This article is about the particular significance of the year 1996 to Wales and its people. Incumbents Secretary of State for Wales – William Hague Archbishop of Wales – Alwyn Rice Jones, Bishop of St Asaph Archdruid of the National Eisteddfod of Wales John Gwilym Jones (outgoing) Dafydd Rowlands (incoming) Events 1 January - Michael German is awarded the OBE for his public and political service. 15 February - The Sea Empress, an oil tanker, runs aground off Milford Haven, causing devastation to the west Wales coastline. 1 April - The Local Government (Wales) Act 1994 comes into force, creating 22 unitary authorities. 3 April - The first EuroHowl is held in Aberystwyth, Wales. 29 June - The Prince's Trust concert in Hyde Park, London is attended by 150,000 people. 18 July - Howard Hughes is sentenced to life imprisonment at Chester Crown Court for the rape and murder of 7-year-old Sophie Hook at Llandudno 12 months previously. The trial judge recommends that Hughes, 31, should never be released. 28 August - The Prince and Princess of Wales, are formally divorced at the High Court of Justice in London, the first time in history that a Prince of Wales has successfully gone through a divorce. By negotiation, Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales is restyled, Diana, Princess of Wales. November - The Owain Glyndŵr Society is founded. date unknown The Church in Wales ordains its first women priests. South Wales Constabulary changes its name to South Wales Police. Arts and literature Sir Anthony Hopkins opens the Cliff Tucker Theatre at the University of Wales, Lampeter. Alice Thomas Ellis is dismissed as a columnist on the Catholic Herald newspaper because of her attack on the reputation of the late Archbishop Derek Worlock. Steve Balsamo stars in a West End revival of Jesus Christ Superstar. Awards Glyndŵr Award - Jan Morris National Eisteddfod of Wales (held in Ffairfach, near Llandeilo) National Eisteddfod of Wales: Chair - R. O. Williams National Eisteddfod of Wales: Crown - David John Pritchard National Eisteddfod of Wales: Prose Medal - withheld Wales Book of the Year: English language: Nigel Jenkins, Gwalia in Khasia Welsh language: Gwobr Goffa Daniel Owen - Eirug Wyn, Smoc Gron Bach New books Ron Berry - This Bygone Ruth Bidgood - The Fluent Moment Gillian Clarke - The Whispering Room Keith Kissack - The Lordship, Parish and Borough of Monmouth Howard Marks