A Journey Around Bedfordshire Trivia Quiz

Answer: Cardington Hangars

Cardington Hangars were once the home station for the R101 airship as well as the Goodyear blimp in more recent years. They have also been used as film sets and have appeared in "Batman Begins", "The Dark Knight", "Inception" and "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang".

Answer: Bedford

Bedford is the county town of Bedfordshire. The River Great Ouse is navigable through the town and every two years hosts a River Festival which is the second largest free event in the UK (after Notting Hill Carnival). The Embankment built next to the river navigation has several bridge crossings including the Butterfly Bridge as well as pubs and hotels such as the Swan Hotel.

Answer: The London Brick Company

The London Brick Company was one of the largest employers in Bedfordshire making use of the abundant clay in the area. It was also responsible for bringing in a large Italian population to the area. The legacy of this is that Bedford has to this day a demographic where almost 30% of people are of Italian descent. Between the year of 1954 and 2008 Bedford had its own Italian vice consulate.

Answer: The Pilgrim's Progress

John Bunyan was born at Elstow near Bedford in 1628. He took on a non-conformist faith and was imprisoned several times for the crimes of "pertinaciously abstaining" from attending mandatory Anglican church services and preaching at "unlawful meetings". His constant refusal to give guarantees that he would desist from such actions meant that he served twelve years from 1660 - 1672. During this time he wrote the allegorical work "The Pilgrim's Progress" which my partner describes as his way of torturing Bedford school children who had to read it (she even went to John Bunyan school).
The A6 murderer James Hanratty was one of the last persons to be executed in the UK at the jail on 4th April 1962.

Answer: Dunstable Downs

Dunstable Downs reach a maximum height of 243 metres above sea level. They are a chalk escarpment that is part of the Chiltern Hills and a favourite with kite fliers and hang gliders. Whipsnade Zoo is near the base of the hill and has cut a large lion into the chalk. They were also responsible for escapee wallabies that have populated the downs.

Answer: Straw Boaters

Hatmaking is a traditional industry in Luton, so much so that its football team is nicknamed "The Hatters".

Answer: Black Cat

The Black Cat roundabout is a famous landmark on the A1 just outside Bedford. Mentioned frequently on traffic reports (not usually in a good way) it was originally named after a garage that was on the site back in the 1920s. The garage was later replaced by a night club also called the Black Cat.

A large metal black cat was installed to decorate the roundabout in 2004. It was stolen in 2007 but returned in 2009 with a note saying that it had been found in a ditch.

Answer: An Iron Age Hill Fort

Sharpenhoe Clappers is an iron age hill fort near the Bedfordshire village of Sharpenhoe. It is owned and managed by the National Trust and its chalk grasslands are a haven for butterflies and flowers.

Answer: Glenn Miller

Glenn Miller took his final flight from the Bedfordshire RAF base of Twinwood Farm and was never seen again. His final concert had been at the Corn Exchange in Bedford and he was on his way to entertain troops in France. One theory is that his single engine plane may have been hit by a squadron of Lancaster bombers who were dropping excess bombs over the English Channel on their way back from a raid. Glenn Miller's official status is missing in action.

Answer: A form of pasty containing meat and jam

A Bedfordshire Clanger could be described as main meal and dessert in one. It is a long suet dumpling with a meat filling at one end and a jam filling at the other. I'm not really sure what happens in the middle and how the two fillings are kept separate - who knows maybe they just let it mix a bit? Oh no, I have confirmation from my better half that the middle is pinched to stop the two halves mixing. She says the real problems come when you pour the custard and gravy on it.

For the record the local brewery is Charles Wells' who make the excellent Bombardier beer (does that qualify me for a free pint or two?). On the subject of beer, Samuel Whitbread came from Cardington.