This article is about the particular significance of the year 1990 to Wales and its people. Incumbents Secretary of State for Wales – Peter Walker (until 4 May); David Hunt Archbishop of Wales – George Noakes, Bishop of St David's Archdruid of the National Eisteddfod of Wales Deudraeth (outgoing) Ap Llysor (incoming) Events 26 February - The sea wall at Towyn is breached, resulting in flood damage to 2,800 homes, and the evacuation of a further 2,000. 10 June - Death of John Evans, Britain's oldest man whose age (112 years and 295 days) could be authenticated. 2 August - Highest ever temperature recorded in Wales until 2022, 35.2 °C (95.4 °F) at Hawarden. 27 September - Brymbo Steelworks last tapped. 1 November - Veteran Conservative politician Sir Geoffrey Howe resigns from the government. December - Privatisation of the former South Wales Electricity Board (SWEB) and Merseyside and North Wales Electricity Board (MANWEB). 21 December - Last underground shift worked at Mardy Colliery. date unknown - Following a referendum, the Vaynor Community Council in Merthyr Tydfil is abolished, the first time such an action has taken place. Arts and literature Commercial sponsorship of the National Eisteddfod of Wales exceeds £1 million for the first time ever. Griffith R. Williams of Llithfaen, Gwynedd, publishes his autobiography, Cofio canrif, making him the world's oldest author at 102. Geraint Talfan Davies becomes Controller of BBC Wales. Awards National Eisteddfod of Wales (held in Rhymney Valley) National Eisteddfod of Wales: Chair - Myrddin ap Dafydd, "Gwythiennau" National Eisteddfod of Wales: Crown - Iwan Llwyd, "Gwreichion" National Eisteddfod of Wales: Prose Medal - withheld Gwobr Goffa Daniel Owen - Geraint V. Jones, Yn y Gwaed New books John Barnie - The King of Ashes Carol-Ann Courtney - Morphine and Dolly Mixtures Rees Davies - Conquest and Domination Christine Evans - Cometary Phases David Jones - Rebecca's Children David H. Williams (Welsh Historian) - Atlas of Cistercian Lands in Wales Raymond Williams - People of the Black Mountains, vol. 2: The Eggs of the Eagle Welsh language Sioned Davies - Pedair Keinc y Mabinogi Hywel Teifi Edwards - Codi'r Hen Wlad yn ei Hôl Alun Jones - Plentyn y Bwtias Dic Jones - Os Hoffech Wybod R. Gerallt Jones - Cerddi 1955-1989 Gwyneth Lewis - Sonedau Redsa A Cherddi Eraill Selyf Roberts - Gorwel Agos Music Bob Delyn a'r Ebillion - Sgwarnogod Bach Bob Datblygu -