This article is about the significance of the year 1961 to Wales and its people. Incumbents Archbishop of Wales – Edwin Morris, Bishop of Monmouth Archdruid of the National Eisteddfod of Wales – Trefin Events 16 February – The , a loaded tanker barge bound for Sharpness from Swansea, turns over in the Severn Estuary. 17 February – The BP Explorer is seen bouncing upside down through the recently wrecked (October 26, 1960) Severn Railway Bridge. Her crew of five men are killed. 1 October – Tabernacle Chapel, Cardiff, hosts the first-ever broadcast of the long-running national BBC Television series Songs of Praise. 8 November – In a referendum on Sunday opening of public houses, the counties of Anglesey, Cardiganshire, Caernarfonshire, Carmarthenshire, Denbighshire, Merionethshire, Montgomeryshire and Pembrokeshire all vote to stay "dry". 9 November – Rosemarie Frankland, originally from Rhosllanerchrugog, wins the Miss World title. 19 November – During construction of the Severn Bridge three men fall into the river. A rescue boat crewed by two men sets sail from Chepstow, not knowing that the three men have been picked up safely by a ferry, the Severn Princess. Two empty tanker barges coming down from Sharpness collide with the rescue boat, which has no navigation lights. One member of the rescue boat crew is drowned. The Llyn Celyn reservoir is constructed in the valley of the River Tryweryn in North Wales to provide water for Liverpool, destroying the village of Capel Celyn. Gwynfor Evans becomes president of the Celtic League. Formation in Pontypridd of the first Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baháʼí Faith entirely of native Welsh Baháʼís. Arts and literature Richard Booth opens the first used bookstore in Hay-on-Wye. Keith Baxter makes his Broadway debut as King Henry VIII in A Man for All Seasons. Awards National Eisteddfod of Wales, held in Rhosllanerchrugog: Chairing of the Bard – Emrys Edwards Crowning of the Bard – L. Haydn Lewis Prose Medal – withheld Gold Medal: Fine Art – Ceri Richards New books English language Dannie Abse – The Eccentric Richard Hughes – The Fox in the Attic Bertrand Russell – Fact and Fiction Emlyn Williams – George Raymond Williams – The Long Revolution Welsh language Pennar Davies – Yr Efrydd o Lyn Cynon Islwyn Ffowc Elis – Tabyrddau'r Tabongo W. J. Gruffydd (Elerydd) – Ffenestri Caradog Prichard – Un Nos Ola Leuad Music Alun Hoddinott – Concerto for Piano, Winds