2017 in Wales
This article is about the particular significance of the year 2017 to Wales and its people. Incumbents First Minister – Carwyn Jones Secretary of State for Wales – Alun Cairns Archbishop of Wales – Barry Morgan, Bishop of Llandaff; John Davies, Bishop of Swansea and Brecon, from 6 September Archdruid of the National Eisteddfod of Wales – Geraint Llifon National Poet of Wales – Ifor ap Glyn Events January 1 January – Wales football manager Chris Coleman is revealed as the Nos Galan runner at the traditional New Year event in the Cynon Valley. 27 January – A farewell service is held at Llandaff Cathedral for retiring Archbishop of Wales Barry Morgan. February February – It is announced that Coleg Harlech will close as an adult education site at the end of the academic year. 9 February – Christina Rees returns to the Labour front bench as Shadow Secretary of State for Wales. 22 February – The British government confirms that in future MPs will be able to use the Welsh language during meetings of the Welsh Grand Committee. March 13 March – A petition by the parents of April Jones, calling for sex offenders to remain on the register for life, is debated in Parliament. 30 March – Olympic cyclist Ciara Horne is injured in a traffic accident in Pontyclun, when a car collides with her bicycle. April 1 April – Sir Tom Jones is criticised for swearing audibly on live television during the final of The Voice UK. 6 April – Mark Reckless AM quits UKIP and will now support the Conservative Party group in the National Assembly for Wales. 21 April – Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn launches his general election campaign with a rally in Cardiff. 27 April – June Osborne is named as the new Bishop of Llandaff. 30 April – Ten men are arrested after a man dies following a violent altercation in Rhyl. May 4 May – Local elections in Wales, taking place concurrently with Scotland and parts of England. Labour lost control of Blaenau Gwent and Bridgend councils, while the Conservatives gained a majority in Monmouthshire. 13 May – Welsh singer Lucie Jones represents the UK in the final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2017, finishing in 15th place. 18 May Tributes are paid to Wales's former First Minister Rhodri Morgan by politicians from all parties, including Jeremy Corbyn, Leanne Wood and Lord German. The Welsh Assembly's Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Committee concludes that plans to double the number of Welsh speakers to one million by 2050 carry a "risk that this may have a distortive effect on the delivery of educational priorities as the system is realigned to be able to deliver the language strategy". 22 May – Welsh Labour launches its manifesto with a promise to support the construction of a new nuclear power station, Wylfa Newydd. 27 May – The 30th Hay Festival commences. Guest speakers at this year's event include Bernie Sanders, Stephen Fry, Garry Kasparov, Tracey Emin,