“To be born in Wales, not with a silver spoon in your mouth, but with music in your blood and with poetry in your soul, is a privilege indeed.” Brian Harris
Welcome to this week's CST 'Saint David's Day' Activities Page, celebrating all things Welsh.
To begin with, ask members what they like or love about Wales and the Welsh. Who was born and bred here? Are there any stories about growing up in Wales?
Has anyone a favourite place in Wales they would recommend others to visit?
What is Wales most famous for? It's mountains, countryside, castles, beaches, it's food or language?
Has anyone got a favourite Welsh celebrity? Why do they like them so much?
How would people try and explain what Wales is like to let's say an American?
DAFFODILS
After Welcome and Introductions, hand each member a daffodil. Use it as a short Mindfulness practice. Ask members to examine the daffodil, it's shape, colour, texture, smell and so on. As they do so, read the following poem by Wordsworth. (Be aware of any risk that a member might taste or ingest their daffodil and observe more closely.)
"I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.
The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed—and gazed—but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils."
– William Wordsworth (1815)
SOME WELSH PHRASES AND THEIR MEANINGS
Ask members to guess at the meanings of these common Welsh phrases and words ...
Croeso I Gymru - WELCOME TO WALES
Cymru am byth - WALES FOR EVER
Bore da - GOOD MORNING
Diolch yn fawr - THANK YOU VERY MUCH
Chwarae teg - FAIR PLAY
Iechyd da - GOOD HEALTH
Eglwys - CHURCH
Traeth - BEACH
Ysgol - SCHOOL
Heddlu - POLICE
Ysbyty - HOSPITAL
Dwr - WATER
Bara - BREAD
Drws - DOOR
Ty bach - TOILET
Ych a fi - DISGUSTING
Cwtch - CUDDLE
Hiraeth - HOMESICKNESS
Cariad - LOVE AFFECTION
A favourite saying on St David's Day is 'Gwnewch y pethau bychain' - "Do the little things." These were apparently St David's last words.
IDIOMS AND PROVERBS
Next, ask members to complete the following Welsh themed phrases ...
Land of - MY FATHERS / SONG
Severn - BRIDGE (Now 'King Charles 111 Bridge)
The green green grass - OF HOME
Black sheep of - THE FAMILY
How green was - MY VALLEY
Under Milk - WOOD
Bread of - HEAVEN
Six - NATIONS
Grand - SLAM
Wooden - SPOON
Brecon - BEACONS
Prince of - WALES
Men of - HARLECH
Welsh - DRESSER
Love - SPOON
Welsh Border - COLLIE
Welsh - CORGI
Spitting - FEATHERS
HARP - on about something
Take a - LEEK
Red - DRAGON
Oggy Oggy Oggy - OI OI OI
And for fun ...
Whose coat is that - JACKET?
I'll be there now in a - MINUTE
How's it going - BUTT?
I'm not being funny - RIGHT
Where you - TO?
I'm not gonna lie - TO YOU
That is absolutely - BUZZING, HUMMING, MINGING
She's under the - DOCTOR
Poor - DAB
Tidy - LIKE
Cheers - DRIVE
This is cowing - LUSH
"Oh, what's - OCCURRING?"
Name these Welsh symbols?
SONG BREAK. 'Green Green Grass Of Home', Tom Jones - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j64H2aWWU0E
WELSH MUSIC & PICTURE QUIZ
Next, complete the music and picture quiz with members, taking time to share stories, sing along with songs and enjoy the photographs.
ROUND 1. Famous Welsh Places
 | Name the capital city of Wales? Here is a clip of the castle being handed to the people by the Marquis Of Bute in 1947 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFZGTLyGTfc&t=31s |
 | Outside the castle you will find the 'Animal Wall'. How many animals can you name? |
 | Name this Italian styled village in North Wales? Which cult TV series was filmed here, with Patrick McGoohan being chased by a giant balloon? (What was his number?) |
 | Name this Welsh mountain railway? The mountains name has recently changed to 'Eryri'.) What was the name of the animated TV show about a Welsh steam train? |
 | |
 | Name these Welsh caves, situated in the Neath valley? Which goes down, stalactites or stalagmites? |
 | Name this Welsh tourist attraction? What was the name of the safety light that miners used to use? |
 | Name this Welsh folk museum? Which Cardiff pub has recently been re-built here? |
 | Name this Cardiff opera house? What do locals call it (named after an animal)? |
 | Name this South Wales seaside resort? What was the name of the holiday camp which was located to the right of this picture? |
 | Which TV comedy series is filmed here? Name the other characters from the show? Here is a great clip of Pamela's best bits - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nzvu-C5s3uc |
SONG BREAK. 'Day Trip To Bangor', Fiddler's Dram -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqbUDUKOr4Y
What is the name of the body of water between Bangor and Anglessey?
What does the sign below translate into in English (a point for each correct word guessed)?
Can anyone say the name correctly, for a bonus point?
ROUND 2. Famous Welsh Faces
 | What is the name of our 'First Minister'? What is the name of the 'Welsh Assembly Government' building? |
 | Who is the 'Prince Of Wales'? Who is he married to? |
 | Name the North Wales castle where Prince Charles' investiture as 'Prince Of Wales' took place? When was it? T or F. The ball at the top of the crown is a ping pong ball? |
 | Does anyone remember getting a blue mug in school? Here it is ... |
 | Name this Welsh actor? Which co-star did he marry and divorce twice? Name the 1963 movie? |
 | Name this Welsh actor and the 1991 movie? |
 | Name this news anchor? Which TV news show does he present? |
 | Name this weatherman? Name his walking TV series? (He named Barry Island 'Barrybados'.) |
 | Name these presenters? Which daily TV show did they present together? |
 | Name this Welsh singer? Which TV chat show host 'discovered' her? What nickname did he give her? |
 | Name this singer and presenter? What was his first hit? |
 | Name this Welsh actress and her American husband? |
Name these Welsh sports champions?
- Name this Welsh Paralympian? How many 'Paralympic Games' did she compete in?
- Name this Welsh football player and the 'Premier League' team he currently plays for?
What is the nickname of Cardiff City football club? (Can anyone make his sign?)
- Name this Welsh Olympian? True or False. He remains the '60m Hurdles World Record Holder' (7.30 seconds / 1994)?
- Name this Welsh cyclist, who won the 'Tour de France' in 2018? What colour shirt does the winner of this race wear?
- Name this Welsh Rugby Union player and until recently captain? What is the home of Welsh rugby?
SONG BREAK - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hn2oPN1cDQg
What is Shirley Bassey's nickname?
Who played James Bond & Pussy Galore in this movie?
ROUND 3. Food & Drink
 | Name this Welsh sausage? What is the main vegetable ingredient? |
 | Name this Welsh savoury snack? What are the two English ingredients ('BBC Good Food Guide') which flavour the cheese (one is a condiment, the other is a sauce)? |
 | What is the name of this Welsh soup? Which meat is traditionally used in it? |
 | Name this Welsh savoury snack? (Some call it 'Welsh caviar'.) What substance is it made from? |
 | Name this Welsh dinner? What sauce would you serve it with? |
 | Name this Welsh meat dish? Which type of meat is it traditionally made from? |
 | Name this crumbly Welsh cheese? Name the fruit? |
 | There is a castle in the town where they make the cheese and outside is a statue to a comic magician. Who it is? What was his catchphrase? |
 | Name this Welsh fruit cake? What do the Welsh words mean? |
 | Name these bakestones? What are they traditionally cooked on? |
 | Regarding 'Brains Beers'.... Complete the names of these Brains' beers? - What does 'S.A.' stand for? - What does 'I.P.A' stand for? |
SONG BREAK. 'Those Were The Days' Mary Hopkin -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3KEhWTnWvE
Which song did she come second in the 'Eurovision Song Contest', losing to Dana with 'All Kinds Of Everything'?
ROUND 4. More Welsh Places
 | Where would you find this tram? Which headland is it climbing? |
 | Name this South Wales pier? Which two restored steam ships sail from it each year (one is pictured here)? |
 | Name this West Wales seaside resort? Which island monastery is located just off shore? |
 | Name this South Wales seaside resort? Which convention is held here in the autumn, attracting thousands of 'lookalikes' and tribute acts? |
 | On which Welsh canal would you cross the 'Pontcysyllte Aqueduct'? Take a close look. Could you drive the boat across this waterway, which only has railings on one side? |
 | What is this building in Cardiff Bay called? Which children's author was baptised here? |
 | Until recently, there was a 'Dr Who?' exhibit near by. Name this Doctor and the two arch enemies? |
 | What is the name of this park? Who is this lighthouse dedicated to? Which ship is on top of it? |
 | Name this fairytale castle? Where would you find it? |
 | What is this natural phenomenon called? What causes it? |
 | Name this bay near Swansea? Name the national park? |
 | Name this West Wales seaside town? Which famous Welsh author wrote his best works here? |
VIDEO BREAK. Read by Michael Sheen - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-sM-t1KI_Y
Which other country in the world has had a Welsh speaking community since 1865?
Name the 7 cities of Wales, this being the smallest city in the British Isles?
Some Of The Best Ever Welsh Songs
'We'll Keep A Welcome', Bryn Terfel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppPIyYRxswk
'Calon Lan', Only Boys Aloud - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhk-loVYNnQ
'Cwm Rhondda', Only Men Aloud - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdjIjPhJ8co
'Hymns And Arias', Max Boyce - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifcvIWmnsU0
'Bread Of Heaven', sung by Michael Ball - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rshc59H-iKM
FINAL SONG - 'Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau' (Welsh National Anthem) - Sung by Katherine Jenkins, Aled Jones & Bryn Terfel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z89sRIomtRs
You could print this off, so members can sing along ...
PRACTICAL ACTIVITY
Have a go at making paper daffodils ... Here is an instructive video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8HX-O-vUuU
Or you could make Welsh Cakes ...
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/welsh-cakes
Ingredients
225g plain flour
85g caster sugar
½ tsp mixed spice
½ tsp baking powder
50g butter, cut into small pieces
50g lard, cut into small pieces, plus extra for frying
50g currant
1 egg, beaten
splash milk
Method
STEP 1 - Tip the flour, sugar, mixed spice, baking powder and a pinch of salt into a bowl. Then, with your fingers, rub in the butter and lard until crumbly. Mix in the currants. Work the egg into the mixture until you have soft dough, adding a splash of milk if it seems a little dry – it should be the same consistency as shortcrust pastry.
STEP 2 - Roll out the dough on a lightly floured work surface to the thickness of your little finger. Cut out rounds using a 6cm cutter, re-rolling any trimmings. Grease a flat griddle pan or heavy frying pan with lard, and place over a medium heat. Cook the Welsh cakes in batches, for about 3 mins each side, until golden brown, crisp and cooked through. Delicious served warm with butter and jam, or simply sprinkled with caster sugar. Cakes will stay fresh in a tin for 1 week.
ANSWERS
Leeks, Daffodils, Prince Of Wales Feathers
Cardiff
The early animals consisted of the lions holding the Crichton-Stuart and Stuart of Bute shields of arms, together with a lioness, hyena, sea-lion, ape with her young, wolf and polar bear. They can be distinguished by their distinctive glass eyes and were carved by Thomas Nicholls between 1887 and 1889. The polar bear was replaced by a bear when the other seven animals were sculpted by Alexander Carrick between 1928 and 1930. The rest were lynx, vulture, beaver, leopard, racoon, ant-eater and pelican.
Port Meirion / 'Prisoner' / Six
'Snowdon Mountain Railway'
'Ivor The Engine' / "Jones The Steam"
'Dan Yr Ogof Show Caves' / Stalactites hang down from the ceiling of the cave
'Big Pit National Coal Museum' / 'Davy Lamp'
'Saint Fagans National Museum Of History' / 'The Vulcan'
'Wales Millennium Centre' / 'The Armadillo'
Barry Island (Whitmore Bay) / 'Butlins'
'Gavin And Stacey' / Nessa & Smithy
Menai Straits / "St Mary's Church in the Hollow of the White Hazel near a Rapid Whirlpool and the Church of St. Tysilio near the Red Cave"
Mark Drakeford / 'The Senydd'
Prince Williams & Kate nee Middleton
Caernarvon Castle / 1st July 1969 / True
Richard Burton / Elizabeth Taylor / 'Cleopatra'
Anthony Hopkins / 'Silence Of The Lambs'
Huw Edwards / 'BBC News'
Derek Brockway / 'Weatherman Walking'
Matt Baker & Alex Jones / 'The One Show'
Charlotte Church / Jonathon Ross / 'Voice Of An Angel'
Aled Jones / 'Walking In The Air'
Catherine Zeta-Jones & Michael Douglas
Tanni Grey-Thompson / Five (Winning 11 gold, 4 silver and 1 bronze medal for wheelchair racing)
Gareth Bale / / 'Tottenham Hotspur' / 'The Bluebirds'
Colin Jackson / True
Geraint Thomas / Yellow
Alun Wyn Jones / 'Principality Stadium' (formerly 'Cardiff Arms Park' then 'Wales Millennium Centre')
'Tiger Bay' (Named by sailors because of the wild currents) / Sean Connery & Honor Blackman
Glamorgan Sausages / Leeks
Welsh Rarebit / English Mustard & Worcestershire Sauce (both English ingredients!!!)
Cawl / Lamb
Laverbread / Seaweed (Littoral Alga)
Roast Lamb / Mint Sauce
Faggots / Pork (Pig's heart, liver, fatty belly meat or bacon)
Caerphilly Cheese / Fig
Tommy Cooper / "Just like that!"
Bara Brith / 'Speckled Bread'
Welsh Cakes / Griddle
'Special Ale' (SA were also the initials of Samuel Arthur Brain) & 'Indian Pale Ale' (Some say 'S.A.' stands for 'Skull Attack'.)
'Knock Knock, Who's There?'
Llandudno / Great Orme
Penarth Pier / 'Waverley' & 'Balmoral'
Tenby / Caldy Island
Porthcawl / 'Elvis Convention'
Llangollen Canal
'Norwegian Church' / Roald Dahl
David Tennant / Cyberman & Dlaek
Roath Park / Scott Of The Antarctic / 'Terra Nova'
'Castel Coch' / Tongwynlais
The Severn Bore / The incoming tide funnelling up a narrowing river. More spectacular waves are seen when there is a Spring tide
Three Cliffs Bay / The Gower
Laugherne / Dylan Thomas
Patagonia
'A Pure Heart'
"I don't ask for a luxurious life
the world's gold or its fine pearls,
I ask for a happy heart,
an honest heart, a pure heart."
- Cardiff
- Newport
- Swansea
- Bangor
- St Asaph
- St David's
- Wrexham
England - Rose
France - Cockerel
Ireland - Shamrock
Italy - Federazione Italiana Rugby flag
Scotland - Thistle
Wales - Prince Of Wales Feathers
