "A vicar who’s dying to live – new Sunday drama on S4C", S4C
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2015/bbc-wales-patagonia-landmark "BBC Wales celebrates Patagonia landmark"
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/wales/25666058 Obituary: Triple Olympic gold-medallist Richard Meade
- http://www.walesrugbyleague.co.uk/article/12741/rip-paul-morgan RIP Paul Morgan
- Web site: Wales and Lions prop Howard Norris dies. espn.co.uk. 31 January 2015.
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-31449838 BBC News, "Steve Strange, Visage lead singer, dies aged 55", 13 February 2015
- Web site: Historian and BBC commentator John Davies dies aged 76 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20230225032234/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-31484879 . 2023-02-25 . live .
- Web site: Former BBC Wales man Dr Meredydd Evans dies aged 95 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20220928133716/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-31567287 . 2022-09-28 . live .
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-31588188 Welsh author John Rowlands dies, 76
- http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/gwentnews/11815937.Man_found_dead_believed_to_be_missing_man_and_renowned_artist_Roger_Cecil/?ref=rss Man found dead believed to be missing man and renowned artist Roger Cecil - 'One of Wales’ most accomplished artists'
- Web site: Welsh artist and lecturer Osi Rhys Osmond dies . . https://web.archive.org/web/20230518124405/https://www.bbc.com/news/31782981 . 2023-05-18 . live .
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-31842541 BBC News, "Writer Harri Pritchard Jones dies aged 81", 11 March 2015
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-32580686 Tributes paid to former Glamorgan cricketer Jamie Bishop
- http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-04/wales-player-danny-jones-dies-of-heart-attack-on-pitch/6441646 Wales player Danny Jones dies after heart-attack during rugby league match
- http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/reporter/2014-15/weekly/6388/section8.shtml Obituary Notice
- http://www.bmdsonline.co.uk/media-wales-group/obituary/bridges/41871323 BRIDGES : Obituary
- Moc Morgan . 25 July 2015 . 76-77 . 71660 .
- http://www.playbill.com/news/article/roger-rees-stage-actor-made-famous-by-nicholas-nickleby-dies-at-71-351533 Roger Rees, Stage Actor Made Famous by Nicholas Nickleby, Dies at 71
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/33690335 BBC Sport - "Ernie Lewis: Oldest WRU international referee dies, aged 91"
- http://www.tricycle.com/blog/ken-jones-welsh-author-and-activist-dies-85 Ken Jones, Welsh Author and Activist, Dies at 85
- http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/Swansea-City-Wales-goalkeeper-Tony-Millington/story-27551290-detail/story.html#ixzz3hxEsQFxQ Former Swansea City and Wales goalkeeper Tony Millington dies aged 72
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33905620 Chris Marustik: Former Wales and Swansea defender dies
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-33975086 Beata Brookes: Former Conservative Euro MP dies at 84
- http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/damned-bassist-bryn-merrick-dies-10041318 The Damned bassist Bryn Merrick dies at Llandough Hospital after a battle with cancer
- http://www.llanellistar.co.uk/Oldest-living-British-Lion-Trevor-Lloyd-dies-aged/story-27929670-detail/story.html Oldest living British Lion, Trevor Lloyd, dies aged 91
- Web site: Richard Davies, actor - obituary. 15 October 2015. The Telegraph. 19 June 2020.
- https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-34495827 Ex-Tory chancellor Lord Geoffrey Howe dies aged 88
- http://slippedisc.com/2015/10/a-memorable-mezzo-has-died/ A memorable mezzo has died
- http://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-mike-davies-20151108-story.html Mike Davies dies at 79; tennis innovator brought new color and exposure to game
- http://www.udiscovermusic.com/wayne-bickerton-rip Wayne Bickerton RIP
- https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-league/34965328 Alex Kersey-Brown: Former Wales Rugby League player dies
- http://www.herefordtimes.com/sport/14127341.Hereford_United_giantkiller_dies/?ref=twtrec Mick McLaughlin, who was part of the Hereford United team that beat Newcastle United in 1972, has died
- http://www.noise11.com/news/music-news-r-i-p-gareth-mortimer-of-racing-cars-at-age-66-20151222 R.I.P. Gareth Mortimer of Racing Cars At Age 66