Portal:Wales/DYK

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Portal:Wales/DYK/1

... that Welsh artist Alfred Janes was part of The Kardomah Gang, which included poet Dylan Thomas?
... that British Army officer Captain Stephen Healey of the Royal Welsh regiment, used to play football for Swansea City?
... that St Gallgo's Church, Llanallgo, was used as a temporary mortuary following the 1859
... that St Dona's Church, Llanddona, was rebuilt in 1873 with the rector at the time acting as the architect?

Portal:Wales/DYK/2

... that Welsh boxer Barry Jones lost his WBO Super featherweight title through events caused by an anomaly in a brain scan?
... that Arthur Cheetham's film of children playing on the beach at Rhyl is recognised as the first film of the Cinema of Wales?
... that the churchyard of St Caian's Church, Tregaian, contains the grave of a man who died in 1581 aged 105 with over 40 children and 300 living descendants?
... that after a fox took shelter in the ruins of Capel Lligwy, in Anglesey, a vault was discovered containing "a large mass of human bones, several feet in depth"?

Portal:Wales/DYK/3

... that from a standing start, Wales rugby union international Roy John could jump up and reach the crossbar set at 3.2 metres (10 ft 6 in) above the ground?
... that unlike most other churches in Anglesey, St Ffinan's Church was built in Romanesque revival style?
... that the 15th-century church of St Twrog, Bodwrog has some bull's head decorations, showing its link with a prominent local family of that time?
... that legend says that Welsh noblewoman Gwladys ferch Dafydd Gam was so beloved that when she died 3000 knights, nobles and weeping peasants followed her body to its burial place?

Portal:Wales/DYK/4

... that crime writer Dick Francis was a notable figure in Welsh horse racing, becoming British Champion Jockey in 1954?
... that St Caffo's Church, Llangaffo commemorates St Caffo who was martyred in the area in the 6th century?
... that in the Welsh folk tale of Y Ladi Wen, the "white lady" ghost purportedly guarded the treasure of Ogmore Castle?
... that the first church built on the site of St Deiniol's Church, Llanddaniel Fab, is said to have been established by St Deiniol Fab himself in 616?

Portal:Wales/DYK/5

... that a standing stone near St Tyfrydog's Church, Llandyfrydog is said to be a man turned to stone by St Tyfrydog for stealing a Bible from the church?
... that, in the early twentieth century, Buttrills was the centre of education in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan?
... that St Mary's Church, Pentraeth was decorated in the 18th century with paper garlands, perhaps to celebrate parishioners' weddings?
... that there are no prisons for women in Wales?

Portal:Wales/DYK/6

... that Welsh novelist Ron Berry once wrote a book about his observations of Peregrine Falcons?
... that a Welshman, Dai Davies, is the only person to have appeared in both the rugby league Challenge Cup final and the association football FA Cup Final?
... that as a condition of paying for restoration work, a 19th-century benefactor of St Mary's Church in Bodewryd required the church to have Islamic-style stained glass?
... that St Mary's Church, Rhodogeidio was built as a chapel of ease for St Ceidio's Church, but both are now disused and St Mary's is in ruins?

Portal:Wales/DYK/7

... that part of an inscribed medieval gravestone is set into a window sill at St Fflewin's Church, Llanfflewin?
... that Dylan Thomas' short prose A Child's Christmas in Wales was first published under its own title two years after his death?
... that the redundant church of St Ellyw, Llanelieu in Powys, is a venue for the annual Talgarth Festival?
... that despite having only one arm, Arthur Lea played international football for Wales?

Portal:Wales/DYK/8

... that Cefn Golau, a disused cholera cemetery near Tredegar, has many graves dating from August and September 1849?
... that St Mary's Church, Derwen, Denbighshire, is listed Grade I because it possesses an exceptionally complete rood screen and loft and otherwise retains much of its medieval character?
... that St Mark's Church, Brithdir has been described as one of the few full blooded Arts and Crafts churches in Wales?
... that after winning the Welsh heavyweight boxing title on Boxing Day, Tom Norris held onto the title for just 100 days before being beaten by Dick Power?

Portal:Wales/DYK/9

... that St David's Church, Llangeview, Monmouthshire, is listed Grade I because of its exceptional interior including a 15th-century rood-loft and rare pre-Victorian box pews?
... that Welsh bantamweight champion Tosh Powell died from a brain hemorrhage after a boxing match in Liverpool, at the age of 20?
... that St Baglan's Church, a medieval church in Llanfaglan, Gwynedd, is listed Grade I because it is unrestored, and has an exceptionally complete set of 18th-century furnishings?
... that the idea that Lancaut, on the border between England and Wales, may be the site of a medieval leper colony is supported by the unusual number of medicinal herbs found in the churchyard?

Portal:Wales/DYK/10

... that the 19th-century restoration of Hodgeston Parish Church in Pembrokeshire was intended to be a model for future church restorations?
... that the English artist Henry Clarence Whaite was one of the central figures in the formation of the Royal Cambrian Academy of Art, Wales' first art academy?
... that St Michael and All Angels Church, Llanfihangel Rogiet, in Monmouthshire, is approached through a working farm?
... that Welsh half-back Jack Newnes was the only footballer ever to be capped at international level while playing for Nelson?

Portal:Wales/DYK/11

... that the Welsh library educator Peter Havard-Williams served as Chief Librarian to the Council of Europe?
... that tree-ring dating shows that the wood for the rood screen in St Brothen's Church, Llanfrothen, Gwynedd, came from trees felled between 1496 and 1506?
... that troops of both the 28th Infantry Division and 75th Infantry Division were stationed at Seabank Hotel in Porthcawl during World War II?
... that St Cynhaearn's Church, Ynyscynhaearn in Gwynedd is located in an isolated position on a former island in a lake, and is approached by an ancient causeway?

Portal:Wales/DYK/12

... that the Welsh League, consisting of Aberdare, Barry, Ebbw Vale, Merthyr Tydfil, Mid-Rhondda and Treherbert, was the first professional rugby league competition in Wales?
... that the Anglican church in Amlwch, named after St Eleth, was built in 1800 with money derived from copper mining at nearby Parys Mountain?
... that the church of Our Lady Star of the Sea and St Winefride in Amlwch, is shaped like an upturned boat to reflect the town's maritime heritage?
... that Cardiff School of Art & Design, established in 1865, is the oldest constituent part of University of Wales Institute, Cardiff?

Portal:Wales/DYK/13

... that the church of St Iestyn, Llaniestyn, contains a 12th-century font and a 14th-century memorial effigy to St Iestyn?
... that the first public library in Cardiff, which opened in 1861, is the first public library in Wales?
... that Tommy Bowe of Ireland and the Ospreys won the Irish Rugby Union Players Association and the Welsh Rugby Players Association Players' Player of the Year awards for 2010?
... that while the 19th-century writer Samuel Lewis described the church of St Mary, Tal-y-llyn as "a small edifice of no interest", it is now one of the most highly rated listed buildings in the country?

Portal:Wales/DYK/14

... that the church of St Peulan, Llanbeulan, is said to have been founded by St Peulan, the son of St Paulinus?
... that the 16th-century chancel window of the church of St Cristiolus, Llangristiolus, has been described as "almost too big to fit" in the east wall?
... that a hoax electric guitar inspired version of the Welsh national anthem was credited to both Jimi Hendrix and Tich Gwilym, when it was 'unearthed' in 2006?
... that in 1896, a flooding disaster occurred at River Level Colliery in the village of Abernant, killing six colliers?

Portal:Wales/DYK/15

... that the church dedicated to St Cwyllog in Llangwyllog, Anglesey, has a rare surviving Georgian triple-decker pulpit?
... that The Brahmin and the Mongoose, an Indian folktale about the rash killing of a loyal animal, travelled the world and inspired shrines to the dogs Saint Guinefort in France and Gelert in Wales?
... that Eleazar Roberts pioneered the tonic sol-fa method of sight-singing in Wales?
... that although the church of St Pabo, Llanbabo has a 14th-century monument to Pabo Post Prydain, its supposed 5th-century founder, there is no strong evidence that he founded the church?

Portal:Wales/DYK/16

... that Penally Abbey in Pembrokeshire is believed to have been founded by Saint Teilo in the 6th century?
... that the winner of the 1912 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Kenmare Sorceress, was purchased from a bricklayer in Wales?
... that Llanwenarth House was a recipient of The Good Hotel Guide César Award for Best Welsh Country House of the Year 2002?
... that painter Sydney Curnow Vosper's most famous work, Salem, gained widespread popularity in Britain when it was used to promote Lever Brothers' Sunlight soap?

Portal:Wales/DYK/17

... that the Cambriae Typus map shows a sea monster in the Irish Sea?
... that Welsh footballer Dickie Morris became the first Plymouth Argyle player to be capped at senior international level in April 1908?
... that the church of Llangadfan, near Dyfnant Forest, was visited by Saint Cadfan who founded a church there before moving to Bardsey Island in 516?
... that The King retired after a girl curtsied to him?

Portal:Wales/DYK/18

... that the only casualties during Operation Slapstick were from the 6th (Royal Welch) Parachute Battalion?
... that Clemenstone, a hamlet in south Wales near Wick, was the seat of several high sheriffs of Glamorganshire?
... that the Living Willow Theatre, an open air theatre constructed of living willow trees, is located near the village of Llanwrthwl and occasionally holds outdoor performances of Shakespeare?
... that Lord Irvine dismissed a record of fifteen magistrates of England and Wales in a single year in 1999?

Portal:Wales/DYK/19

... that St Eugrad's Church, Llaneugrad contains an Art Nouveau memorial to one of the officers who died in the wreck of the Royal Charter in 1859?
... that St Beuno's Church, Aberffraw is a rare example of a church in Anglesey with two naves?
... that a 19th-century rector of St Mary's Church in Llanfair-yng-Nghornwy was awarded a gold medal for his attempt to save a boat during a gale?
... that Maurice Wilks, who invented the Land Rover, is buried at St Mary's Church, Llanfair-yn-y-Cwmwd?

Portal:Wales/DYK/20

... that Wales international footballer Alexander Jones was killed in a shooting accident on board a train?
... that St Edwen's Church, Llanedwen, is one of the few churches in Wales to be lit only by candles?
... that although St Cynfarwy was active in Anglesey, in the 7th century, the age of the church dedicated to him cannot be ascertained due to extensive rebuilding?
... that one 19th-century writer condemned the partial demolition of the old church dedicated to St Nidan in Anglesey, saying that its replacement (pictured) was "a painfully impressive example of architectural bad taste"?

Portal:Wales/DYK/21

... that when the 150-year-old Monmouthshire Beacon newspaper moved into Cornwall House, the new office was opened by Princess Margaret?
... that three Chartists held at Monmouth County Gaol were sentenced at the Shire Hall to be hanged, drawn and quartered in 1840?
... that the Monmouthshire Show was started after John Etherington Welch Rolls and the Duke of Beaufort agreed to find £30 in 1857?
... that one species of the extinct bivalve Similodonta was found in 108.90 metres (357.3 ft) down a borehole near Llanwrtyd Wells?

Portal:Wales/DYK/22

... that not only did the village of Wattstown suffer two mining disasters at the same colliery, but both were explosions caused by the unauthorised use of blasting materials?
... that when Teddy Morgan led Wales in their national anthem before the 1905 rugby union match, it was the first time a national anthem had been sung before a sporting event?
... that European welterweight champion Johnny Basham faced a manslaughter charge after killing an opponent in a boxing match?
... that Max Boyce's 1975 recording We All Had Doctors' Papers is the only comedy album to reach number one in the UK Album Charts?

Portal:Wales/DYK/23

... that near Tresilian Bay in Wales, there is a cave where couples throw stones to find out how long they should wait before they get married?
... that the Welsh village name Ynysddu means "black island", although the village is not located on an island?
... that Welsh comedienne Gladys Morgan was renowned for her toothless, ear-splitting, infectious laugh?
... that jazz pianist Geoff Eales played the French horn with the National Youth Orchestra of Wales and piano with the BBC Big Band?|

Portal:Wales/DYK/24

... that according to Shakespeare, Henry V, who was born in Monmouth, approved of Welshmen wearing leeks in their Monmouth caps?
... that although St Peter's Church in Monmouthshire is a Welsh church, in 1920 its congregation decided to join the Church of England?
... that a former chapel at Monmouth Cemetery is now used as a genealogy centre?
... that Charles Rolls and early members of the Royal Aero Club used to go ballooning from Vauxhall Fields in Monmouth?

Portal:Wales/DYK/25

... that Saint Patrick was a priest at the monastery of St. Illtyd of Llantwit Major when he was reputedly abducted by Irish pirates, later becoming the patron saint of Ireland?
... that, in exchange for securing Welsh interests within the See of St David's, Bishop David fitzGerald renounced efforts for its elevation into an archbishopric?
... that a fire destroyed the house at Hilston Park, Monmouthshire in 1838 and a Palladian mansion was built to replace it?
... that Monmouth Town Council was created because of a monopoly on trade?

Portal:Wales/DYK/26

... that Welsh boxer Fred Dyer would entertain spectators by singing and playing the ukulele after a boxing match?
... that the origins of the team sport bando are closely connected to hockey, shinty and bandy?
... that German-born Jewish Egyptologist Käte Bosse-Griffiths published a novel in the Welsh language?
... that Welsh sportsman Billy Bancroft not only played rugby for Swansea and cricket for Glamorgan at St Helens Ground but also lived there as a child and became its groundsman when he retired?

Portal:Wales/DYK/27

... that according to legend, water from a holy well in Penrhys, Wales, can be used to cure rheumatism and poor eyesight?
... that Wales Triple Crown winner Norman Biggs was killed after being struck by a poison arrow while on military duty in Northern Nigeria?
... that Henry Bracy was one of the most popular comic tenors of the Victorian era?
... that Tara Bethan, finalist in the BBC One TV show I'd Do Anything, was the daughter of "El Bandito"

Portal:Wales/DYK/28

... that Richard Summers, Edward Peake, Godfrey Darbishire and Richard Williams were all single cap Wales rugby union players after the team was humiliated by England in its first international match?
... that when Scottish poet Hugh MacDiarmid was found plagiarising the work of Welsh author Glyn Jones, he claimed he had a photographic memory and had copied his work unconsciously?
... that the Banc Ty'nddôl sun-disc, a gold ornament discovered at Cwmystwyth, is over 4,000 years old, making it the earliest gold artifact discovered in Wales?
... that 'The Ghost with the Hammer in his Hand', with more than ninety knock-outs, was one of the greatest Welsh boxers?

Portal:Wales/DYK/29

... that David Davies was transported to Australia for his part in the Rebecca Riots, an uprising that saw the mob leaders cross-dressing as women?
... that Valle Crucis Abbey, built by Madog ap Gruffydd Maelor in 1201, is home to the only remaining monastic fishpond in Wales?
... that Brigadier Glyn Hughes, the officer who liberated Belsen concentration camp, once labelled rugby player John Taylor a Communist for opposing apartheid?
... that the Sunday Closing Act of 1881, which restricted the opening of public houses in Wales, was the first legislation for over three centuries to recognise that country as distinct from England?

Portal:Wales/DYK/30

... that King Arthur's Cave, near Ganarew, to the northeast of Monmouth, is reputedly older than any other Arthurian site?
... that during the Popish Plot, on Sunday 17 November 1678, John Arnold of Monmouthshire captured Father David Lewis at St Michael's Church, Llantarnam and he was later executed?
... that there were so many pubs in Monmouth's market place that they said "A gin court here, a gin court there, No wonder they call it Agincourt Square"?
... that Lady Llangattock, the mother of Charles Rolls, commemorated the centenary of Nelson's death at The Kymin?

Portal:Wales/DYK/31

... that occupants of Wenvoe Castle in south Wales have included a member of Cromwell's Upper House and a vice chamberlain to the Prince of Wales (later King George IV)?
... that the discovery of microliths at St James Square during gas main excavation in 2010 revealed that Monmouth was inhabited during the Mesolithic period?
... that new Monmouth Alms Houses are to be provided by the charity established nearly four hundred years ago to build the original dwellings?
... that the Church of the Holy Cross at Kilgwrrwg, Monmouthshire, is one of the most remote parish churches in the UK still in regular use?

Portal:Wales/DYK/32

... that the Masonic Hall in Monmouth, Wales, located on Monk Street, houses the oldest surviving masonic lodge in Monmouthshire?
... that Whitecross Street is included on the 1610 map of Monmouth (pictured) drawn by cartographer John Speed?
... that a year after excavation of Neolithic and Roman artefacts at 33 Whitecross Street, archaeologists discovered evidence of Mesolithic human settlement in Monmouth?
... that boys from a Monmouth prep school housed in The Grange won the British under-11 chess championship in 2003?

Portal:Wales/DYK/33

... that the Druid's Head Inn, an old public house in Monmouth, Wales, now serves as the headquarters of the Monmouth RFC?
... that the Monmouth Methodist Church was set back behind the houses along St James Street by law?
... that the Monmouth Regimental Museum displays a variety of objects, including a mediaeval "crock pot" and a baby gas mask?
... that St John's in Monmouth, Wales, has been described as "one of Monmouth's best-kept secrets"?

Portal:Wales/DYK/34

... that Hayscastle in Pembrokeshire once contained a Norman motte and an RAF Chain Home?
... that the very rare ghost orchid was once found in Fiddler's Elbow National Nature Reserve, near Monmouth, Wales?
... that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge live in a rented Anglesey farmhouse on the Bodorgan Hall estate?
... that Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn was a prisoner of war of the Japanese on the Burma Railway before becoming Lord Lieutenant of Denbighshire and of Clwyd?

Portal:Wales/DYK/35

... that the stable block of Newton Court, in Monmouth, hosts one of only three known breeding sites of the greater horseshoe bat in Wales?
... that Glendower Street Congregational Church stood derelict for forty years before its conversion into the award-winning Glendower House, Monmouth?
... that on 13 March 2012, BBC News reported that 17 police stations in South East Wales would close to the public, including Monmouth Police Station?
... that Geoff Charles's photos of 20th-century Welsh life were published at 75 dpi to prevent "illegal copying"?

Portal:Wales/DYK/36

... that Whitecross Street in Wye Bridge Ward, Monmouth took its name from a stone cross that stood in the future St James Square?
.. that it is widely believed in Monmouth that the late John "Mad Jack" Roocroft took his chain saw to the Indian Bean Tree in St James Square?
... that Pentwyn Farm Grasslands hosts one of the largest populations of the green-winged orchid in Gwent?
... that The Royal Oak in Monmouth hosted the survivor of a Dragons' Den?

Portal:Wales/DYK/37

... that the grounds of St Ceinwen's Church, Cerrigceinwen, Wales, contain a spring once said to be able to "cure many diseases"?
... that the global stronghold of the primitive vetch species Vicia orobus is in central and northern Wales?
... that 2012 Olympic taekwondo competitor Jade Jones won Great Britain's first ever gold medal at the Youth Olympic Games?
... that the mineral collection of Lady Clive, a pioneer among female rock collectors, is one of the most important historic mineral collections at the National Museum Wales?

Portal:Wales/DYK/38

... that in 2011, The Crown at Whitebrook was one of four restaurants in Wales to hold a Michelin star?

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