The foundation of the National Health Service (NHS) has been voted the most significant UK cultural moment from the last 90 years by both Welsh respondents and the UK as a whole, in a nationwide survey. Testament to the lasting cultural impact of the institution and the role of Welsh politician Aneurin Bevan in its creation.
The survey, conducted by OnePoll to mark the 90th anniversary of the British Council, the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations, asked 2,500 adults between 18 and 65 across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to vote for the top UK cultural icons and moments from the past nine decades.
Key findings from Welsh respondents in the British Council's 90 Years of Culture survey:
- The foundation of the NHS voted most significant UK cultural moment from the last 90 years, followed by Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, and Live Aid Wembley.
- Sir David Attenborough chosen as the greatest British icon from the last 90 years, followed by Queen Elizabeth II.
- Sir David Attenborough also named as the greatest living British cultural icon, followed by Catherine, Princess of Wales, Elton John, Paul McCartney and Dame Judi Dench.
- James Bond voted the UK’s greatest fictional icon, followed by Harry Potter, and Del Boy.
- Welsh respondents voted Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon as best album with The Lord of the Rings chosen as best fiction novel written by a UK author and Love Actually voted best UK film.
Some 46 per cent of Welsh respondents voted for Sir David Attenborough as the greatest cultural icon from the last 90 years, followed by Queen Elizabeth II (44 per cent), Diana Princess of Wales (43 per cent) and Winston Churchill (30 per cent).
Sir Attenborough was also voted the greatest living icon (55 per cent) followed by Catherine, Princess of Wales (20 per cent), Elton John (19 per cent), Paul McCartney and Dame Judi Dench (both 17 per cent).
Welsh respondents named James Bond as the UK’s greatest fictional icon from the last 90 years with some 42 per cent voting for 007, followed by Harry Potter (37 per cent), Only Fools and Horses’ Del Boy (30 per cent), Doctor Who (29 per cent) and Paddington Bear (28 per cent).
Nelson Mandela was voted the world’s most important non-UK cultural icon from the last 90 years (31 per cent), followed by Elvis Presley and Walt Disney (26 per cent) and Albert Einstein (22 per cent).
Looking at the best albums from the last 90 years, more than a fifth of Welsh people (23 per cent) believed that Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon was the best British album, followed by the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (21 per cent), Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black (20 per cent) and Abbey Road (19 per cent). Wales and Northern Ireland (20 per cent) were the nations most likely to have selected Back to Black.
The Lord of the Rings was voted the best fiction novel written by a UK author in the last 90 years (36 per cent), followed by Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (31 per cent), Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (19 per cent) and George Orwell’s 1984 (27 per cent).
Welsh respondents voted Love Actually the best British film from the last 90 years (22 per cent). Welsh people were more likely to vote for Love Actually than any other part of the UK. This was followed by Trainspotting, Monty Python’s Life of Brian, and Four Weddings and a Funeral (all 18 per cent).
The most significant UK cultural moment from the last 90 years was the foundation of the NHS (47 per cent), followed by Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral (28 per cent) and Live Aid Wembley (28 per cent).
The end of World War II was voted the most significant global cultural moment from the last 90 years (37 per cent). This was followed by the demolition of the Berlin wall (29 per cent), the first man on the moon (28 per cent) and the Invention of the World Wide Web, and Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech (both 24).
Ruth Cocks, Director Wales, British Council commented on the Welsh highlights: "The poll results offer fascinating insights into how people in Wales view UK cultural icons and moments. The NHS being voted as the greatest cultural moment of the last 90 years, both in Wales and across the UK, particularly stands out to us. It reflects the profound impact of this institution on UK society and highlights its origins with Welsh politician Aneurin Bevan."
She added, "Throughout our 90 years globally – and 80 years in Wales - we have brought the work of hundreds of writers, musicians, artists and performers to the attention of audiences around the world. From taking acting greats Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh on an Australian tour in 1948 to British artist John Akomfrah showcasing his work at this year's Venice Biennale. And we are proud to bring Akomfrah's Venice showcase to the Amgueddfa Cymru/National Museum of Wales next year. The international connections and trust we build through arts and culture transform lives, create positive change, and are key to supporting our vision of a more peaceful and prosperous world."
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