Uniquely Welsh Without Question! Quiz

Answer: A breed of cattle

One of the oldest cattle breeds in the United Kingdom. Welsh Blacks have had a revival since the 1960's and are now found in the USA, Canada, new Zealand and Germany. They are prized for the quality of their beef.

Answer: A breed of sturdy small horse

In this context I am describing a breed of pony and cob which are well known for their versatility, strength and hardiness. They have a gentle disposition. At the Royal Welsh Show held annually in Mid Wales they are amongst the most popular breed shown.

Answer: Welsh Corgi

There are two types of corgi. The Pembrokeshire and the Cardiganshire. They are much beloved by HRH Queen Elizabeth II but not by me. They were bred to be cattle herders and have the inborn ability to dodge cattle hooves and nip at the ankles of slow animals. Ouch, that hurt! I said they're not for me.

They have been described as having a fox like head. Incidentally the 'Cor' part of the name comes from the Welsh word for dwarf and the 'ci' from the Welsh word for dog.

Answer: Three rows of strings

The Welsh or triple harp was adopted by the Welsh harpers living in London during the 17th century after being imported from Italy. It has been a major influence in Welsh cultural life ever since.

Answer: Red colouring

In terms of physique the border collie and the Welsh sheepdog have some similarity. The Welsh sheepdog has a beautiful red colouring. Like the collie it is very hard working, has great stamina and intelligence.

They are a success story as a breed having come near to extinction to now being exported around the world.

One of the joys of my life has been to see my cousin on his hill farm overlooking the sea in west Pembrokeshire working his sheepdogs. I am ashamed to say they understand much more Welsh than do I.

Answer: Welsh Rarebit

Up until the 18th century before the great immigration of workers to the coal fields and iron and steel works, Welsh Rarebit was just that. The changing stresses of language saw it become Welsh Rabbit though nowadays it is often seen on restaurant menus as the original Welsh Rarebit. Then it was a poor man's dish of grated cheese over a hunk of bread and herbs grilled. It is delicious apparently - if you like cheese!

Welsh cakes are traditional simple Welsh fare but great for eating. Look up the recipe why don't you?

Bara Brith means speckled bread and there are many traditional variations of this cake-bread.

Answer: An anglers' name for a caddis fly

The caddis fly is a rather moth-like insect spending much of their life as larvae inhabiting cases they construct from small mineral grains or plant material. They are widely used by anglers.

Answer: Welsh Cakes

In Wales they are traditionally cooked on a heated bakestone (an iron griddle usually about half an inch in thickness). The cast iron griddle is placed on the fire or cooker, greased, and heated to a high heat before the mix is used.

Welsh cakes are made from flour, butter or lard, eggs, sugar, and currants or raisins. The ones my mother used to make and which I now occasionally try to make were circular in shape and a a couple of inches in diameter having a depth of an half an inch or so.

The Welsh cake can be served hot or cold. Sometimes they are dusted with caster sugar.

They are often eaten with tea.

Answer: Caerphilly

Caerphilly Castle was one of the great medieval castles of western Europe being of similar construction and design to Chartres. Work commenced in 1268 and was mostly completed by 1271. Other works were added at latter stages.

Caerphilly is very large covering about 1.2 hectares. Only the castle at Windsor is larger.

The design of the castle includes a large-scale use of water defences. Modelled on Chartres made it the first truly concentric castle in Britain at the time of its construction by the Earl of Gloucester.

If you are visiting Wales then any of the castles are remarkable and most have stunning views from their high remaining walls and towers.

Answer: Ray Milland

Ray Milland won for "The Lost Weekend (1945)and other winners include: Edmund Gwenn for "Miracle on 34th Street" (1947, Hugh Griffith for "Ben Hur" (1959), Anthony Hopkins in "Silence of the Lambs" (1991) and Catherine Zeta Jones for her role in "Chicago" (2003).


More to come I hope!