ROUND 1 - Pairs

1.

Which 20th Century Prime Minister’s ashes are buried in Worcester Cathedral? He was MP for a constituency in the county for nearly thirty years.

2.

Who is the most recent Prime Minister to have been interred (or more specifically had his ashes interred) in Westminster Abbey?

3.

Which UK airport was known as Elmdon when it opened in 1939?  It is now the 7th busiest in the country.

4.

Which UK airport was formerly known as Hurn?  It is currently the 24th busiest in the country, and was the UK’s only intercontinental airport until the opening of Heathrow.

5.

What was the name of the Duke of Wellington’s warhorse at the Battle of Waterloo?

6.

What was the name of Alexander the Great’s warhorse which died after the Battle of the Hydaspes?

7.

The Alfred Hitchcock movie Vertigo is largely set in and around which city?

8.

In which city is the movie Good Will Hunting predominantly set?

Sp1

Who was the Republican party candidate who lost the 1996 US presidential election?

Sp2

Who was the Democratic party candidate who lost the 1988 US presidential election?

1.

Three of the five stadiums with the largest capacities in Europe are in the British Isles.  Name them.

2.

Due to its midwinter scheduling, Superbowl host cities tend to be situated in warmer parts of the USA.  In fact, 27 of the 47 Superbowls have been held in just three cities.  Name them.

3.

What was the name of the street in Gloucester where Fred West lived and committed at least eleven murders between 1971 and 1987?

4.

What was the name of the Notting Hill street on which John Christie lived and where he committed eight murders between 1943 and 1953?

5.

Hey Now! and Hello are lesser-known tracks on which 1995 album, one of the top 10 best-selling of all time in the UK?

6.

Speed Demon and Just Good Friends are lesser-known tracks on which 1987 album, also one of the top 10 best-selling of all time in the UK?

7.

Which 20th Century novel contains chapters entitled Village School, Outings and Festivals and Grannies in the Wainscot?

8.

Which 19th Century novel contains chapters entitled The Jackal, Still Knitting and Drawn to the Loadstone Rock?

Sp1

In the Asterix stories, what is the profession of the villager named Unhygienix?

Sp2

In the Asterix stories, what is the profession of the villager named Fulliautomatix?

ROUND 3 - Pot luck

1.

Following Coca-Cola’s reintroduction to Burma, which are the only two countries to still prohibit its sale?

2.

In which English town are the headquarters of the RNLI?

3.

What was the real first name of the character Trigger in Only Fools and Horses?

4.

Which team, currently languishing in the League 1 relegation places, holds the record for the biggest margin of victory in an FA Cup Final, a 6-0 thrashing of Derby County in 1903?

5.

Yale University is situated in which US town or city?

6.

What is the name of the principal airport serving Boston, Massachusetts?

7.

What is the deepest body of water in the English Lake District?

8.

Which rider is entitled to wear the White Jersey in the Tour de France?

ROUND 4 - Hidden theme

1.

Who was Prime Minister of Australia from 1991 to 1996?  He caused something of a storm when he defied protocol by putting his arm around the Queen’s back during a state visit, leading to his being dubbed ‘the Lizard of Oz’ by the British press.

2.

What is the name of Ricky Gervais’s comedy writing partner?  He had a bit-part in The Office but appears more regularly in Extras and A Life Too Short.

3.

Which British comedian, born Bernard Quinn in St Helens in 1936 and most famous for use of a feathery prop, also plays the trombone in the FA-endorsed  England football supporters’ band?

4.

What is the name of the reclusive neighbour who terrifies the Scout children in To Kill A Mockingbird?

5.

Which novel of 1839 tells the story of the young Italian nobleman Fabrice del Dongo?

6.

Which landscape designer was responsible for the grounds at Blaise Castle and Woburn Abbey?

7.

The Hurricanes rugby union team, who participate in the Southern Hemisphere’s Super 15 competition, are based predominantly in which city?

8.

At which corner of the Silverstone racetrack did Michael Schumacher break his leg in the 1999 British grand prix, ending his championship hopes?

Sp.

Which battle, part of the Hundred Years War, was fought on 21st July 1403 between an army led by Henry IV and rebels led by Henry ‘Hotspur’ Percy?  It was the first battle in which English archers fought each other on English soil.

ROUND 5 - Pairs

1.

Name any thee of the six teams in the current Premier League who are yet to play at the rebuilt Wembley Stadium.

2.

Name any one of the five teams in the current Premier and Football Leagues to have never played at either the new or the old Wembley Stadium.

3.

With over 130,000 constituents, which is the largest UK Parliamentary constituency by electorate?  There are proposals to divide it into two using the River Medina as the dividing line which would create two of the smallest constituencies by electorate.

4.

In every general election since 1992, the first constituency to declare a result has been from the same town or city.  Which one? (name of the town or city required, not the specific name of any of the constituencies)

5.

Which country is being described here?  It is the 97th largest in terms of population but only 152nd largest in size.  It has two official languages and has the highest ratio of both university graduates and museums per capita in the world.

6.

Which country is being described here?  It is the 56th largest in terms of size but only 105th largest by population.  It has more indigenous languages than any other nation (over 820 at the last count) and the de facto national sport is rugby league.

7.

How is Helen Graham better known in the title of an 1848 novel set in Yorkshire?

8.

How is Jennet Humfrye better known in the title of a 1983 novella, made into a film in 2012 and set on the east coast of England?

Sp1

Which European city is served by Nicola Tesla airport?  It serves the capital of the country in which the scientist and inventor was born, a city which stands on the River Danube.

Sp2

Which European city is served by Giuseppe Verdi airport?  It serves the capital of the province in which the composer was born, a city famous for its rich gastronomical tradition.

ROUND 6 - Pot luck

1.

Which African country is the most populous landlocked nation in the world?

2.

Which European nation is considered to be the world’s top power in men’s water-polo?  They have won a record nine Olympic gold medals including three in a row in 2000, 2004 and 2008.

3.

In the poll of Greatest Britons conducted by the BBC in 2002, Margaret Thatcher at no.16 was the highest ranked still alive.  Which entertainer was the second highest ranked living Briton (just one place below her at no.17), thanks largely to well-orchestrated mass voting by his notoriously dedicated fan club?

4.

Hamlet and Falstaff are the two largest Shakespearian roles by word count.  Name any one of the roles which come 3rd, 4th or 5th in this ranking.

5.

Which composer, who lived from 1843-1907, has had his music used in the UK to advertise products including peanut butter and Alton Towers.  Versions of his most famous work have appeared on albums by Rainbow, The Who, ELO and Erasure.  His piano concerto was the piece Eric Morecambe was supposed to be playing in the famous sketch featuring Andre Previn.

6.

In which city is the Rungrado May Day Stadium?  With a capacity of 150,000, it is the largest stadium in the world still in regular use.  Standing on the banks of the Taedong River, it is designed to resemble a marigold blossom, the national flower of the country.  It is used by this country’s national football team, but its primary function is to host the Arirang a mass gymnastic and artistic festival held from early August to mid-September.

7.

Which US state has the smallest population (563,000 at the 2010 census)?

8.

Which US state has the highest population density with 1,189 inhabitants per square mile?

Sp.

By what name are David Myers and Simon King better known?

ROUND 7 - Given theme - 'All about awards'

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Born in Budapest, who, with 31, has won the most Grammy awards?

6.

7.

8.

Sp1

Sp2

ROUND 8 - Each answer leads to the next question

1.

Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? is a 2011 memoir described by its author as the "silent twin" of her 1985 semi-autobiographical novel.  What is the name of the 1985 novel?

2.

3.

What is the title of the W H Auden poem recited at the funeral in Four Weddings and a Funeral?

4.

At the funeral of a Catholic priest, which way should the casket face?

5.

What iconic product of his homeland did French poet Leon-Paul Fargue describe as "the feet of God"?

6.

7.

8.

Sp.

ROUND 1 - Pairs

1.

Which 20th Century Prime Minister’s ashes are buried in Worcester Cathedral? He was MP for a constituency in the county for nearly thirty years.

Stanley Baldwin

2.

Who is the most recent Prime Minister to have been interred (or more specifically had his ashes interred) in Westminster Abbey?

Clement Attlee

3.

Which UK airport was known as Elmdon when it opened in 1939?  It is now the 7th busiest in the country.

Birmingham

4.

Which UK airport was formerly known as Hurn?  It is currently the 24th busiest in the country, and was the UK’s only intercontinental airport until the opening of Heathrow.

Bournemouth

5.

What was the name of the Duke of Wellington’s warhorse at the Battle of Waterloo?

Copenhagen

6.

What was the name of Alexander the Great’s warhorse which died after the Battle of the Hydaspes?

Bucephalus

7.

The Alfred Hitchcock movie Vertigo is largely set in and around which city?

San Francisco

8.

In which city is the movie Good Will Hunting predominantly set?

Boston

Sp1

Who was the Republican party candidate who lost the 1996 US presidential election?

Bob Dole

Sp2

Who was the Democratic party candidate who lost the 1988 US presidential election?

Michael Dukakis

1.

Three of the five stadiums with the largest capacities in Europe are in the British Isles.  Name them.

Wembley, Twickenham, Croke Park

2.

Due to its midwinter scheduling, Superbowl host cities tend to be situated in warmer parts of the USA.  In fact, 27 of the 47 Superbowls have been held in just three cities.  Name them.

LA, Miami, New Orleans

3.

What was the name of the street in Gloucester where Fred West lived and committed at least eleven murders between 1971 and 1987?

Cromwell Street

4.

What was the name of the Notting Hill street on which John Christie lived and where he committed eight murders between 1943 and 1953?

Rillington Place

5.

Hey Now! and Hello are lesser-known tracks on which 1995 album, one of the top 10 best-selling of all time in the UK?

(What’s the Story) Morning Glory

6.

Speed Demon and Just Good Friends are lesser-known tracks on which 1987 album, also one of the top 10 best-selling of all time in the UK?

Bad

7.

Which 20th Century novel contains chapters entitled Village School, Outings and Festivals and Grannies in the Wainscot?

Cider With Rosie

8.

Which 19th Century novel contains chapters entitled The Jackal, Still Knitting and Drawn to the Loadstone Rock?

A Tale of Two Cities

Sp1

In the Asterix stories, what is the profession of the villager named Unhygienix?

Fishmonger

Sp2

In the Asterix stories, what is the profession of the villager named Fulliautomatix?

Blacksmith

ROUND 3 - Pot luck

1.

Following Coca-Cola’s reintroduction to Burma, which are the only two countries to still prohibit its sale?

North Korea and Cuba

2.

In which English town are the headquarters of the RNLI?

Poole

3.

What was the real first name of the character Trigger in Only Fools and Horses?

Colin

4.

Which team, currently languishing in the League 1 relegation places, holds the record for the biggest margin of victory in an FA Cup Final, a 6-0 thrashing of Derby County in 1903?

Bury

5.

Yale University is situated in which US town or city?

New Haven

6.

What is the name of the principal airport serving Boston, Massachusetts?

Logan

7.

What is the deepest body of water in the English Lake District?

Wastwater

8.

Which rider is entitled to wear the White Jersey in the Tour de France?

Leading rider under 26 (leading young rider is acceptable)

ROUND 4 - Hidden theme

1.

Who was Prime Minister of Australia from 1991 to 1996?  He caused something of a storm when he defied protocol by putting his arm around the Queen’s back during a state visit, leading to his being dubbed ‘the Lizard of Oz’ by the British press.

Paul Keating

2.

What is the name of Ricky Gervais’s comedy writing partner?  He had a bit-part in The Office but appears more regularly in Extras and A Life Too Short.

Stephen Merchant

3.

Which British comedian, born Bernard Quinn in St Helens in 1936 and most famous for use of a feathery prop, also plays the trombone in the FA-endorsed  England football supporters’ band?

Bernie Clifton

4.

What is the name of the reclusive neighbour who terrifies the Scout children in To Kill A Mockingbird?

(Boo Radley is acceptable)

5.

Which novel of 1839 tells the story of the young Italian nobleman Fabrice del Dongo?

The Charterhouse of Parma

6.

Which landscape designer was responsible for the grounds at Blaise Castle and Woburn Abbey?

Humphry Repton

7.

The Hurricanes rugby union team, who participate in the Southern Hemisphere’s Super 15 competition, are based predominantly in which city?

Wellington

8.

At which corner of the Silverstone racetrack did Michael Schumacher break his leg in the 1999 British grand prix, ending his championship hopes?

Stowe

Sp.

Which battle, part of the Hundred Years War, was fought on 21st July 1403 between an army led by Henry IV and rebels led by Henry ‘Hotspur’ Percy?  It was the first battle in which English archers fought each other on English soil.

Battle of Shrewsbury

ROUND 5 - Pairs

1.

Name any thee of the six teams in the current Premier League who are yet to play at the rebuilt Wembley Stadium.

Fulham, Newcastle, Sunderland, Wigan, Norwich and QPR

2.

Name any one of the five teams in the current Premier and Football Leagues to have never played at either the new or the old Wembley Stadium.

Accrington, Hartlepool, Walsall, Aldershot, Crawley

3.

With over 130,000 constituents, which is the largest UK Parliamentary constituency by electorate?  There are proposals to divide it into two using the River Medina as the dividing line which would create two of the smallest constituencies by electorate.

Isle of Wight

4.

In every general election since 1992, the first constituency to declare a result has been from the same town or city.  Which one? (name of the town or city required, not the specific name of any of the constituencies)

Sunderland

5.

Which country is being described here?  It is the 97th largest in terms of population but only 152nd largest in size.  It has two official languages and has the highest ratio of both university graduates and museums per capita in the world.

Israel

6.

Which country is being described here?  It is the 56th largest in terms of size but only 105th largest by population.  It has more indigenous languages than any other nation (over 820 at the last count) and the de facto national sport is rugby league.

Papua New Guinea

7.

How is Helen Graham better known in the title of an 1848 novel set in Yorkshire?

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall

8.

How is Jennet Humfrye better known in the title of a 1983 novella, made into a film in 2012 and set on the east coast of England?

The Woman in Black

Sp1

Which European city is served by Nicola Tesla airport?  It serves the capital of the country in which the scientist and inventor was born, a city which stands on the River Danube.

Belgrade

Sp2

Which European city is served by Giuseppe Verdi airport?  It serves the capital of the province in which the composer was born, a city famous for its rich gastronomical tradition.

Parma

ROUND 6 - Pot luck

1.

Which African country is the most populous landlocked nation in the world?

Ethiopia

2.

Which European nation is considered to be the world’s top power in men’s water-polo?  They have won a record nine Olympic gold medals including three in a row in 2000, 2004 and 2008.

Hungary

3.

In the poll of Greatest Britons conducted by the BBC in 2002, Margaret Thatcher at no.16 was the highest ranked still alive.  Which entertainer was the second highest ranked living Briton (just one place below her at no.17), thanks largely to well-orchestrated mass voting by his notoriously dedicated fan club?

Michael Crawford

4.

Hamlet and Falstaff are the two largest Shakespearian roles by word count.  Name any one of the roles which come 3rd, 4th or 5th in this ranking.

(any one from)

Richard III,

Henry V,

Iago

5.

Which composer, who lived from 1843-1907, has had his music used in the UK to advertise products including peanut butter and Alton Towers.  Versions of his most famous work have appeared on albums by Rainbow, The Who, ELO and Erasure.  His piano concerto was the piece Eric Morecambe was supposed to be playing in the famous sketch featuring Andre Previn.

6.

In which city is the Rungrado May Day Stadium?  With a capacity of 150,000, it is the largest stadium in the world still in regular use.  Standing on the banks of the Taedong River, it is designed to resemble a marigold blossom, the national flower of the country.  It is used by this country’s national football team, but its primary function is to host the Arirang a mass gymnastic and artistic festival held from early August to mid-September.

Pyongyang

7.

Which US state has the smallest population (563,000 at the 2010 census)?

Wyoming

8.

Which US state has the highest population density with 1,189 inhabitants per square mile?

New Jersey

Sp.

By what name are David Myers and Simon King better known?

The Hairy Bikers

ROUND 7 - Given theme - 'All about awards'

1.

2.

3.

.....and which novel won the award presented for the year 1932?  It focuses on the lives of a group of people on board a train from Ostend to Istanbul.  The author said of it: “For the first and last time in my life I set out to write a book to please, which with luck might be made into a film.  I succeeded in both aims.”

4.

5.

Born in Budapest, who, with 31, has won the most Grammy awards?

6.

7.

8.

Mel Brooks, writer of The Producers, is one of only eleven people to have achieved an 'EGOT', i.e. to have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony for work in TV, music/audio recording, film and theatre respectively.  Name any one of the other ten.  Barbra Streisand, Liza Minnelli and James Earl Jones do not qualify, as in each case at least one of their awards was honorary not competitive.

Sp1

Sp2

ROUND 8 - Each answer leads to the next question

1.

Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? is a 2011 memoir described by its author as the "silent twin" of her 1985 semi-autobiographical novel.  What is the name of the 1985 novel?

2.

3.

What is the title of the W H Auden poem recited at the funeral in Four Weddings and a Funeral?

4.

At the funeral of a Catholic priest, which way should the casket face?

5.

What iconic product of his homeland did French poet Leon-Paul Fargue describe as "the feet of God"?

6.

7.

8.

Sp.