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Born on this day 1907 in Neath
Ray Milland - Academy Award-winning actor and director. His screen career ran from 1929 to 1985 and at one time, he was Paramount Pictures highest paid actor, co-starring alongside many of the most popular actresses of the time.
Milland was a member of the Household Cavalry of the British Army, before taking up acting. He initially took parts as an extra in many British productions before starring in "The Flying Scotsman", which resulted in him getting a contract with MGM
He then moved to the United States where he signed for Paramount and Universal, appearing in "Three Smart Girls" and "The Jungle Princess" with Dorothy Lamour, which made him an international star. After a further 20 years of acting success, he moved into directing.
Born on this day 1987 in Carmarthen.
Ken Owens - Wales rugby international, who was part of the Grand Slam winning side in 2012. Owen currently plays as hooker for the Scarlets regional side.
Born on this day 1892 in Bloemfontein, South Africa
JRR ( John Ronald Reuel) Tolkien, the author of The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion.
Tolkien, whose fiction is influenced by Wales, is known to have loved the Welsh landscape and its language. For example, the Elvish language, Sindarin, sounds very much like Welsh and many of his place names have similar Welsh equivalents e.g. Crick Hollow (Crickhowell)
Traditionally in the Western Church, the First Day of Christmas is Christmas Day, therefore, 3nd January is the Tenth Day of Christmas.
On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me - Ten Lords a Leaping
It is thought that "The Twelve Days of Christmas" was a song used by Catholics, who were wary of showing their faith openly. According to the theory, the subject of each verse represents a hidden religious meaning.
The Ten Lords a Leaping, represents The Ten Commandments.
The Ten Commandments, along with the Creed and the Lord's Prayer appear in the first book to be published in the Welsh language "Yn Y Lhyvr Hwnn" ( 'In This Book'). It was published in 1546 and was the work of John Price of Brecon.
The full list of suggested hidden meanings are;
* The partridge in a pear tree, represents Jesus Christ.
* Two turtle doves, represent the two Testaments
* Three French hens, represent faith, hope and love.
* The four calling birds, represent the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.
* The five golden rings, represent the first five books of the Old Testament.
* The six geese a-laying, represent the six days of the creation.
* Seven swans a-swimming, represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.
* The eight maids a-milking, represent the eight beatitudes, given in the Sermon on the Mount by Jesus.
* The nine ladies dancing, represent the Holy Spirit's nine fruits.
* The ten lords a-leaping, represent the Ten Commandments.
* The eleven pipers piping, represent the eleven faithful disciples.
* The twelve drummers drumming, represent the Apostles Creed's twelve points of belief.
The Cardiff Blitz, were the World War II bombings of Cardiff, by the Nazi German Luftwaffe, between July 1940 and March 1944. The worst night of bombings occurred on 2nd January 1941, when, 100 German aircraft took part in a 10-hour raid, that saw 165 people killed and 427 more injured, while nearly 350 homes were destroyed or had to be demolished. Western Cardiff was the worst hit area, particularly Canton and Riverside, where 116 people were killed, 50 of which were killed in one street in Riverside, De Burgh Street.
Cardiff was targeted because Cardiff Docks was one of the biggest coal ports in the world. In total, more than 2,100 bombs fell in the Cardiff district during the four years of bombings, with 355 people killed and 502 injured.
Born on this day 1856 in Pentrepoeth, Swansea.
John Viriamu Jones - scientist, who worked on measuring the ohm and an educationalist who worked to raise the standard of secondary education in Wales.
Jones was the first principal of Cardiff and Sheffield Universities, first vice-chancellor of the University of Wales and also principal of the Cardiff Technical School.
He was named after John Williams, the missionary to the South Pacific, 'Viriamu', in the language of the South Pacific island of Erromango means "Williams".
British Steel had just reported half-yearly losses and claimed it needed to reduce its workforce by approximately 30% in order to get back into profit. The steel workers feared British Steel's long term plans for profitability would mean the closure of some plants with the loss of thousands of jobs and the workers at Port Talbot and Llanwern in South Wales feared their plants would be the first to close.
After spreading to the privatised steel works, the strike lasted nearly 14 weeks, with the plants reopening after a pay package was agreed. Later that summer, however, 17,000 of the 24,000 South Wales steel workers were put on short time and by the end of 1980, British Steel had completed the closure of a number of outdated and loss-making plants, reducing its overall workforce from 268,500 employees to 130,000.
The drowning of rural Welsh valleys in order to provide English cities with water, often by compulsory purchase and without compensation, is a controversial subject which over the years has led to many protests.
On 2nd January 1982, The Welsh Army of Workers claimed responsibility for a bomb explosion at the Birmingham headquarters of the Severn Trent Water Authority. An hour later a second bomb was found and defused at the main complex of the International Development Corporation (IDC) in Stratford-upon-Avon. No one was hurt by the bombings, which were part of a campaign for local authorities from Birmingham and the West Midlands to pay for the water they receive from the Elan Valley reservoirs.
1880's - Lake Vyrnwy in Montgomeryshire was the first reservoir in Wales and at the time, it was the biggest man-made lake in the world. It was built to supply water to Liverpool and Merseyside and involved flooding the head of the Vyrnwy valley and submerging the small village of Llanwddyn.
1890s - The City of Birmingham Corporation bought 180km² of land in the Elan and Claerwen valleys in Powys, as there was an increasing demand for water in Birmingham for public health reasons and for industry.
1904 - The Elan Valley reservoir was opened to supply water to the City of Birmingham. The three dams opened there were - Craig Goch, Pen y Garreg and Caban Coch, with a surface area of 500 acres.
1907 - Llyn Alwen near Betws y Coed was constructed by the Wirral Water Board.to supply 9 million tons of water per day to Birkenhead.
1923 - Welsh MP's prevented the Corporation of Warrington drowning the Ceiriog valley near Wrexham.
1952 - Claerwen reservoir and dam in Elan Valley was opened and the area was leased by the Midlands for 999 years for a sum of 5 pence a year. It provides 75 tonnes of water per day.
1965 - Consruction of the Llyn Celyn reservoir in Gwynedd involved the drowning of the village of Capel Celyn, to supply water to Liverpool
1967 - Llyn Clywedog near Llanidloes was built to supply water to Birmingham and the English Midlands, following an Act of Parliament ordering its creation, despite strong local opposition.
Born on this day 1752 in Llandyfrydog, Anglesey.
Nicholas Owen - clergyman and antiquary who wrote on various topics from Welsh history, including the claim that it was Prince Madoc who first discovered America.
Owen was appointed perpetual curate of the now ruined St Michael's Church, Llanfihangel Ysgeifiog in Anglesey in 1790.
Traditionally in the Western Church, the First Day of Christmas is Christmas Day, therefore, 2nd January is the Ninth Day of Christmas.
On the ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me - Nine Ladies Dancing.
Dancing has always been popular in Wales. In the 16th century, the twmpath was an 0pportunity for the community to meet and dance in the open air to music provided by a musician sat on the tmwpath (a tump of raised ground). There was also step or clog dancing, which included stepping and displays of skill such as high leaps and the dancers putting out a candle flame with their feet.
However, when Nonconformity became dominant in the 1730s, dancing was discouraged as a more conservative way of life became expected by the ministers. This resulted in folk dancing almost vanishing in Wales by the 20th century.
The decline of traditional Welsh dancing was reversed in the 1930's when Lois Blake, an Englishwoman who had moved to Denbighshire, took it on herself to reintroduce the historic dance steps and music, such as Lord of Caernarvon's Jig of 1652, the Llangadfan set of 1790 and the Llanover Reel, popular at Llanover Court until the late 19th century.
Then in 1949, the Welsh Folk Dancing Society was established, which along the introduction of folk dancing into the National Eisteddfod programme has ensured an optimism for the continuation of Welsh folk dancing.
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Born on this day 1937 in Margam, near Port Talbot
Anthony Hopkins - Oscar winning actor.
Hopkins' schooldays were unproductive as he found that he would rather immerse himself in art, such as painting, drawing and playing the piano, than attend to his studies. His life path altered at age 15, following a brief encounter with Richard Burton, who encouraged him to become an actor. To that end, he enrolled at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama in Cardiff and then after two years national service, he moved to London and was invited by Laurence Oliver to study at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. From that moment on, he was to enjoy a successful career in cinema and television, with his remarkable acting style reaching the four corners of the world.
In 1998, Hopkins gave £1m to the National Trust in order for them to buy a large piece of land on Snowdon and therefore save it from private development. To learn scripts, Hopkins reads them out loud 250 times. He also learns a new poem every week to exercise his memory.
Humphrey (VI) de Bohun, 3rd Earl of Hereford(c. 1249 – 31 December 1298) - was an active participant in the Welsh Wars, who had inherited major possessions in the Welsh Marches from his mother, Eleanor de Braose.
1270 - Following the rebellion aganst King Henry III of England during the Second Barons' War of 1263–4 and the Treaty of Montgomery in 1267, at which Llywelyn ap Gruffudd was recognised as Prince of Wales by King Henry. Llywelyn had extended his territory into the Marches, taking much of de Bohun's land. Therefore much of de Bohun's focus was on reconquering these lands through private warfare against Llywelyn.
1272 - While Edward I was away crusading, Llywelyn refused to pay him homage, partly because of the military actions of de Bohun, which Llywelyn saw as violations of the Treaty of Montgomery.
1276 - de Bohun was present at a royal assembly where a judgment was passed against Llywelyn.
1277 - Edward I declared war on Llywelyn, with de Bohun serving in Anglesey.
1282 - War with Wales broke out again; this time a full-scale war of conquest. de Bohun assuming the role as Constable of England.
1294–95 - de Bohun fought again in Wales, in the suppression of the rebellion of Madog ap Llywelyn.
Born on this day 1878 in Llanfihangel-ar-Arth, Carmarthenshire and brought up in Rhydlewis, near Llandysul.
David Caradoc Evans - journalist, author and playwright.
Evans's best known work is a series of short stories called My People in which he highlights the hypocrisies he sees in the piety of non-conformist Christianity with the harsh reality of people living in poverty. The work attracted savage criticism from the press at the time and they referred to Williams as "the best hated man in Wales".
The Gop is a neolithic mound which lies north of Trelawnyd in Flintshire. It is the biggest prehistoric monument in Wales and was probably built around 3,000BC. Excavations have indicated that it was used as a look-out or hill fort and further down the hill there are are caves where burials date back possibly to 6,000 BC.
John Wynne (1650 – 31 December 1714) - the industrial pioneer and high Sheriff of Flintshire, was born and lived in Trelanwnyd
He had plans to turn Trelawnyd into the centre of the North Wales lead industry and an industrial town of some importance. He built houses, established a weekly market and built the Nonconformist chapel in 1701 as well as a grammar school at "plas yn dre". He also obtained permission to rename the village "Newmarket" in 1710. However his plans ultimately came to nothing, but Wynne was responsible for the village's growth and its population did top over 600 residents.
Ras Nos Galan
This is a race held in memory of Griffith Morgan (1700–1737) “the fastest man of his time”, known better as Guto Nyth Brân, from Llwyncelyn, near Porth. It is run every year on New Years Eve at Mountain Ash, over the course of Guto's first ever race. It has become a tradition of this race for a mystery runner to compete and over the years this has included Iwan Thomas, Linford Christie and Alun Wyn Jones At the conclusion of the race, a wreath is then placed on Guto's grave in Llanwynno graveyard. There is also a commemorative statue of Guto in Mountain Ash.
It was said that Guto's speed was first noticed, when he managed to catch a wild hare. Another legend has it that he could run the 7 miles, to the local town of Pontypridd and back home again, before his mother's kettle had boiled.
Seeing his potential the local shopkeeper, Siân o'r Siop (Siân from the Shop), became his trainer and manager and organised a race on Hirwaun Common against an unbeaten English Captain, for a £400 prize. Guto won the race won easily and kept on winning, remaining unbeaten until he was 30. Over the years, Guto and Sian had fallen in love and Guto decided to retire to enjoy a quiet life with Sian.
However, in 1737, a new champion runner had emerged, called the "Prince of Bedwas" and Sian persuaded Guto to have one last race against Prince, for a prize of 1000 guineas. The race was over the 12 miles from Newport to Bedwas and was a very even contest. Nearing the finish, Prince held a slender lead, however one last lung bursting effort from Guto, saw him cross the line first. However, in the celebrations after, Guto collapsed and died in Sian's arms.
Rowan Williams' 10 year term as Archbishop of Canterbury came to an end on 31st December 2012 and at a ceremony at Lambeth Palace, he gave the official robes that he had worn on his enthronement to the president of the National Museum Wales, where they will be displayed and will remain the property of the people of Wales.
The traditional carol "Deck the Halls" originates from the Welsh melody first found in a musical manuscript by Welsh harpist John Parry Ddall in 1741, It was subsequently published and named "Nos Galan" ("New Year's Eve") in 1784. Subsequently, the tune spread widely, with Mozart using it in a piano and violin concerto and Haydn in the song "New Year's Night."
Born on this day 1860 in Newport.
Horace Sampson Lyne - who won five caps for Wales, before retiring and becoming the WRU's longest serving president. Lyne is also notable as one of the six representatives that set up the International Rugby Board.
Traditionally in the Western Church, the First Day of Christmas is Christmas Day, therefore 31st December is the Seventh Day of Christmas.
On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me - Seven Swans a Swimming.
Several species of swan are found in Wales, but it is the mute swan that is most common, its population having recovered following the ban on lead fishing weights in 1987. Small numbers of Bewick and Whooper swans, over winter in Wales, with both species specially protected due to their small and vulnerable populations.
A history of Swans
* In Greek mythology, the story of Leda and the Swan describes Helen of Troy as being the daughter of Zeus disguised as a swan and Leda, Queen of Sparta. Other legends refer to the otherwise silent Mute Swan singing beautifully in death, hence the phrase swan song.
* A coat of arms was originally a knight's personal badge and many depicted birds especially swans. Later Henry V carried a swan on his pennon at Agincourt
* From the 12th century, the mute swan was a valuable commodity and was regularly traded between noblemen. It was also a favourite food of royalty and the owners of swans were duty bound to mark them by way of a succession of unique nicks in the beaks of their birds. It was and still is the duty of the Royal Swanmaster to organise the annual swan-upping and traditionally the British Monarch retained the right to ownership of all unmarked mute swans in open water. Today it serves as a check on the health of the swans
* Swansea is thought not to be named after the Swan, even though Swansea City F.C have adopted the Swan as their emblem and nick name. The name is considered to be of Viking origin.
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I have recently received an e-mail asking me to try and identify the sport and event of the attached photograph ...could anyone add to my query , a bit puzzled as this was bought in an auction in Edmonton , Alberta , Canada .
Born on this day 1921 in Blaenavon, Monmouthshire
Ken Jones - arguably, Wales’ greatest ever all-round sportsman.
Jones was not only a Welsh and Lions international, who won 44 consecutive caps for Wales and whose most famous score came in 1953, against the All Blacks. His pick up and try from a Clem Thomas kick gave Wales a famous victory and is still the last time we beat New Zealand. He also triumphed as a sprinter at the Olympic Games of 1948, when he was part of the Great Britain 4x100 metres relay team that won silver and later won a silver medal in the 220-yard sprint at the 1954 European Championships, when he had the honour of captaining the British team.
Born on this day 1931 in Dyserth, near Rhyl.
Sir John Houghton - A world-renowned expert on global warming, who was the lead editor and co-chair of the Nobel Peace Prize winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) scientific assessment working group.
He was brought up as an evangelical Christian by devout Christian parents and strongly believes in the connection between the environment and Christianity. He is currently an elder at Aberdovey Presbyterian Church.
Among his career achievements are;
* Professor in atmospheric physics at Oxford University.
* Chief Executive of the Met Office.
* Founder of the Hadley Centre, which is one of the United Kingdom's leading centres for the study of climate change.
* Chairman of the John Ray Initiative, an organisation which seeks to connect the environment, science and Christianity.
* Founder member of the International Society for Science and Religion.
In 2013, Sir John was anounced as an Advisory Board member for Sure Chill Technology, a technology that allows refrigerators to stay at 4C for more than 10 days without power and is used mainly in Africa' to store vaccines and other medical supplies.
Twm Sion Catti
Twm Sion Catti, was born Thomas Jones in Tregaron around 1530, the illegitimate son of Catherine Jones and the local squire.
Twm was brought up as a Protestant, so when the Catholic, Mary I became Queen, he went into hiding and initially earned his living by robbing the rich of West and Mid Wales. However as the law officer started to close in on him, he fled to Geneva and only returned when the Protestant Elizabeth I ascended to the throne and gave him an official pardon.
One tale tells how when a farmer was looking for him for stealing one of his bullocks, Twm disguised himself as a beggar and gave the farmer directions to Twm's house and offered to mind his horse whilst he went in. Twm then, not only galloped off on the farmers horse, but convinced the farmers wife that her husband was in serious trouble and that he needed to return with money. Suitably convinced the farmers wife gave Twm the money, who the rode off for London
Twm is also remembered for the caring way he treated his many victims, who is reported to as firing an arrow at, to pin them to their saddle rather than killing them. Twm arch enemy was the Sheriff of Carmarthen, whom he hid from in a cave on Dinas Hill, near to the village of Rhandirmwyn.
Later in life, Twm changed his ways and married Joan, a wealthy heiress in theTregaron area and even became a respected Justice of the Peace.
Christmas Customs in Wales.
The Mari Lwyd.
This was the Welsh tradition during the Christmas season of carrying a horse-figure from door to door by a group of Mari Lwyd singers. Although now extinct in most parts of Wales, it is still performed in some parts of Glamorgan., where it is not yet completely extinct. The group would often be invited into the house, where they would be given food, beer or money and then entertain the household with a farewell song.
Traditionally in the Western Church, the First Day of Christmas is Christmas Day, therefore 30th December is the Sixth Day of Christmas.
On the sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me - Six Geese a Laying.
The Brecon Buff is one of the few native breeds of geese in the UK, however, many species of wild geese over winter in Wales. However, the Greenland white fronted goose is becoming increasingly rare, with its last remaining population in Wales to be found on the Dyfi Estuary.
A brief history of the goose;
* About 3 000 years ago, the ancient Egyptians deliberately fattened geese for eating.
* The Greek poet Homer mentions Goose Husbandry in 700BC.
* The Romans in c 625BC recorded an efficient system for keeping geese for their meat, fat and feathers. They were also used as guard animals, famously saving Rome from the Gauls in 390, by raising the alarm.
* In the early middle ages, geese were an important part of the European peasant economy, as they were cheap to keep and gained weight quickly.
* In the 18th Century, geese accompanied cattle, when Welsh drovers took them to English markets. They were fitted with protective boots and were fast travellers as they could graze as they moved. There was also an increasing market for their feathers for use as ink quills.
* During the 1930’s and 40’s goose fat was used as a remedy for colds.
