Famous People from the Midlands Quiz

Answer: The Whitsun Weddings

Philip Larkin (1922-1985) was born in Coventry. In 2003 he was chosen as the nation's best loved poet of the past 50 years beating Ted Hughes & Sylvia Plath into joint second place. In "Whitsun Weddings" Larkin describes a train journey in Yorkshire where at each stop the train is joined by parties of newly weds.

Answer: Eggs

Alfred Bird (1811-1878) was registered as a pharmacist in Birmingham. His wife couldn't eat home made custard due to an allergy to eggs. In 1837 Bird invented an egg-free custard supplied in powder form - Bird's Custard.

Answer: Dawn French

Lenworth George Henry was born on August 29, 1958 in Dudley. Under the stage name Lenny Henry he is a star of British comedy. His earliest appearances were in "New Faces", a TV talent show in the 1970s. Later he appeared in "Tiswas" and "Three of a Kind". Jennifer Saunders is the co-star of "French and Saunders", a comedy series with Dawn French.

Answer: The Goodies

Bill Oddie was a member of the popular 1970s comedy trio "The Goodies". He has since established himself as an ornithologist and wildlife television presenter, notably the "Spring Watch" and "Autumn Watch" TV programmes with Kate Humble and Simon King.

Answer: James Watt

Matthew Boulton was born in 1728. His partnership with James Watt led to the commercial success of the steam engine. Within 15 years there were 500+ Boulton & Watt steam engines being used in mining and other industries.

Answer: Ladywood

Clare Short born February 15th 1946 is a British Labour politician. She initially gained attention through her campaign against the display of 'Page 3' girls in the "Sun" and other British tabloids. In May 2003 she gained attention through her resignation from the Cabinet in protest of the Iraq war, and since 2006 has been an Independent Labour MP.

Answer: Black Sabbath

Black Sabbath are a heavy metal band formed in 1968. The original line up was Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward. Up to the present day the band have had multiple line ups with a total of 22 former members returning recently to the original line up.

Answer: 7

In addtion to his solo career Steve Winwood has been a member of the Spencer Davis Group (4 top 10 hits), Traffic (3 top 10 hits), Blind Faith & Go.

Answer: Bournville

George Cadbury was born in Edgebaston in 1839. He was the third son of quaker John Cadbury. In 1861 he took over the family business 'Cadburys Cocoa & Chocolate Company' with his brother Richard Cadbury. Believing that the welfare of their employees was very important they decided to build a factory town. This became known as Bournville.

Answer: Conservative Party

Neville Chamberlain was born in 1869. He was prime minister of the UK from 1937 to 1940. His reign as prime minister was marked by the signing of the Munich agreement in 1938. This ceded part of Czechoslovakia (the Sudetenland) to Adolf Hitler.