A Night for Heroes

1st March 2004

100 Welsh Heroes was the centrepiece of the St David's Day 2004 celebrations in Wales. Hundreds of invited guests gathered at the Glee Club in Cardiff Bay to witness the climax of six months of nominations and voting. The results - along with contributions from some of the living heroes and a little musical entertainment - were transmitted live on BBC Radio Wales and streamed over the web. The Welsh-language television channel S4C also broadcast live excerpts and returned to 100 Welsh Heroes later in the evening for a special programme of discussion and debate. Both broadcasters gave away prized tickets to the event in special competitions.

The popular stage and screen actor, Philip Madoc - his silken tones lending the required gravitas to the occasion - together with the broadcaster Nicola Heywood Thomas, whose Radio Wales programme provided excellent support throughout the project, hosted the event. Nominated heroes in attendance included poet Dannie Abse, writers John Evans and Patrick Jones, musician Phil Campbell, former rugby international JPR Williams and charity organiser and war veteran Simon Weston. Tanni Grey Thompson, Sir Anthony Hopkins and Tom Jones sent messages of goodwill and thanks to the public for their nominations.

There were also live performances by Patrick Jones and critically acclaimed Welsh band The Keys, as well as a remarkable musical diversion to end the evening from Phil Campbell, the lead guitarist from rock legends Motorhead.

The evening was packed with celebration and appreciation of the lives of the 100 personalities nominated by the Welsh public. Actress Nia Roberts - from the Oscar nominated film ‘Solomon and Gaenor’- reviewed the Groundbreakers, while Nicola looked after Creatives. Another familiar name from Welsh television, Hywel Williams, reflected on the Thinkers.

Philip - famed for his television portrayal of David Lloyd George - was a natural choice to handle the Leaders, supported by a message from Wales's contemporary leader, Rhodri Morgan AM. The First Minister spoke of

the general quality of the Welsh contribution to the past three or four of five centuries that I think is underplayed, and must be given its due value. That's why I welcome the Culturenet proposal to get this material out there onto the ether worldwide, so that people can see Wales in its true depth and in the true glory of its contribution to modern civilisation.

Rosemary Butler AM, chair of the National Assembly Committee for Culture, Welsh Language and Sport, presented the Performers category, with a special tribute paid to footballer John Charles - one of the Heroes featured in Performers - who sadly died just a few days before the event. In perhaps the most touching moment of the evening, former Welsh international striker Ian Walsh summed up the contribution of the man famously known as The Gentle Giant:

Ian Walsh

In life, greatness is a term used far too often. However, with regard to John Charles, I don't think anybody could argue that this sporting hero was a true star of legendary status.

In the time-honoured tradition, the top ten Welsh Heroes were announced in reverse order. The final three - the names, which together had dominated the voting throughout the project - each, had a ‘champion’ to speak in their favour. First to go was Western Mail columnist and broadcaster Carolyn Hitt, with her appreciation of Tom Jones:

Carolyn Hitt

He’s arguably the most famous Welsh person on the planet, wearing his national identity close to his heart, like a shiny medallion on a hairy chest. Tom is living proof it’s possible to combine the best of old Wales and the coolest of Cymru in one package, albeit in a very tight pair of leather trousers. If we Wales truly is the Land Of Song, then ‘Jones the Voice’ is our global ambassador

Former international rugby player and broadcaster Ray Gravell, spoke with true passion about his personal hero Owain Glyndŵr; the dramatic role he played in Welsh history and the inspiration he continues to provide to his devotees:

600 years ago to this very year, he formed and united the whole of Wales… His dream, his spirit lives on.

For a hero who devoted his life to improving the lot of working people, it was appropriate to call upon the services of a leading light of the trade union movement. Jim Hancock of the T&G delivered the tribute to Aneurin Bevan, describing him as:

undoubtedly one of the most important and influential politicians of the 20th century… He changed Britain forever.

Following these sparkling contributions, all that remained was to name the overall winner. That duty fell to the Chair of Culturenet Cymru, Andrew Green, who announced that - by a narrow margin - t he night belonged to Aneurin Bevan.

‘We do not for a moment claim that this will be the last word on the subject’, said Andrew, ‘indeed, it is our purpose to stimulate further argument and debate’.

After a few words of summation from the distinguished historian Dr John Davies, Phil Campbell brought the formal proceedings to an end with his rendition of the national anthem. For everyone who heard it played in the individual style of one of the world's most popular (and loudest) rock guitarists, Hen Wlad fy Nhadau will never sound quite the same again.

The broadcast over, it was time to relax and enjoy the remainder of this unique St David's day celebration. To the sound of more music from The Keys, guests took in some stunning portraits of three Welsh Heroes - Dylan Thomas, JPR Williams and Richard Burton - exhibited in the venue by the respected Welsh artist Richard Wills. Collecting bins were circulated for the benefit of Simon Weston's charity 'The Weston Spirit'.

Following the event, S4C continued its coverage of 100 Welsh Heroes from Cardiff Bay, dedicating an hour of its St David’s Day broadcast to a studio debate on 100 Welsh Heroes, featuring actress Sharon Morgan, radio producer Lowri Davies, MP Denzil Davies and Dr John Davies. Other contributors included DJ Huw Stephens, broadcasters Gwyn Llewelyn, Gary Slaymaker and Roy Noble, Ray Gravell, poet Elinor Wyn Reynolds and former MP and AM Rod Richards.

A number of living heroes were interviewed for the programme, including Gareth Edwards, Neil Kinnock, Julien MacDonald, Ian Rush and Dafydd Iwan, with double world-record holding athlete Colin Jackson concisely summing up the entire project as:

an impressive list of 100 people who have influenced world events in some shape or form. For such a small nation, we have done very well.

(A selection of the work of artist Richard Wills, some of which Richard kindly exhibited at the St David's Day event, can be viewed at: www.thenewmasters.com).