Wales: Moans, Wails and Groans Quiz

Answer: Wales

The Union Flag, often known as the Union Jack, was adopted in 1801 at the creation of the new United Kingdom. It features the crosses of St Patrick (originally for Ireland, later Northern Ireland), St Andrew (Scotland) and St George (England). No element of the Welsh flag is featured.

It wasn't an oversight - Wales was part of the Kingdom of England, so not treated as a separate entity.

Answer: ECB

The England and Wales Cricket Board was created in 1997. It oversees the test team (England) and the county game. It's a bit Anglocentric, and some Welsh cricket people have considered going it alone.

Answer: Winston Churchill

During a bitter and violent dispute between miners and pit owners in 1911, Winston Churchill, the Home Secretary, sent troops into Tonypandy, in the Rhondda, to enforce order. The act was seen in Wales as an over-reaction which contributed to the defeat of the miners.

Answer: New Zealand

With the score at 12-10 to Wales, and time nearly up, it looked like a first win over New Zealand since 1953. However, second rows Haden and Oliver had other ideas. As the ball was thrown at a lineout, they both dived out dramatically. English referee Roger Quittenton gave them a penalty, and Brian McKechnie kicked it to win the match 13-12 for the All Blacks. Quittenton said he hadn't been influenced by the New Zealand synchronised diving display, but had noticed an infringement by a Welshman on Oliver. Speaking 34 years later, Haden was unrepentant: "...I've lived with it and I don't regret it because that's what you do for your team - you do whatever comes into your mind at the time."

Answer: Liverpool

The flooding of the Afon Tryweryn valley was requested by a private bill on behalf of Liverpool City Council. It meant the destruction of one of the last exclusively Welsh language communities and was opposed by 35 of 36 Welsh MPs. It was passed by Parliament, which meant Liverpool didn't have to get any planning permission from Welsh authorities. The brutality of the way it was done caused an upsurge in support for Plaid Cymru, the Party of Wales. In 2005 the City of Liverpool gave a belated apology for its actions.

Answer: Severn

The two Severn Crossings (built in 1966 and 1996) are vital for business links between south Wales and England. A private consortium used to collect the tolls to pay for the cost of construction. This ceased in December 2018 when the bridges became toll-free.

Answer: Forced the trustees of a charitable fund to pay towards the work

The disaster touched people around the world and £1.6M was donated to a fund to support the people of Aberfan. The National Coal Board denied any responsibility although it was subsequently found to have been at fault and liable to pay compensation. The NCB would not remove the tips that it claimed were not dangerous until the Government funded the work by making a grant of £200k and forcing the trustees of the disaster relief fund to pay £150k.

This was probably illegal under charity law, yet it took until 1997 for the UK Government to return the £150k.

In 2005 the Welsh Assembly donated £1.5M to the fund.

Answer: 1955

The 1536 Act of Union between England and Wales meant that Wales had no need of a capital, apparently. After much agitation from the Welsh public, the Minster for Welsh Affairs gave them permission to choose a capital city in 1951. Cardiff won a vote against Caernarfon and Aberystwyth.

Answer: Edward I

Edward I killed Wales's last sovereign prince, Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, in 1282 and declared that he would make his own heir the Prince of Wales. His son, Edward (later to become Edward II), was born in Caernarfon Castle in 1284, and became the first English Prince of Wales. The title became standard for the English heir apparent, although the gesture of being born in Wales was pretty much a one-off.

Answer: Penalty awarded to Scotland

The qualifier for the 1978 Argentina World Cup was one of Wales's best chances of reaching a major tournament since their last appearance in one in 1958. They needed a win against Scotland, in a game that was held at Liverpool's Anfield stadium. At 0-0, the ball came into the Welsh area and Jordan punched the ball on. The referee blew for a penalty to Scotland and Jordan kissed his hand. Asa Hartford scored the penalty and Scotland went on to win the match and qualify for the Argentina tournament. Despite all the evidence, Jordan continued to deny handling the ball.