{{short description|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see WP:SDNONE --> {{Year in Wales header|2002}} This article is about the particular significance of the year '''2002''' to Wales and its people.

==Incumbents== {{For|United Kingdom incumbents|2022 in the United Kingdom#Incumbents}} *First Minister – Rhodri Morgan<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/may/18/rhodri-morgan-obituary |title=Rhodri Morgan obituary |last=Hannan |first=Patrick |author-link=Patrick Hannan (presenter)|date=18 May 2017 |website=The Guardian |access-date=18 May 2017}}</ref> *Secretary of State for Wales **Paul Murphy (until 24 October)<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7207762.stm|title=Murphy returns as Welsh secretary|work=bbc.co.uk|access-date=2016-11-13}}</ref> **Peter Hain *Archbishop of Wales – Rowan Williams, Bishop of Monmouth (translated) *Archdruid of the National Eisteddfod of Wales **Meirion Evans (outgoing)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.peoplescollection.wales/items/24265|title=An Archdruid's Experiences|website=People's Collection Wales|access-date=4 August 2022}}</ref> **Robyn Llŷn (incoming)

==Events== *In the BBC's 100 Greatest Britons poll,<ref>{{cite web| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/2208671.stm| title=100 great British heroes| publisher=BBC News| date=21 August 2002}} (contains the top 100, sorted alphabetically)</ref> those with a Welsh connection who finished in the top 100 were: **Diana, Princess of Wales – 3 **Elizabeth I of England – 7 **Owain Glyndŵr – 23 **Henry VIII of England – 40 **Aneurin Bevan – 45 **Henry V of England – 72 **Richard Burton – 96 *14 February – at the Ogmore by-election, the Labour Party candidate Huw Irranca-Davies holds the seat held by Sir Ray Powell until his death<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/1821487.stm |title=Labour holds Ogmore with cut majority |website=BBC News |date=15 February 2002 |access-date=31 July 2022}}</ref> *13 March – The ferry {{MS|Stena Europe}} is introduced on the Fishguard&ndash;Rosslare route.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.niferry.co.uk/stena-europe-gotaverken-arendal-gva-908/|title=Stena Europe – Stena Line|website=NIFerrySite|date=11 April 2022 |access-date=31 July 2022}}</ref> *April – Welsh Assembly Government concessionary travel scheme (‘Cerdyn Cymru’) entitles over-60s and registered disabled people to uniform free off-peak travel on all stage carriage bus services. *May – H & Claire release their debut single. *May 25 – Jessica Garlick represents the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest held in Estonia.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Final of Tallinn 2002|url=https://eurovision.tv/event/tallinn-2002/final|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210408182851/https://eurovision.tv/event/tallinn-2002/final|archive-date=8 April 2021|access-date=8 April 2021|publisher=European Broadcasting Union}}</ref> *June **Archaeologists discover the Newport ship. **DNA from the exhumed body of Joe Kappen proves beyond reasonable doubt that he was responsible for the murders of three teenage girls in 1973. *June 18 – Cowbridge businessman Peter Shaw is kidnapped while working in Tbilisi, Georgia. He is held in brutal conditions until he escapes in November.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2002/nov/08/world.owenbowcott|title=Free at last: Briton escapes after four months held in a hole in the ground|date=8 November 2002|author=Owen Bowcott|website=The Guardian|access-date=11 July 2024}}</ref> *June 28 – David Morris receives four life sentences for the Clydach murders of June 1999. Despite his having been a suspect days after the murder was committed, it had taken police 21 months to arrest and charge him. *July **Research reveals that Wales has the highest figures for company failures of any region of the UK. **Ebbw Vale Steelworks shut down. *August – "Barney" saves his owners' lives by warning them of a fire at their home in Wrexham. *August 5 – Rowan Williams is admitted to the Gorsedd of bards. *October – Archaeological excavations on a Bronze Age site recover the Banc Ty'nddôl sun-disc, one of the earliest gold objects found in Wales. *October 24 – Paul Murphy is appointed Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

== Arts and literature == *Connie Fisher wins the Wilbert Lloyd Roberts Scholarship in the National Eisteddfod "Songs from the Shows" competition. *Menna Elfyn is named Poet Laureate for the Children of Wales.

=== Awards === *National Eisteddfod of Wales: Chair – Myrddin ap Dafydd *National Eisteddfod of Wales: Crown – Aled Jones Lewis *National Eisteddfod of Wales: Prose Medal – ''O! Tyn y Gorchudd – Hunangofiant Rebecca Jones'' by Angharad Price *Wales Book of the Year: **English language: Stevie Davies, ''The Element of Water''<ref>{{cite web |title=Best Books of 2002|publisher=The Observer|date=1 December 2002|url= https://www.theguardian.com/books/2002/dec/01/bestbooksof20022#Kennedy|accessdate=24 July 2017}}</ref> **Welsh language: *Gwobr Goffa Daniel Owen – Eirug Wyn<ref name="EirugWyn">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2004/jun/11/guardianobituaries.booksobituaries|title=Eirug Wyn|date=11 June 2004|author=D Ben Rees|website=The Guardian|access-date=17 January 2024}}</ref> *John Tripp Prize for Spoken Poetry – Cliff Forshaw

=== New books === ==== English language ==== *Richard J. Evans – ''Telling Lies About Hitler'' *Ken Follett – ''Hornet Flight''<ref>{{cite book|author=Ken Follett|title=Hornet Flight|publisher=Pan|year=2002|isbn=9780330490689}}</ref> *Steve Jones – ''Y: The Descent of Men''<ref>{{cite book | author=Jones, Steve | title=Y: The Descent of Men | publisher=Flamingo | year=2003 | isbn=0-618-13930-3 | url=https://archive.org/details/ydescentofmen000jone }}</ref> *Jo Mazelis – ''Diving Girls'' *Jan Morris – ''A Writer's House in Wales''<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/reviews/writer-s-house-wales-jan-morris-9146978.html|title=A Writer's House in Wales|first=Penelope|last=Lively|date=23 February 2014|work=The Independent|access-date=22 November 2020}}</ref> *Steve Strange – ''Blitzed! The Autobiography of Steve Strange'' *Rachel Trezise – ''In and Out of the Goldfish Bowl'' *Rowan Williams – ''Arius – Heresy and Tradition''

==== Welsh language ==== *Grahame Davies – ''Cadwyni Rhyddid'' *Angharad Price – ''O! Tyn y Gorchudd'' *Eirug Wyn – ''Bitsh''<ref name="EirugWyn"/>

=== Drama === *Dic Edwards – ''Franco's Bastard''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britishtheatreguide.info/reviews/francosbastard-rev|title=Franco's Bastard|author=Rebecca Nesvet|website=British Theatre Guide|access-date=17 January 2024}}</ref>

==Film== *Christian Bale stars in ''Laurel Canyon''. *Anthony Hopkins plays Hannibal Lecter for the third time, in ''Red Dragon''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/film/anthony-hopkins-regrets-silence-of-the-lambs-seque-868364|title=Anthony Hopkins regrets 'Silence of the Lambs' sequels|date=10 January 2016|author=James Hendicott|website=NME|access-date=11 July 2024}}</ref>

=== Welsh-language films === *''Gwyfyn''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/cymru/adloniant/ffilm/021126gwyfyn.shtml |title=Mwynhad yn y tywyllwch |language=Welsh |trans-title=Enjoyment in the dark |date=26 November 2002 |publisher=BBC}}</ref> *''Oedd yr Addewid''

== Music == *3SL – "Take it Easy" (single) *Carreg Lafar – ''Profiad'' (album)<ref>{{cite book|title=The Year's Best Fantasy and Horror|publisher=St. Martin's Press|year=2003|page=XLIV}}</ref> *Feeder – ''Comfort In Sound'' (album) *Mclusky – ''Mclusky Do Dallas''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/music/10-underrated-punk-albums-that-should-be-considered-classics-6612402|title=10 Underrated Punk Albums That Should Be Considered Classics|first=Tom|last=Reardon|date=25 August 2014|website=Phoenix New Times|access-date=11 July 2024}}</ref> *Bonnie Tyler – ''Heart & Soul/Heart Strings'' (album)

==Broadcasting== ===English-language television=== *''Cable TV'' (chat show with Stuart Cable)<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/3138792.stm|title=Stereophonics sack drummer Cable|publisher=BBC Wales|date=25 September 2003|access-date=7 June 2010}}</ref>

===Welsh-language television=== *''Gwyfyn''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-96391223.html |title=Ffilm hynod sy'n brawf bod y diwylliant teledu Cymraeg wedi aeddfedu| author=Robyn Tomos |publisher=Western Mail |date=1 November 2003|language=cy}}</ref>

==Sport==

===BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year=== *Mark Hughes<ref>{{cite news |title=BBC Wales Sport Personality winners |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/wales/20670643 |access-date=2 August 2021}}</ref>

===2002 Commonwealth Games=== *25 July to 4 August – At the Commonwealth Games in Manchester, the Wales team wins a total of 33 medals: 6 gold, 15 silver and 12 bronze.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/commonwealthgames2002/bsp/statistics/medal.stm|title=Commonwealth Games Manchester 2002|website=BBC Sport|access-date=11 July 2024}}</ref>

===Cycling=== *Andrew Windsor wins the Welsh National Road Race Championships.

===Football=== *John Fashanu becomes Chairman of Barry Town. *Barry Town are Welsh Cup winners after beating Bangor City 4–1, and win a sixth League of Wales title. *Winners of the three divisions in the Welsh Football League are: Ton Pentre (Division 1), Garden Village (Division 2) & Newport YMCA (Division 3). *Welshpool Town are champions of the Cymru Alliance.

===Horse racing=== *27 December – The Welsh National is won by Mini Sensation, ridden by Tony Dobbin.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/12/chepstow/2002-12-27/324605/ |publisher=Racing Post |title=2:50 Chepstow, Coral Welsh National Showcase Handicap (Chase) Class A Grade 3 |date=27 December 2002 }}</ref>

===Rugby union=== *December – Brynmawr RFC and Abertillery RFC withdraw from the Principality Cup, after the Welsh Rugby Union makes an error during the live radio draw for the fifth round.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/celtic/2560887.stm |title=Abertillery withdraw from Cup |date=11 December 2002 |publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref>

===Snooker=== *27 January – Paul Hunter wins the Welsh Open tournament in Cardiff.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snookerdatabase.co.uk/EventResults.aspx?EventKey=174 |title=2002 Welsh Open Results |date=2007 |website=Snooker Database |access-date=14 May 2019}}</ref> *3 March – Mark Williams wins the China Open tournament in Shanghai.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snooker.org/trn/0102/co2002_res.shtml |title=China Open 2002 |date=26 November 2014 |website=snooker.org |access-date=14 May 2019}}</ref> *15 December – Mark Williams wins his second UK Championship title.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/uk_championship_2002/2519393.stm |title=UK Championship full results |date=11 December 2002 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=19 May 2019}}</ref>

==Births== *23 February – Emilia Jones, actress, daughter of Aled Jones *15 September – Medi Harris, swimmer<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eurosport.com/swimming/medi-harris_prs626543/person.shtml|title=Medi Harris profile|website=Eurosport|access-date=4 August 2022}}</ref> *17 December – Matt Richards, Olympic swimmer (in Worcester)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/olympic-games/en/results/swimming/athlete-profile-n1665976-richards-matthew.htm|title=Richards Matthew|website=Olympics.com|access-date=12 August 2021|archive-date=12 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812121722/https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/olympic-games/en/results/swimming/athlete-profile-n1665976-richards-matthew.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> *22 December – Emma Finucane, cyclist<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclingarchives.com/coureurfiche.php?coureurid=153859|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331171332/http://www.cyclingarchives.com/coureurfiche.php?coureurid=153859|url-status=usurped|archive-date=March 31, 2022|title=Profile|website=Cycling Archives|access-date=30 March 2022}}</ref>

==Deaths== *2 January **Ian Grist, politician, 63<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2002/jan/22/guardianobituaries.obituaries|title=Ian Grist|date=22 January 2002|author=Andrew Roth|website=The Guardian|access-date=1 March 2019}}</ref> **Arthur Joseph, cricketer, 82 *7 January – Jon Lee, rock musician, 33 *12 January – Moss Evans, trade union leader, 76<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2002/jan/14/guardianobituaries.tradeunions|title=Moss Evans|date=14 January 2002|author=Geoffrey Goodman|website=The Guardian|access-date=1 March 2019}}</ref> *3 February – Edward Thomas Chapman, Victoria Cross recipient, 82 *22 February – David James, cricketer, 80 *7 March – Geoff Charles, photojournalist, 93<ref>{{cite DWB|last1=Troughton|first1=William|title=Charles, Geoffrey (1909-2002), photographer.|id=s11-CHAR-GEO-1909|accessdate=7 March 2018}}</ref> *2 March – Mary Grant Price, costume designer, 85<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2002/apr/16/guardianobituaries.veronicahorwell|title=Mary Grant Price|date=16 April 2002|author=Veronica Horwell|website=The Guardian|access-date=1 March 2019}}</ref> *3 March – Bill Hopkin, rugby player, 87 *6 March – David Jenkins, Librarian of the National Library of Wales 1969–79, 89 *7 May – Sir Ewart Jones, organic chemist and academic administrator, 91<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2002/may/18/guardianobituaries.obituaries|title=Sir Ewart Jones|date=18 May 2002|author=Pearce Wright|website=The Guardian|access-date=1 March 2019}}</ref> *26 September – Willie Davies, Wales international rugby union and league player, 86<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2002/oct/08/guardianobituaries.rugbyunion|title=Willie Davies|date=8 October 2002|author=Frank Keating|website=The Guardian|access-date=11 July 2024}}</ref> *6 October – Nick Whitehead, athlete, 69<ref name="independent">{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/nick-whitehead-613841.html |title=Nick Whitehead: Olympic sprinter and influential sports administrator |date=12 October 2002 |newspaper=The Independent |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090804101031/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/nick-whitehead-613841.html |archivedate=4 August 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> *November – Ernie Jones, footballer, 81/82 *3 November – Sir John Habakkuk, economic historian, 87<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2002/nov/14/guardianobituaries.highereducation|title=Sir John Habakkuk|date=14 November 2002|author=Negley Harte|website=The Guardian|access-date=1 March 2019}}</ref> *20 November – George Guest, organist and choirmaster of St John's College, Cambridge, 78<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2002/dec/04/guardianobituaries.artsobituaries|title=George Guest|date=4 December 2002|author=John Gummer|website=The Guardian|access-date=17 January 2024}}</ref> *December – Brian Morgan Edwards, businessman, 68 *10 December – Steve Llewellyn, rugby league player, 78 *24 December – Jake Thackray, singer-songwriter, 64<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2002/dec/28/guardianobituaries.artsobituaries1|title=Jake Thackray|date=28 December 2002|author=Alan Clayson|website=The Guardian|access-date=1 March 2019}}</ref> *31 December – Billy Morris, footballer, 84

==See also== *List of statutory instruments of the Welsh Assembly, 2002 *2002 in Northern Ireland

==References== {{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:2002 In Wales}} Category:2002 in Wales Wales Category:2000s in Wales Category:2002 in Europe