This article is about the particular significance of the year 1959 to Wales and its people. Incumbents Minister of Welsh Affairs – Henry Brooke Archbishop of Wales – Edwin Morris, Bishop of Monmouth Archdruid of the National Eisteddfod of Wales – William Morris Events 1 January – The 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards (informally known as the "Welsh Cavalry") is formed. February – The Queen makes the red dragon on a green and white background the official flag of Wales. 4 May – Aneurin Bevan is elected deputy leader of the Labour Party. 6 August – Huw T. Edwards leaves the Labour Party for Plaid Cymru in protest at the decision to flood the Tryweryn valley. 8 October – At the UK general election: Newly elected MPs include John Morris (Aberavon); Donald Box (Cardiff North); Ifor Davies (Gower) and Geraint Morgan (Denbigh). Poet Waldo Williams stands as a Plaid Cymru candidate. Hugh Dalton retires from Parliament. The Local Government Commission for Wales is set up, chaired by Sir Guildhaume Myrddin-Evans. Sir William Jones resigns from the Council for Wales and Monmouthshire in protest at the appointment of Henry Brooke. Will Paynter becomes Secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers (Great Britain). Gomer Berry, 1st Viscount Kemsley, sells his holdings in Kemsley Newspapers to Roy Thomson. Gilbern Sports Cars begin production of their kit cars at Llantwit Fardre, Pontypridd, Glamorgan. Arts and literature 8 January – Sir Lewis Casson and Dame Sybil Thorndike celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary (last December) by appearing together in Eighty in the Shade, a play written especially for them, in London. 9 January – Shirley Bassey is the first Welsh singer to hit number one in the UK singles chart, with "As I Love You". December – Actress Siân Phillips marries Peter O'Toole in Dublin. Literature Wales is established as The Academi. Harry Secombe is voted Show Business Personality of the Year. Awards National Eisteddfod of Wales (held in Caernarfon) National Eisteddfod of Wales: Chair – T. Llew Jones National Eisteddfod of Wales: Crown – Tom Huws National Eisteddfod of Wales: Prose Medal – William Owen New books English language Menna Gallie – Strike for a Kingdom Edgar Phillips – Edmund Jones, "The Old Prophet" Bertrand Russell – My Philosophical Development Welsh language Albert Evans-Jones – Cerddi Cynan, y casgliad cyflawn D. Gwenallt Jones – Gwreiddiau Kate Roberts – Te yn y Grug Music Grace Williams