This article is about the particular significance of the year 2013 to Wales and its people.
Incumbents
First Minister – Carwyn Jones Secretary of State for Wales – David Jones Archbishop of Wales – Barry Morgan, Bishop of Llandaff Archdruid of the National Eisteddfod of Wales – Jim Parc Nest
Events
January 1 January – Welsh recipients of New Year Honours include cycling coach Dave Brailsford, Glamorgan cricketer Robert Croft and politician Roger Williams. 3 January – The Met Office reports that 2012 was the third wettest year on record for Wales. 18 January – Heavy snow brings wide-ranging disruption throughout Wales, especially in Brecon and the Heads of the Valleys. 29 January – A deal struck between the BBC and S4C ensures independent Welsh language broadcasting, funded by the BBC licence fee, until 2017.
February 5 February – Welsh Secretary David Jones is criticised by the media and political opponents for taking an official car for a 100-metre journey from the Wales Office to 10 Downing Street. 9 February – Over 100 people gather to mark the 50th anniversary of the bombing of an electricity transformer by Mudiad Amddiffyn Cymru at the construction site of the Tryweryn reservoir. 12 February – A meat firm in Aberystwyth is raided by police in a wider investigation into the mislabelling of horsemeat in British processed foods. 19 February – The sky above the Brecon Beacons National Park is granted the status of international dark sky reserve. The first such area in Wales and only the fifth worldwide.
March 1 March Charles, Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall visit Cardiff as part of Saint David's Day celebrations, though it is announced that the Queen has been forced to cancel a visit to Swansea the following day due to ill health. Karl Jenkins signs to Deutsche Grammophon and announces a new album, to be called Adiemus Colores."Karl Jenkins reveals new Adiemus album", Classic-FM 1 March 2013. Accessed 3 March 2013 22–23 March – Heavy snow across north and eastern Wales causes over 3,000 homes to suffer power losses. 27 March – The Welsh government buys Cardiff Airport for 52 Million pounds. The airport had experienced a reduction in passenger numbers to one million in 2012 after a peak of two million in 2007.
April
1 April – Natural Resources Wales becomes operational, replacing the Countryside Council for Wales.Natural Resources Wales. 3 April – 2013 Swansea measles epidemic: The number of measles cases in the Swansea area surpasses 500. The epidemic is believed to be linked to the MMR vaccine controversy. 11 April – University of South Wales formed from the merger of the University of Glamorgan and the University of Wales, Newport. 26 April – A fire at the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth results in damage to a portion of its collection.
May 2 May – Anglesey is the only part of Wales to vote in the United Kingdom local elections, the election having been postponed from 2012 by the Welsh Government, in order to allow an electoral review to take place.BBC News Anglesey council election postponed for one year to 2013 (17 January 2012) 9 May – Janet Henderson, Llandaff's first female dean, resigns after only two months in the role.BBC News – "Llandaff Cathedral dean Janet Henderson resigns after two months", 9 May 2013. Accessed 10 May 2013 18 May – Bonnie Tyler represents the United Kingdom in the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest, singing "Believe in Me", amassing a total of 28 points to finish well down the field. 23 May – Charles, Prince of Wales, visits the Hay Festival on the opening day of the 2013 event. Charles and his consort are delayed when the helicopter bringing them from London is forced to land in Buckinghamshire by a "technical fault".BBC News: "Prince Charles and Duchess of Cornwall visit Hay festival", 23 May 2013. Accessed 26 May 2013 27 May – The Urdd eisteddfod opens at Cilwendeg Farm near Boncath, Pembrokeshire.Urdd official website. Accessed 26 May 2013 28 May – Paul Mealor's latest work, The Farthest Shore (chorus, boys choir, brass & organ, 2013) receives its première in St David's Cathedral. 30 May – Mark Bridger is found guilty of the abduction and murder of five-year-old April Jones. He is given a whole-life sentence.
June 15 June – Welsh recipients of honours in the Queen's 2013 Birthday Honours list include philanthropist Michael Moritz (knighthood), politician Kirsty Williams (CBE), comedian Rob Brydon (MBE), and musicians Aled Jones (MBE) and Tim Rhys-Evans (MBE)."Queen's Birthday Honours: Wales' richest man and stars of stage and screen get gongs", Wales Online, 14 June 2013. Accessed 15 June 2013 16–23 June – BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 30th anniversary competition takes place in St David's Hall, Cardiff. 23 June – Christine James takes up her post as Archdruid of the National Eisteddfod of Wales at the Proclamation Ceremony for the 2013 Eisteddfod. James is the first woman to hold the position, as well as the first Welsh learner to do so. 25 June – Welsh Education Minister Leighton Andrews resigns from the post after a conflict of interest between his support for a constituent led campaign and government policy. His decision is seen as the first instance of a forced resignation in the history of the Assembly.
July 2 July – Wales becomes the first country in the United Kingdom to bring into law an opt-out organ donation system. 3 July – The 2013 Swansea measles epidemic is declared over, eight months after it began. 1,219 people, mainly children, have been diagnosed with the disease during the outbreak. 13 July – Wales's highest temperature of the year so far is recorded, at 30.2 degrees C (Llysdinam weather station)Met Office observations. Accessed 14 July 2013 13–14 July – Four people die in three separate incidents on the Brecon Beacons. Two Territorial Army reservists die during an army training exercise, while there are two record swimming deaths at Cantref and Ponsticill Reservoirs.
August 1 August – The 2013 Ynys Môn by-election is held for the Welsh Assembly constituency of Ynys Môn, following the resignation on 20 June 2013 of its sitting Assembly Member, Ieuan Wyn Jones. Plaid Cymru's Rhun ap Iorwerth retains the seat for the party. 25 August – It is confirmed that North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Winston Roddick is being investigated by the Independent Police Complaints Commission after being suspected of having breached the terms of his election to the position. 27 August – Helen Mary Jones announces that she will not stand again as Chair of Plaid Cymru.BBC News, "Plaid Cymru chair Helen Mary Jones to stand down", 27 August 2013. Accessed 13 October 2013
September 12 September – The Church in Wales passes a bill that will allow women to be consecrated as bishops. 26 September – Almost a year after her disappearance, a funeral is held in Machynlleth for April Jones."April Jones Funeral: Machynlleth Says Goodbye", Sky News, 26 September 2013. Accessed 27 September 2013 28 September – Only Men Aloud! begin rehearsing with their new 8-man line-up.Wales Online, "Only Men Aloud unveil their new look and new members", 28 September 2013
October
1 October – Sir John Thomas is appointed as Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales. 4 October – Despite some opposition from residents, the Newport Chartist Mural off John Frost Square is demolished to make way for a new shopping centre development. 11 October – In her speech at the end of Plaid Cymru's annual conference, party leader Leanne Wood pledges to reduce energy bills.BBC News – "Plaid Cymru conference: Leanne Wood's pledge to cut energy bills", 11 October 2013. Accessed 13 October 2013 14 October – The new Wales National Mining Memorial is unveiled at Senghenydd, on the 100th anniversary of Britain's worst-ever mining disaster.BBC News – "Senghenydd: Centenary of UK's worst pit disaster marked". Accessed 14 October 2013 15 October – the 300th anniversary of John Wesley's first sermon in Wales is commemorated with the unveiling of a bronze bust in Devauden, Monmouthshire.
November 1 November – In a joint statement issued by David Cameron and Nick Clegg at the Senedd, the Welsh government is to be offered some control over income tax subject to a referendum. 10 November – Troops from the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Welsh make their final appearance at a Remembrance Day service in Wrexham, prior to vacating Hightown Barracks. 23 November – British pop artist Sir Peter Blake sees his collection of work based on Dylan Thomas' Under Milk Wood exhibited at the National Museum Cardiff. The collection of watercolours, illustrations and collages had taken Sir Peter 28 years to complete. 26 November – Former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams give the annual TS Eliot Lecture at Clare College, Cambridge; his speech is entitled Eliot’s Christian Society and the current political crisis.Hugh Muir, "Diary: Rowan Williams is back and bashing the prime minister", The Guardian, 27 November 2013. Accessed 29 December 2013
December December – Old wooden Pont Briwet, found in November to have been affected by the piling work for the new bridge alongside, is declared structurally unsafe and closed completely to road and rail traffic. 18 December – At Cardiff Crown Court, rock star Ian Watkins receives a sentence of 29 years imprisonment plus an extended licence period of 6 years for sexual offences against the children of two women convicted with him who receive sentences of 14 years and 17 years imprisonment. 26 December – Boxing Day gales affect North and Mid Wales, with a total of 20,000 homes losing their electricity supply over a 3-day period.BBC News – Wales. Accessed 29 December 2013 27 December – Maria Leijerstam from the Vale of Glamorgan becomes the first person to cycle to the South Pole.BBC News, "Maria Leijerstam is first person to cycle to South Pole", 27 December 2013. Accessed 29 December 2013 30 December – Katherine Jenkins says she feels "humbled" by receiving the OBE in the 2014 New Year Honours.BBC News – New Year Honours. Accessed 31 December 2013 Other Welsh awardees include Rosemary Butler and Ruth Jones. 31 December – A record number of competitors take part in the annual Nos Galan road race in Mountain Ash. The 'mystery' runner is revealed to be Wales and British & Irish Lions rugby player Alun Wyn Jones.
Arts and literature
Welsh Awards Glyndŵr Award National Eisteddfod of Wales: Chair – withheld National Eisteddfod of Wales: Crown – Ifor ap GlynWales Online, "Poet Ifor ap Glyn awarded crown at National Eisteddfod", 5 August 2013. Accessed 25 August 2013 National Eisteddfod of Wales: Prose Medal – Jane Jones Owen National Eisteddfod of Wales: Drama Medal – Glesni Haf Jones Gwobr Goffa Daniel Owen: Bet Jones, Craciau Wales Book of the Year: English language: Rhian Edwards Clueless Dogs Welsh language: Heini Gruffudd, Yr Erlid Dylan Thomas Prize: Battleborn – Claire Vaye Watkins Kyffin Art Prize:
New books
English language Mark Baker, Dewi Gregory & Siân Price – Y Plas – The Story Of The Welsh Country HouseWelsh Books Council . Accessed 23 November 2013 Jonathan Hicks – The Dead of Mametz Roger Williams – Tir Sir Gâr (play)
Welsh language Christine James – Rhwng y Llinellau Alan Llwyd – Bob – Cofiant R. Williams ParrySwansea University Media Centre. Accessed 3 May 2013
Film Y Syrcas, starring Saran Morgan
Music
Awards Cân i Gymru – Jessop a'r Sgweiri, Mynd I Gorwen Hefo Alys Welsh Music Prize – Georgia Ruth, Week of Pines
Albums Euros Childs – Situation Comedy Mark Llywelyn Evans – This Guy's In LoveWales Online, "Rob Brydon helps baritone Mark Llewelyn Evans launch his new album", 13 July 2013 Accessed 29 December 2013 Wynne Evans – WynneClassic FM CDs. Accessed 29 December 2013 Future of the Left – How to Stop Your Brain in an Accident Cate Le Bon – Mug Museum Neon Neon – Praxis Makes Perfect Georgia Ruth – Week of Pines Sweet Baboo – Ships Bryn Terfel – Homeward Bound (with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir)