ROUND 1 - Hidden theme

1.

Known locally as The Reek, what is the conically shaped mountain on the southern shore of Clew Bay?

2.

Where is the seat of both Archbishops of Armagh?

3.

Name the actress, particularly associated with George Bernard Shaw, who created the role of Eliza Doolittle in Pygmalion.

4.

The aristocrats of Ancient Rome were known as what?

5.

Born in Pinner, Middlesex, in 1923, this BAFTA winner was knighted in 2001.  His lunar maps and expertise were highly valued by NASA and the Lunik programme.  Name this well known bachelor.

6.

Mrs Coady was the subject of numerous failed assassination attempts by animal-loving Ken, played by Michael Palin in A Fish Called Wanda. Name the actress who played this role.

7.

Born in Hounslow in 1968 with the middle names of Jude Francis, this Soap star was a child actress in The Great Gatsby in 1974.  She went  on to advertise Bird's Eye Peas.  A singer herself she has had boyfriends from Spandau Ballet and Simple Minds and one even more well known.  She played opposite Mel Gibson in Lethal Weapons II.  Who is she?

8.

In the TV series Rumpole of the Bailey who played the part of Phyllida Erskine-Brown?

ROUND 2 - Hidden theme

1.

Which north-flowing river rises on Plynlimon?

2.

This state capital, named after a famous Indian Scout, is situated close to Lake Tahoe and was designated a Territorial Capital of Utah Territory by Abraham Lincoln.  What is it called?

3.

In 1896 a gold strike at Rabbit Creek led to the creation of the largest city ‘west of Winnipeg and north of Seattle’.  This town of 30,000 inhabitants is now preserved as a record of the Klondike fever.  Can you name it?

4.

Born in Helena, Montana this actor went to school in Dunstable, Bedfordshire, UK.  between 1910 and 1913.  He was a childhood friend of actress Myrna Loy.  He went on to receive 7 Oscar nominations and received his second Oscar in 1952 for his portrayal of Marshal Will Kane.  Who was he?

5.

A noted historian and Oxford don, he was MP for Smethwick and a distinguished Colonial Secretary.  Despite losing his seat in a vicious racist campaign, he was made Harold Wilson's first Foreign Secretary, only to resign when he was defeated in a by-election at Leyton.  Who was he?

6.

Which football league team play at Christie Park?

7.

What is the SI derived unit of electrical inductance?

8.

In which Grahame Greene novel do the three main characters, a crooked ex-hotelier, an evangelising vegetarian former Presidential candidate and a con man meet on the Medea as she sails from New York to Haiti later becoming involved with Papa Doc's Tonton Macoute?

ROUND 3 - Hidden theme

1.

What was the name of the corvette in Nicholas Monsarrat’s The Cruel Sea?

2.

What was the organisation formed by admirers of Benjamin Disraeli two years after his death?

3.

What significant event in English history is commemorated on May 29th?

4.

Which seminal piece of Rag Time Music was named in honour of a Black Gentleman's Club in Sedalia, Missouri?

5.

What is the second line of Laurel and Hardy's theme song?

6.

Who in literature was Sir Percy Blakeney?

7.

In which 1989 film does Jessica Tandy play a Jewish matron who cannot accept racial prejudice on a journey through the southern United States?

8.

The hit musical Oklahoma is based on which play by Lynn Riggs?

ROUND 4 - Hidden theme

1.

Who is Member of Parliament for Great Grimsby?

2.

Known to the Romans as Spartina Anglica and, in 1981, crossed by the world's then longest bridge, by what name is it known today?

3.

What did Winston Churchill disastrously return to in his budget of 1925?

4.

Which designer, craftsman, writer and socialist, born in 1834 and died in 1896, founded the Kelmscott Press?

5.

The island of Djerba, off the coast of Tunisia, was reputedly visited by Ullysses and his crew, and is described in a poem by Tennyson in these words: "it seemed always afternoon".  What is its legendary name?

6.

What is the heraldic name for a hound?

7.

Alf Tupper, the Tough of the Track, featured in which publication?

8.

Who was controversially hanged on 28th January 1953 for the murder of PC Miles?

ROUND 5 - Hidden theme

1.

Which novel by George Elliot explores its hero's emotional conflicts as he discovers his Jewish past?

2.

Who created Inspector Wexford?

3.

Which London thoroughfare, originally a private route from Whitehall to Hampton Court, was the haunt of the Sloane Rangers?

4.

Who was Leader of the House of Lords between 2003 and 2007?

5.

Who was 'nicer than lemon squash'?

6.

What is the common name for the plant polygonatum multiflorum?

7.

Who, appropriately enough, is the Lord Chief Justice?

8.

Abingdon, Worcester, Peterborough and Canterbury are the most significant parts of which records originally compiled on the orders of Alfred the Great?

ROUND 6 - Hidden theme

1.

Whose catchphrase was "She knows you know"?

2.

Who is the husband of Julie Andrews and director of the movie The Pink Panther?

3.

Other than a unit of weight, what is an ounce?

4.

Which US President 'could not walk and chew gum at the same time' (in the polite version)?

5.

Four times a day the Wakeman blows his horn in which North Yorkshire town?

6.

What did Hillary and Tensing nibble upon whilst briefly admiring the view in 1953?

7.

Who, after the notorious Blackrock incident involving several unfortunate nuns, found himself on Craggy Island?

8.

Who played the eponymous Blott on the Landscape but now chooses to exercise the little grey cells?

ROUND 7 - Hidden theme

1.

Which Scottish-born architect designed the Knightsbridge Barracks and a famous post-war replacement cathedral?

2.

Michael Heseltine once threatened Bernadette Devlin with what?

3.

The Sue Ryder Foundation chose what symbol of remembrance as its logo?

4.

R A Butler served as Member of Parliament for which Essex constituency from 1929 until 1965?

5.

Thomas Carlyle was known by what sobriquet?

6.

Ricky Gervais is to appear in which long running children's TV series, singing to a character called Elmo?

7.

Urbis, now said to be a successful venture, is in which Manchester street?

8.

Which species of Irish wild life is sometimes called a Norwegian Lobster?

ROUND 8 - Hidden theme

1.

Born in Co. Kildare in 1874, he was a master mariner, journalist, failed parliamentary candidate and a brave and resourceful explorer of considerable endurance.  He lies buried on South Georgia.  Who was he?

2.

Born in Co. Meath in 1769 and educated at the The Royal Equitation School in Angers, he was a Member of Parliament, Secretary for Ireland and later Prime Minister.  Amongst other things he was responsible for the Catholic Emancipation Act and a famous eponym.  Who was he?

3.

Born at Shugborough, Staffordshire in 1697, this noted naval commander (and peer of the realm) circumnavigated the globe as Captain of the Centurion, capturing a Spanish treasure ship, which became the subject of a Patrick O'Brian novel.  Who was he?

4.

Born Edward Wood in 1881, he was MP for Ripon and later as Baron Irwin and Viceroy of India he imprisoned Mahatma Ghandi.  He was then successively Foreign Secretary, Ambassador to Washington and Chancellor of Oxford University as well as a Fellow of All Souls.  Who was he?

5.

Who is the Latin equivalent of Hyphaestus?

6.

Who were the aristocracy of Brandenburg-Prussia?

7.

Born in 1775 at Derrynane, Co Kerry, this Irish barrister famously won the Clare by-election in 1830.  By what nickname is he known?

8.

What London landmark is bounded by Holborn, Chancery Lane, Carey Street and an eponymous open space?

Spares

1.

Skipton is the principal town of which area in Yorkshire?

2.

Who was crowned King of Ireland in 1316 at Dundalk only to die in battle the following year?

3.

In education what is the name given to Inset or in-service training days?

ROUND 1 - Hidden theme

1.

Known locally as The Reek, what is the conically shaped mountain on the southern shore of Clew Bay?

Croagh Patrick

(Ireland's Holy Mountain)

2.

Where is the seat of both Archbishops of Armagh?

Downpatrick

3.

Name the actress, particularly associated with George Bernard Shaw, who created the role of Eliza Doolittle in Pygmalion.

Mrs Patrick Campbell

4.

The aristocrats of Ancient Rome were known as what?

Patricians

5.

Born in Pinner, Middlesex, in 1923, this BAFTA winner was knighted in 2001.  His lunar maps and expertise were highly valued by NASA and the Lunik programme.  Name this well known bachelor.

Sir Patrick Moore

6.

Mrs Coady was the subject of numerous failed assassination attempts by animal-loving Ken, played by Michael Palin in A Fish Called Wanda. Name the actress who played this role.

Patricia Hayes

7.

Born in Hounslow in 1968 with the middle names of Jude Francis, this Soap star was a child actress in The Great Gatsby in 1974.  She went  on to advertise Bird's Eye Peas.  A singer herself she has had boyfriends from Spandau Ballet and Simple Minds and one even more well known.  She played opposite Mel Gibson in Lethal Weapons II.  Who is she?

Patsy Kensit

8.

In the TV series Rumpole of the Bailey who played the part of Phyllida Erskine-Brown?

Patricia Hodge

ROUND 2 - Hidden theme

1.

Which north-flowing river rises on Plynlimon?

The Dee

2.

This state capital, named after a famous Indian Scout, is situated close to Lake Tahoe and was designated a Territorial Capital of Utah Territory by Abraham Lincoln.  What is it called?

Carson City

(Nevada)

3.

In 1896 a gold strike at Rabbit Creek led to the creation of the largest city ‘west of Winnipeg and north of Seattle’.  This town of 30,000 inhabitants is now preserved as a record of the Klondike fever.  Can you name it?

Dawson City

4.

Born in Helena, Montana this actor went to school in Dunstable, Bedfordshire, UK.  between 1910 and 1913.  He was a childhood friend of actress Myrna Loy.  He went on to receive 7 Oscar nominations and received his second Oscar in 1952 for his portrayal of Marshal Will Kane.  Who was he?

Gary Cooper

5.

A noted historian and Oxford don, he was MP for Smethwick and a distinguished Colonial Secretary.  Despite losing his seat in a vicious racist campaign, he was made Harold Wilson's first Foreign Secretary, only to resign when he was defeated in a by-election at Leyton.  Who was he?

Patrick Gordon Walker

6.

Which football league team play at Christie Park?

Morecambe

7.

What is the SI derived unit of electrical inductance?

Henry

8.

In which Grahame Greene novel do the three main characters, a crooked ex-hotelier, an evangelising vegetarian former Presidential candidate and a con man meet on the Medea as she sails from New York to Haiti later becoming involved with Papa Doc's Tonton Macoute?

The Comedians

ROUND 3 - Hidden theme

1.

What was the name of the corvette in Nicholas Monsarrat’s The Cruel Sea?

HMS Compass Rose

2.

What was the organisation formed by admirers of Benjamin Disraeli two years after his death?

The Primrose League

3.

What significant event in English history is commemorated on May 29th?

Oak Apple Day

(to honour the restoration of the monarchy in 1660 - Charles II hid in an oak tree after the battle of Worcester)

4.

Which seminal piece of Rag Time Music was named in honour of a Black Gentleman's Club in Sedalia, Missouri?

Maple Leaf Rag

5.

What is the second line of Laurel and Hardy's theme song?

"On the trail of the lonesome pine"

6.

Who in literature was Sir Percy Blakeney?

The Scarlet Pimpernel

7.

In which 1989 film does Jessica Tandy play a Jewish matron who cannot accept racial prejudice on a journey through the southern United States?

Driving Miss Daisy

8.

The hit musical Oklahoma is based on which play by Lynn Riggs?

Green Grow the Lilacs

ROUND 4 - Hidden theme

1.

Who is Member of Parliament for Great Grimsby?

Austin Mitchell

2.

Known to the Romans as Spartina Anglica and, in 1981, crossed by the world's then longest bridge, by what name is it known today?

Humber

3.

What did Winston Churchill disastrously return to in his budget of 1925?

The Gold Standard

4.

Which designer, craftsman, writer and socialist, born in 1834 and died in 1896, founded the Kelmscott Press?

William Morris

5.

The island of Djerba, off the coast of Tunisia, was reputedly visited by Ullysses and his crew, and is described in a poem by Tennyson in these words: "it seemed always afternoon".  What is its legendary name?

Land of the Lotus Eaters

6.

What is the heraldic name for a hound?

Talbot

7.

Alf Tupper, the Tough of the Track, featured in which publication?

The Rover or The Victor

8.

Who was controversially hanged on 28th January 1953 for the murder of PC Miles?

Derek Bentley

ROUND 5 - Hidden theme

1

Which novel by George Elliot explores its hero's emotional conflicts as he discovers his Jewish past?

Daniel Deronda

2.

Who created Inspector Wexford?

Ruth Rendell

3.

Which London thoroughfare, originally a private route from Whitehall to Hampton Court, was the haunt of the Sloane Rangers?

King's Road, Chelsea

4.

Who was Leader of the House of Lords between 2003 and 2007?

Baroness Amos

5.

Who was 'nicer than lemon squash'?

Joshua

6.

What is the common name for the plant polygonatum multiflorum?

Solomon's seal

7.

Who, appropriately enough, is the Lord Chief Justice?

Lord Judge

8.

Abingdon, Worcester, Peterborough and Canterbury are the most significant parts of which records originally compiled on the orders of Alfred the Great?

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle

ROUND 6 - Hidden theme

1

Whose catchphrase was "She knows you know"?

Hilda Baker

2.

Who is the husband of Julie Andrews and director of the movie The Pink Panther?

Blake Edwards

3.

Other than a unit of weight, what is an ounce?

A snow leopard

4.

Which US President 'could not walk and chew gum at the same time' (in the polite version)?

Gerald Ford

5.

Four times a day the Wakeman blows his horn in which North Yorkshire town?

Ripon

6.

What did Hillary and Tensing nibble upon whilst briefly admiring the view in 1953?

Kendal mint cake

7.

Who, after the notorious Blackrock incident involving several unfortunate nuns, found himself on Craggy Island?

Fr Dougal McGuire

8.

Who played the eponymous Blott on the Landscape but now chooses to exercise the little grey cells?

David Suchet

ROUND 7 - Hidden theme

1.

Which Scottish-born architect designed the Knightsbridge Barracks and a famous post-war replacement cathedral?

Sir Basil Spence

2.

Michael Heseltine once threatened Bernadette Devlin with what?

The Mace

(of the House of Commons)

3.

The Sue Ryder Foundation chose what symbol of remembrance as its logo?

Rosemary

4.

R A Butler served as Member of Parliament for which Essex constituency from 1929 until 1965?

Saffron Walden

5.

Thomas Carlyle was known by what sobriquet?

The Sage of Chelsea

6.

Ricky Gervais is to appear in which long running children's TV series, singing to a character called Elmo?

Sesame Street

7.

Urbis, now said to be a successful venture, is in which Manchester street?

Fennel Street

8.

Which species of Irish wild life is sometimes called a Norwegian Lobster?

Dublin Bay Prawn

ROUND 8 - Hidden theme

1.

Born in Co. Kildare in 1874, he was a master mariner, journalist, failed parliamentary candidate and a brave and resourceful explorer of considerable endurance.  He lies buried on South Georgia.  Who was he?

Sir Ernest Shackleton

2.

Born in Co. Meath in 1769 and educated at the The Royal Equitation School in Angers, he was a Member of Parliament, Secretary for Ireland and later Prime Minister.  Amongst other things he was responsible for the Catholic Emancipation Act and a famous eponym.  Who was he?

The Duke of Wellington

3.

Born at Shugborough, Staffordshire in 1697, this noted naval commander (and peer of the realm) circumnavigated the globe as Captain of the Centurion, capturing a Spanish treasure ship, which became the subject of a Patrick O'Brian novel.  Who was he?

Admiral George Anson

4.

Born Edward Wood in 1881, he was MP for Ripon and later as Baron Irwin and Viceroy of India he imprisoned Mahatma Ghandi.  He was then successively Foreign Secretary, Ambassador to Washington and Chancellor of Oxford University as well as a Fellow of All Souls.  Who was he?

Lord Halifax

5.

Who is the Latin equivalent of Hyphaestus?

Vulcan

6.

Who were the aristocracy of Brandenburg-Prussia?

Junkers

7.

Born in 1775 at Derrynane, Co Kerry, this Irish barrister famously won the Clare by-election in 1830.  By what nickname is he known?

The Liberator

(he is, of course, Daniel O'Connell)

8.

What London landmark is bounded by Holborn, Chancery Lane, Carey Street and an eponymous open space?

Lincoln's Inn

1.

Skipton is the principal town of which area in Yorkshire?

The Craven Dales

(or simply Craven)

2.

Who was crowned King of Ireland in 1316 at Dundalk only to die in battle the following year?

Edward Bruce

3.

In education what is the name given to Inset or in-service training days?

Baker days

Go back to Spare questions without answers