2015 in Wales

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Centuries:	19th 20th 21st
Decades:	1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s
See also:	List of years in Wales 2015 in The United Kingdom England Ireland Scotland

This article is about the particular significance of the year 2015 to Wales and its people.

Incumbents

• Prince of Wales – Charles
• Princess of Wales – Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall (does not use title)
• First Minister – Carwyn Jones
• Secretary of State for Wales – David Jones (until 14 July); Stephen Crabb (from 15 July)
• Archbishop of Wales – Barry Morgan, Bishop of Llandaff
• Archdruid of the National Eisteddfod of Wales – Christine James

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 of Cambridge, daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.^[10]
• 8 May - In the United Kingdom general election, the Conservative Party wins three additional seats in Wales:^[11]
  • Byron Davies wins Gower from Labour.
  • James Davies wins Vale of Clwyd from Labour.
  • Chris Davies wins Brecon and Radnorshire from the Liberal Democrats.^[12]
  • Jo Stevens wins Cardiff Central for Labour from the Liberal Democrats.
  • Liz Saville Roberts becomes Plaid Cymru's first woman MP, when she retains Dwyfor Meirionnydd for the party.^[13]
• 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 - Drift mining is suspended at Aberpergwm, the last substantial coal mine in Wales.^[16]
• 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.^[17]
• 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.^[18]
• 30 December - Power distribution companies report that 1400 homes have suffered prolonged power losses as Storm Frank affects Wales.^[19]
• 31 December - Welsh nominees in the New Year Honours List include actress Sian Phillips (DBE) and broadcaster Simon Weston (CBE).^[20]

Arts and literature

Welsh Awards

• Glyndŵr Award
• National Eisteddfod of Wales: Chair – Hywel Griffiths^[21]
• National Eisteddfod of Wales: Crown –
• National Eisteddfod of Wales: Prose Medal – Tony Bianchi^[22]
• Gwobr Goffa Daniel Owen: Mari Lisa^[23]
• Wales Book of the Year:
  • English language: Patrick McGuinness Other People's Countries (Jonathan Cape)^[24]
    • Fiction: Cynan Jones The Dig (Granta)
    • Non-fiction: Patrick McGuinness Other People's Countries (Jonathan Cape)
    • Poetry: Tiffany Atkinson - So Many Moving Parts (Bloodaxe Books}
  • Welsh language: Gareth F. Williams Awst yn Anogia (Gwasg Gwynedd)^[24]
    • Fiction: Gareth F. Williams Awst yn Anogia (Gwasg Gwynedd)
    • Non-fiction: Llŷr Gwyn Lewis Rhyw Flodau Rhyfel (Y Lolfa).
    • Poetry: Rhys Iorwerth Un Stribedyn Bach (Gwasg Carreg Gwalch)

New books

English language

• Lorin Morgan-Richards - Welsh in the Old West
• Meic Stephens - My Shoulder to the Wheel

Welsh language

• Zonia Bowen - Dy bobl di fydd fy mhobl i

Music

Awards

• Welsh Music Prize – Gwenno, Y Dydd Olaf^[25]

Albums

• Catrin Finch - Tides
• Karl Jenkins - The Healer - A Cantata for St Luke

Film

• No Manifesto - A Film About Manic Street Preachers^[26]
• Under Milk Wood, directed by Kevin Allen

Sport

As part of the 2015 Rugby World Cup, Cardiff Castle displays a mock giant rugby ball breaking through its walls.

• Athletics
  • 29 October - Aled Davies wins his second gold medal at the 2015 IPC Athletics World Championships in Doha with a world record throw in the T42 discus to add to his shot put title won on the first day.^[27]
• Boxing
  • 30 May - Lee Selby becomes IBF Featherweight Champion after beating Russia's Evgeny Gradovich on points in London. Selby becomes the 12th Welshman to hold a world boxing title.^[28]
  • 16 August - Joseph Cordina wins lightweight gold at the European Amateur Boxing Championships in Samokov, Bulgaria.^[29]
  • 15 October - In his debut fight in America, Lee Selby makes a successful first defense of his Featherweight Championship title against Mexico's Fernando Montiel.^[30]
• Cricket
  • 8 July - The 2015 Ashes series opens at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff.
• Cycling
  • 27 March - Geraint Thomas wins the E3 Harelbeke race and becomes the first Welsh cyclist to win a classic cycle race in 119 years.^[31]
  • 13 September - Owain Doull finishes third, the highest ranked British racer, at the 2015 Tour of Britain.^[32]
• Football
  • 9 January - Cardiff City F.C.'s owner, Vincent Tan, meets supporters and agrees to a return to the traditional blue playing strip, saying his mother helped him come to the decision.^[33]
  • 4 July - Mark Sampson leads the England women's national football team to third place in the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, the teams highest finish.^[34]
  • 9 July - The Wales national football team are ranked as the 10th best team in the world, surpassing their previous highest ranking of 22nd.^[35]
  • 10 October - The Wales national football team qualify for the final tournament of the 2016 European football championship, the team's first qualification for a major tournament finals since 1958.^[36]
  • 9 December - Swansea City A.F.C. part company with manager Garry Monk.^[37]
• Horse racing
  • 25 April - Welsh jockey Sean Bowen wins the British conditional jockey championship, becoming the first 17-year-old to win the title.^[38]
  • 27 December - The Welsh Grand National 2015 is postponed until January 2016 because of continuous heavy rain affecting the Chepstow course.^[39]
• Rallying
  • 15 November - Sebastien Ogier wins his third successive Wales Rally GB.^[40]
• Rugby league
  • 7 November - Wales win the 2015 European Cup, remaining unbeaten in all three matches of the tournament.^[41]
• Rugby union
  • 22 March - Wales finish third in the 2015 Six Nations Championship, in a very close tournament that saw winners Ireland, England and Wales separated by ten points difference.^[42]
  • 19 September - The Millennium Stadium hosts Ireland vs. Canada, the stadium's first match as part of the 2015 Rugby World Cup, the only venue to be used outside the host country of England.^[43]
  • 17 October - Wales are knocked out of the 2015 Rugby World Cup, losing 23-19 to South Africa in the quarter finals.^[44]
• Snooker
  • John Higgins wins the 2015 Welsh Open. Mark Williams is the highest ranked Welsh player, going out in the semi-finals.
• Table tennis
  • 14 October – Para table tennis player Rob Davies retains his European title in the final of the 2015 European Open in Denmark.^[45]
  • 17 October - Welsh duo, Rob Davies and Tom Matthews take gold in the team para table tennis European Championships.^[45]

Broadcasting

English-language television

• Michael Sheen's Valleys Rebellion^[46]
• Patagonia with Huw Edwards^[47]

Welsh-language television

• Dan y Wenallt^[48]
• Parch^[49]
• Patagonia Huw Edwards^[50]

Births

• 2 May - Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, a second grandchild for Charles, Prince of Wales

Deaths

• 8 January - Richard Meade, equestrian, three-time Olympic champion, 76^[51]
• 12 January - Paul Morgan, Welsh rugby union and rugby league footballer, 40^[52]
• 30 January - Howard Norris, Wales and British Lions rugby union footballer, 80^[53]
• 12 February - Steve Strange, singer (Visage and Strange Cruise), 55^[54]
• 16 February - John Davies, historian, 76^[55]
• 21 February - Meredydd Evans, professor, musician and television producer, 95^[56]
• 23 February
  • John Rowlands, novelist and academic, 76^[57]
  • Dave Williams, footballer, 72
• 24 February (date body discovered) - Roger Cecil, painter, 72^[58]
• 6 March - Osi Rhys Osmond, painter and television presenter, 71^[59]
• 11 March - Harri Pritchard Jones, author, 81^[60]
• 24 March - R. Geraint Gruffydd, Celtic scholar, 86
• 1 May - Jamie Bishop, Glamorgan cricketer, 44^[61]
• 3 May - Danny Jones, Welsh international rugby league player, 29 (heart attack)^[62]
• 7 May - Sir Sam Edwards, physicist, 87^[63]
• 12 May - Mervyn Burtch, composer, 85
• 18 May - Dewi Bridges, Anglican prelate, Bishop of Swansea and Brecon (1988–1998), 81^[64]
• 23 May - Carole Seymour-Jones, writer, 72
• 25 May - Moc Morgan, angler, author and broadcaster, 86^[65]
• 7 June - Gwilym Prichard, artist, 84
• 10 July - Roger Rees, actor, 71 (stomach cancer)^[66]
• 24 July - Gordon Stuart, Canadian-born portrait painter, 91
• 28 July - Ernie Lewis, international rugby union referee, 91^[67]
• 2 August - Ken Jones, Buddhist activist and author, 85^[68]
• 5 August - Tony Millington, international footballer, 72^[69]
• 15 August - Chris Marustik, international footballer, 54^[70]
• 18 August - Beata Brookes, politician, MEP for North Wales (1979–1989), 84^[71]
• 12 September - Bryn Merrick, Welsh bassist (The Damned), 56 (cancer)^[72]
• 6 October - Trevor Lloyd, rugby union player, 91^[73] (death announced on this date)
• 10 October - Geoffrey Howe, Baron Howe of Aberavon, politician, Chancellor of the Exchequer (1979–1983), Foreign Secretary (1983–1989), 88.^[74]
• 19 October - Patricia Kern, operatic mezzo-soprano and voice teacher, 88.^[75]
• 2 November - Mike Davies, tennis player, 79^[76]
• 29 November
  • Wayne Bickerton, record producer, and music executive, 74^[77]
  • Sian Pari Huws, newsreader, 55
• 30 November - Alex Kersey-Brown, rugby player, 73^[78]
• 6 December - Mick McLaughlin, footballer, 72^[79]
• 17 December - Gareth Mortimer, musician (Racing Cars), 66 (cancer)^[80]

References

1. BBC News - "Gales cause damage and disruption across Wales", 10 January 2015. Accessed 11 January 2015
2. "'Tasers for all front-line officers' – Police Federation". BBC News. BBC. 31 January 2015. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
3. "Dun Laoghaire-Holyhead ferry ends after 204 years". RTÉ News. 4 February 2015. Archived from the original on 26 February 2015. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
4. BBC News - "Wales smoking ban in cars with children from October". Accessed 15 February 2015
5. BBC News - "Gwent Police failed Carl Mills murder victims - reports", 26 February 2015
6. BBC News - Inquiry continues after four killed in A470 Storey Arms crash, 8 March 2015. Accessed 15 March 2015
7. "Historic document which helped the rise of the cleric behind a ruined Welsh palace is up for auction", Wales Online, 23 February 2015. Accessed 26 February 2015
8. News - "Plaid Cymru manifesto calls for end to austerity". Accessed 1 April 2015
9. "TV leaders' debate: ‘You should be ashamed of yourself’ Farage told as he lashes out at foreigners with HIV", The Independent, 2 April 2015. Accessed 4 May 2015
10. BBC News, "Royal baby: Royal Mint gifts babies with silver penny". Accessed 3 May 2015
11. BBC News - Election Results: Wales. Accessed 8 May 2015
12. Wales Online - "The Conservatives also made key gains in Vale of Clwyd (from Labour) and Brecon and Radnorshire (from the Lib Dems)". Accessed 8 May 2015
13. "General Election 2015: Dwyfor Meirionnydd - Liz Saville Roberts becomes Plaid's first ever elected woman MP", Daily Post. Accessed 8 May 2015
14. BBC Sport - "Queen's Birthday Honours: Gareth Edwards receives knighthood". Accessed 13 June 2015
15. "BBC Cardiff Singer of the World winner is crowned". bbc.com. BBC News.
16. "Jobs to go as South West Wales coal mine is mothballed". South Wales Evening Post. 2015-06-26. Retrieved 2016-08-20.
17. "Cardiff steelworks explosion: Two dead and five injured". bbc.com. BBC News. 18 November 2015. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
18. "Organ donation law 'revolution' starts in Wales". bbc.com. BBC News. 1 December 2015. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
19. BBC News - "Wales weather: 1,400 lose power as Storm Frank hits". Accessed 30 December 2015
20. New Year Honours List]
21. Crump, Eryl (7 August 2015). "The National Eisteddfod chair awarded to Hywel Griffiths from Aberystwyth". BBC News. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
22. 2015 News: The National Eisteddfod. Accessed 30 December 2015
23. 2015 News: The National Eisteddfod, "Mari Lisa wins the Daniel Owen Memorial Prize". Accessed 30 December 2015
24. "Patrick McGuinness wins second Welsh Book of the Year award". BBC News. 4 June 2015. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
25. "Gwenno wins Welsh Music Prize 2015". BBC Wales. 26 November 2015. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
26. "No Manifesto: A Film About Manic Street Preachers review – intelligent fan’s-eye-view", The Guardian, 29 January 2015. Accessed 11 February 2016
27. "IPC Athletics World Championships: Aled Davies talks gold". BBC sport. 29 October 2015. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
28. Dirs, Ben (30 May 2015). "Lee Selby wins world title but Kevin Mitchell misses out". BBC Sport. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
29. McDaid, David (16 August 2015). "European Boxing: Joe Cordina wins lightweight gold". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
30. "Lee Selby retains IBF title in scrappy win over Fernando Montiel". BBC Sport. 15 October 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
31. "Geraint Thomas: Team Sky rider wins E3 Harelbeke in Belgium". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
32. "Tour of Britain: Edvald Boasson Hagen claims race win". BBC Sport. 13 September 2015. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
33. BBC News - "Cardiff City mark return to blue with win against Fulham", 10 January 2015. Accessed 11 January 2015
34. Lauletta, Dan (5 July 2015). "Bassett starts, England beats Germany for 3rd place". The Equalizer. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
35. "Fifa rankings: Wales enter world top 10 for first time". BBC Sport. 9 July 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
36. "Wales qualify for Euros despite loss". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
37. "Garry Monk: Swansea City part company with manager". BBC Sport. 9 December 2015. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
38. "Conditional Championship: Sean Bowen wins young jockey title". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
39. Racing Better - Coral Welsh National 2015. Accessed 6 January 2016
40. Williams, Aled (15 November 2015). "World Rally Championship: Sebastien Ogier wins Wales Rally GB". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
41. "Wales rugby league stars crowned European champions". walesonline.co.uk. 8 November 2015. Retrieved 20 December 2015.
42. "Six Nations 2015: Ireland win title from England & Wales". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
43. "Rugby World Cup 2015: Robbie Henshaw out of Ireland opener". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
44. Williams, Richard (17 October 2015). "Rugby World Cup 2015: South Africa 23-19 Wales". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
45. "Rob Davies claims second European gold in para table tennis". bbc.co.uk. 17 October 2015. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
46. "Hollywood star Michael Sheen gets really, REALLY serious", Wales Online, 20 February 2015. Accessed 25 February 2015
47. "Huw Edwards’s Travelling Life", The Telegraph, 1 June 2015. Accessed 2 June 2015
48. BBC News - "New Welsh language film of Dylan Thomas's Under Milk Wood". Accessed 25 February 2015
49. "A vicar who’s dying to live – new Sunday drama on S4C", S4C. Accessed 29 June 2015
50. "BBC Wales celebrates Patagonia landmark". Accessed 2 June 2015
51. Obituary: Triple Olympic gold-medallist Richard Meade
52. RIP Paul Morgan
53. "Wales and Lions prop Howard Norris dies". espn.co.uk. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
54. BBC News, "Steve Strange, Visage lead singer, dies aged 55", 13 February 2015. Accessed 15 Feb 2015
55. Historian and BBC commentator John Davies dies aged 76
56. Former BBC Wales man Dr Meredydd Evans dies aged 95
57. Welsh author John Rowlands dies, 76
58. Man found dead believed to be missing man and renowned artist Roger Cecil - 'One of Wales’ most accomplished artists'
59. Welsh artist and lecturer Osi Rhys Osmond dies
60. BBC News, "Writer Harri Pritchard Jones dies aged 81", 11 March 2015. Retrieved 12 March 2015
61. Tributes paid to former Glamorgan cricketer Jamie Bishop
62. Wales player Danny Jones dies after heart-attack during rugby league match
63. Obituary Notice
64. BRIDGES : Obituary
65. "Moc Morgan". The Times (71660). London. 25 July 2015. pp. 76-77. (subscription required (help)).
66. Roger Rees, Stage Actor Made Famous by Nicholas Nickleby, Dies at 71
67. BBC Sport - "Ernie Lewis: Oldest WRU international referee dies, aged 91". Accessed 30 July 2015
68. Ken Jones, Welsh Author and Activist, Dies at 85
69. Former Swansea City and Wales goalkeeper Tony Millington dies aged 72
70. Chris Marustik: Former Wales and Swansea defender dies
71. Beata Brookes: Former Conservative Euro MP dies at 84
72. The Damned bassist Bryn Merrick dies at Llandough Hospital after a battle with cancer
73. Oldest living British Lion, Trevor Lloyd, dies aged 91 Archived October 6, 2015, at the Wayback Machine.
74. Ex-Tory chancellor Lord Geoffrey Howe dies aged 88
75. A memorable mezzo has died
76. Mike Davies dies at 79; tennis innovator brought new color and exposure to game
77. Wayne Bickerton RIP
78. Alex Kersey-Brown: Former Wales Rugby League player dies
79. Mick McLaughlin, who was part of the Hereford United team that beat Newcastle United in 1972, has died
80. R.I.P. Gareth Mortimer of Racing Cars At Age 66