ROUND 1 - Hidden theme

1.

What is the name of the HBO series, created by David Simon and set in Baltimore,  which ran from 2002 to 2008?

2.

What 2003 film starring Russell Crowe is based on a novel by Patrick O’Brian?

3.

Which 1991 film was the third film to win all top 5 Academy Award categories: Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay?

4.

What is the name for the geological period of time between the Ordovician and Devonian period, which marked the first jawed and bony fish and an extinction event where 60% of marine species were wiped out?

5.

What word, meaning the scientific study of control and communication in the animal and the machine, comes from the Ancient Greek for ‘good at steering’?

6.

Which reality television star’s death in 2009 lead to a 12% increase in women between 25 and 64 having smear tests?

7.

Which British actor and comedian, born Robert Christopher Nankeville, starred in 1980s ITV shows such as TV Annual and Sketch Pad?

8.

Bridgewater Place in Leeds, criticized for both its looks and the dangerous wind tunnels it creates, is nicknamed what?

Sp.

Name the style of grave statuary made famous by William Wetmore Story’s grave in Rome and  also found as the Henry Lathrop monument at Stanford University

ROUND 2 - 'Like Father, Like Son'

Each question indicates a father and son who have both worked in the same industry or profession - first names and shared surname are required

1.

Dr Zhivago / Oxygene

2.

Hey / Hero

3.

The Three Musketeers / The Lady of the Camillias

4.

Vile Bodies / Bad Sex Awards

5.

Swindon Town and Manchester City / Swindon Town and Manchester City

6.

Nottinghamshire and England / Nottinghamshire and England

7.

The Pursuit of Happyness/The Pursuit of Happyness

8.

The Treasure of the Sierra Madre / The Treasure of the Sierra Madre

Sp.

1900 / 24

ROUND 3 - Pairs

1.

Which country has the most westerly point in mainland Africa?

2.

Which country has the most northerly point in mainland South America?

3.

Name the British driver who has made his F1 debut for the Marussia team this season.

4.

In F1 what does DRS stand for?

5.

Who presents the new TV programme The Great British Sewing Bee?

6.

Who joined the presenting team of BBC1’s Bang Goes the Theory for this series?

7.

Which Russian artist, born in 1866, taught at the Bauhaus and is credited with producing the first purely abstract works?

8.

Which artist, born in 1852 and nicknamed ‘God’s Architect’, is known for his synthesis of architecture, nature and religion?

ROUND 4 - Given theme - 'Blue Square Despair'

I have the misfortune to support Stockport County, who were recently relegated from the Football League. In the Blue Square Premier league they now play their games against teams from towns less traditionally associated with professional football. The answer to each question is one such town.

1.

Where Mick Jagger and Keith Richards first met.

2.

Where the red carpet used at the recent royal wedding was made.

3.

Sir Robert Peel’s constituency from 1830 until his death in 1850 and nowadays home of the SnowDome.

4.

Where Joseph Swan invented the incandescent electric light bulb (before Edison).

5.

Location of the UK’s first crematorium, opened in 1878, and first mosque, opened in 1889.    

6.

This Midlands town advertises itself as 'The Birthplace of Industry'.

7.

A silk manufacturing town, once dominated by the Courtauld family and more recently where electro band The Prodigy was founded.

8.

Derbyshire coal mining town reputedly founded by King Alfred.

Sp.

Mary Ann Evans (aka Victorian novelist George Eliot) was born nearby, and brought up in this town

You will be given three events that happened in a specific year. You just have to name the year!

1.

Robert Mugabe is elected Prime Minister of Zimbabwe;

Yugoslav President Tito dies;

Johnny Logan gets to number one with What's Another Year.

2.

The Aswan High Dam officially opens in Egypt;

Switzerland gives women voting rights in state elections;

In Melbourne, the first-ever One Day International is played after a Test Match is abandoned because of rain.

3.

The first London Marathon takes place.

4.

Nijinsky wins the English triple crown.

5.

The Cultural Revolution begins in China;

The Doors release their first album;

Star Trek is show on US television for the first time.

6.

BBC2 achieves its highest ever audience figure for a single programme.

7.

Sunderland beat Leeds 1-0 to win the FA Cup.

8.

Robin Know-Johnston becomes the first person to sail around the world solo without stopping;

Tony Jacklin wins The Open.

Sp1

Ipswich Town beat Arsenal 1-0 in the FA Cup final.

Sp2

ROUND 6 - Hidden theme

1.

Which home computer, produced from 1983 to 1992, was originally known as the VIC-64 until its name changed to that of the manufacturing company?

2.

Which politician who was born on 27 March 1912 in Portsmouth, and died in East Sussex on 26 March 2005 had his first job at the Inland Revenue and was Father of the House from 1983 to 1987?

3.

Which Bradford group had a 1976 hit with Living Next Door To Alice?

4.

Which American movie star, who died in 1987, was a descendant of Thomas Jefferson and George Washington, and was named after a confederate, civil war general?

5.

Which stand-up comedian released DVDs of his live shows entitled Unrealtime, Fizzy Logic and Things?

6.

Which controversial, religious film of 1988 starred Willem Dafoe and Harvey Keitel?            

7.

In Blackadder II, where was the 'baby-eating bishop' from?

8.

What was the first name of US President George Washington's wife?

Sp1

Which public service started on BBC radio in 1924 and continues on various channels today?  It was also experimented with on television in the 1950s and 60s.

Sp2

Which 1955 Watch With Mother program contained the characters Buttercup the cow, and Dobbin the horse?

ROUND 7 - Pairs - 'Here Come the Girls'

1.

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has been the President of which country since January 2006?

2.

Portia Simpson Miller has been Prime Minister of which country since January 2012?

3.

Born in Baghdad in 1950, this British architect was the first woman to win the Prizker Architecture prize in 2004.  Amongst her works was the Aquatic Centre for the London Olympics.  Who is she?

4.

Born in Bradford in 1966 and former member of group Talulah Gosh, she won The Turner Prize for her video installation The Woolworth Choir of 1979.  Who is she ?

5.

Lord Byron's only legitimate child, this influential mathematician worked with Charles Babbage on his analytical engine and is believed to have written the first computer programme.  Who is she?

6.

In 1859, this woman was elected the first female member of The Royal Statistical Society and later an honorary member of The American Statistical Association.  She was regarded as a pioneer in the graphical presentation of statistics but is much more famous for her work in another field.  Who is she?

7.

She began her TV career as a secretary for Associated London Scripts, later becoming an agent for comedy writers and performers such as Spike Milligan, Eric Sykes, Johnny Speight, and Galton and Simpson.  She later produced TV comedies Men Behaving Badly and Coupling, amongst others.  She has an Executive Producer credit on Sherlock, which is produced by her daughter Sue.  She was awarded a BAFTA in 2004 for 'Outstanding Creative Achievement'.  Who is she?       

8.

She joined the BBC in 1934 as a producer for Children's Hour and later become a presenter for Woman's Hour, before becoming a TV presenter, documentary maker and producer.  She founded The Rose Hill Trust in Manchester for unsupported mothers.  She died in 1999.   Who is she?

Sp1

This attacking midfielder made her England debut aged 16, won 66 caps, scoring 33 goals.  After her playing career, she turned to coaching and in 2003 became the first woman to be awarded UEFA Pro Licence.  She was awarded an OBE in 2002.  Who is she?

Sp2

ROUND 8 - Hidden theme

1.

In 1985, the Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior was sunk by French foreign intelligence agents in the harbour that serves which city?

2.

Which veteran British broadcaster was given his long-standing nickname by Ken Dodd and can now be heard as the stadium announcer at Fulham FC?

3.

The Chapel of which Oxford University college is also the cathedral of the diocese of Oxford?

4.

Which Dickens character has a strong unrequited love for Lucie Manette?

5.

In which city were the authors Howard Spring, Ken Follett and Roald Dahl born?

6.

In the 1905 English football bribery scandal, which team was allegedly bribed to lose their final match of the season to Aston Villa?  The scandal resulted in the manager being banned from football for life and 17 players being banned from playing for the club again?

7.

The first single released from her debut solo album The Dutchess, what was the title of the Black Eyed Peas lead singer Fergie’s first solo UK top ten single, which charted in 2006?

8.

Which 1982 film, a remake of a 1935 German film, earned Oscar acting nominations for Robert Preston, Julie Andrews and Lesley Ann-Warren?

Sp1

With which NHL ice hockey team did Wayne Gretsky win four Stanley Cups in the 1980s?

Sp2

In which city is the hit BBC TV comedy series, Mrs Brown’s Boys recorded live before a studio audience?

ROUND 1 - Hidden theme

1.

What is the name of the HBO series, created by David Simon and set in Baltimore,  which ran from 2002 to 2008?

The Wire

2.

What 2003 film starring Russell Crowe is based on a novel by Patrick O’Brian?

Master and Commander

3.

Which 1991 film was the third film to win all top 5 Academy Award categories: Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay?

Silence of the Lambs

4.

What is the name for the geological period of time between the Ordovician and Devonian period, which marked the first jawed and bony fish and an extinction event where 60% of marine species were wiped out?

Silurian

5.

What word, meaning the scientific study of control and communication in the animal and the machine, comes from the Ancient Greek for ‘good at steering’?

Cybernetic

6.

Which reality television star’s death in 2009 lead to a 12% increase in women between 25 and 64 having smear tests?

Jade Goody

7.

Which British actor and comedian, born Robert Christopher Nankeville, starred in 1980s ITV shows such as TV Annual and Sketch Pad?

Bobby Davro

8.

Bridgewater Place in Leeds, criticized for both its looks and the dangerous wind tunnels it creates, is nicknamed what?

The Dalek

Sp.

Name the style of grave statuary made famous by William Wetmore Story’s grave in Rome and  also found as the Henry Lathrop monument at Stanford University

Weeping Angel

Theme: Each answer contains a reference to a Doctor Who villain:

 The Wire, The Master, The Silence, Silurian, Cybermen, Ood, Davros, the Dalek, the Weeping Angels

ROUND 2 - 'Like Father, Like Son'

Each question indicates a father and son who have both worked in the same industry or profession - first names and shared surname are required

1.

Dr Zhivago / Oxygene

Maurice and Jean Michel Jarre

2.

Hey / Hero

Julio and Enrique Iglesias

3.

The Three Musketeers / The Lady of the Camillias

Alexandre and Alexandre Dumas

(often followed by 'pere' or 'fils' to distinguish them)

4.

Vile Bodies / Bad Sex Awards

Evelyn and Auberon Waugh

5.

Swindon Town and Manchester City / Swindon Town and Manchester City

Mike and Nicky Summerbee

6.

Nottinghamshire and England / Nottinghamshire and England

Chris and Stuart Broad

7.

The Pursuit of Happyness/The Pursuit of Happyness

Will Smith and Jaden Smith

8.

The Treasure of the Sierra Madre / The Treasure of the Sierra Madre

Walter and John Huston

(John directed his father Walter and both won Oscars – John for best director and best adapted screenplay and Walter for best supporting actor, the first father-son double win)

Sp.

1900 / 24

Donald and Keifer Sutherland

ROUND 3 - Pairs

1.

Which country has the most westerly point in mainland Africa?

Senegal

(Pointe des Almadies, Cap Vert Peninsula)

2.

Which country has the most northerly point in mainland South America?

Colombia

(Punta Gallinas)

3.

Name the British driver who has made his F1 debut for the Marussia team this season.

Max Chilton

4.

In F1 what does DRS stand for?

Drag Reduction System

5.

Who presents the new TV programme The Great British Sewing Bee?

Claudia Winkleman

6.

Who joined the presenting team of BBC1’s Bang Goes the Theory for this series?

Maggie Philbin

7.

Which Russian artist, born in 1866, taught at the Bauhaus and is credited with producing the first purely abstract works?

(Wassily) Kandinsky

8.

Which artist, born in 1852 and nicknamed ‘God’s Architect’, is known for his synthesis of architecture, nature and religion?

(Antoni) Gaudi

ROUND 4 - Given theme - 'Blue Square Despair'

I have the misfortune to support Stockport County, who were recently relegated from the Football League. In the Blue Square Premier league they now play their games against teams from towns less traditionally associated with professional football. The answer to each question is one such town.

1.

Where Mick Jagger and Keith Richards first met.

Dartford

2.

Where the red carpet used at the recent royal wedding was made.

Kidderminster

3.

Sir Robert Peel’s constituency from 1830 until his death in 1850 and nowadays home of the SnowDome.

Tamworth

4.

Where Joseph Swan invented the incandescent electric light bulb (before Edison).

Gateshead

5.

Location of the UK’s first crematorium, opened in 1878, and first mosque, opened in 1889.    

Woking

6.

This Midlands town advertises itself as 'The Birthplace of Industry'.

Telford

7.

A silk manufacturing town, once dominated by the Courtauld family and more recently where electro band The Prodigy was founded.

Braintree

8.

Derbyshire coal mining town reputedly founded by King Alfred.

Alfreton

Sp.

Mary Ann Evans (aka Victorian novelist George Eliot) was born nearby, and brought up in this town

Nuneaton

ROUND 5 - Name the Year

You will be given three events that happened in a specific year. You just have to name the year!

1.

Robert Mugabe is elected Prime Minister of Zimbabwe;

Yugoslav President Tito dies;

Johnny Logan gets to number one with What's Another Year.

1980

2.

The Aswan High Dam officially opens in Egypt;

Switzerland gives women voting rights in state elections;

In Melbourne, the first-ever One Day International is played after a Test Match is abandoned because of rain.

1971

3.

The first London Marathon takes place.

1981

4.

Nijinsky wins the English triple crown.

1970
 

5.

The Cultural Revolution begins in China;

The Doors release their first album;

Star Trek is show on US television for the first time.

1966

6.

BBC2 achieves its highest ever audience figure for a single programme.

1985

7.

Sunderland beat Leeds 1-0 to win the FA Cup.

1973

8.

Robin Know-Johnston becomes the first person to sail around the world solo without stopping;

Tony Jacklin wins The Open.

1969

Sp1

Ipswich Town beat Arsenal 1-0 in the FA Cup final.

1978

Sp2

1964

ROUND 6 - Hidden theme

1.

Which home computer, produced from 1983 to 1992, was originally known as the VIC-64 until its name changed to that of the manufacturing company?

Commodore-64

(accept Commodore)

2.

Which politician who was born on 27 March 1912 in Portsmouth, and died in East Sussex on 26 March 2005 had his first job at the Inland Revenue and was Father of the House from 1983 to 1987?

James Callaghan

3.

Which Bradford group had a 1976 hit with Living Next Door To Alice?

Smokey

4.

Which American movie star, who died in 1987, was a descendant of Thomas Jefferson and George Washington, and was named after a confederate, civil war general?

Lee Marvin

5.

Which stand-up comedian released DVDs of his live shows entitled Unrealtime, Fizzy Logic and Things?

Ross Noble

6.

Which controversial, religious film of 1988 starred Willem Dafoe and Harvey Keitel?            

The Last Temptation of Christ

7.

In Blackadder II, where was the 'baby-eating bishop' from?

Bath and Wells

8.

What was the first name of US President George Washington's wife?

Martha

Sp1

Which public service started on BBC radio in 1924 and continues on various channels today?  It was also experimented with on television in the 1950s and 60s.

(GMT Time signal)

Sp2

Which 1955 Watch With Mother program contained the characters Buttercup the cow, and Dobbin the horse?

The Woodentops

Theme: Each answer contains at least part of the name of a famous Motown act:

ROUND 7 - Pairs - 'Here Come the Girls'

1.

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has been the President of which country since January 2006?

Liberia

2.

Portia Simpson Miller has been Prime Minister of which country since January 2012?

Jamaica

3.

Born in Baghdad in 1950, this British architect was the first woman to win the Prizker Architecture prize in 2004.  Amongst her works was the Aquatic Centre for the London Olympics.  Who is she?

Zaha Hadid

4.

Born in Bradford in 1966 and former member of group Talulah Gosh, she won The Turner Prize for her video installation The Woolworth Choir of 1979.  Who is she ?

Elizabeth Price

5.

Lord Byron's only legitimate child, this influential mathematician worked with Charles Babbage on his analytical engine and is believed to have written the first computer programme.  Who is she?

Ada Lovelace

6.

In 1859, this woman was elected the first female member of The Royal Statistical Society and later an honorary member of The American Statistical Association.  She was regarded as a pioneer in the graphical presentation of statistics but is much more famous for her work in another field.  Who is she?

Florence Nightingale

7.

She began her TV career as a secretary for Associated London Scripts, later becoming an agent for comedy writers and performers such as Spike Milligan, Eric Sykes, Johnny Speight, and Galton and Simpson.  She later produced TV comedies Men Behaving Badly and Coupling, amongst others.  She has an Executive Producer credit on Sherlock, which is produced by her daughter Sue.  She was awarded a BAFTA in 2004 for 'Outstanding Creative Achievement'.  Who is she?       

Beryl Vertue

8.

She joined the BBC in 1934 as a producer for Children's Hour and later become a presenter for Woman's Hour, before becoming a TV presenter, documentary maker and producer.  She founded The Rose Hill Trust in Manchester for unsupported mothers.  She died in 1999.   Who is she?

Olive Shapley

Sp1

This attacking midfielder made her England debut aged 16, won 66 caps, scoring 33 goals.  After her playing career, she turned to coaching and in 2003 became the first woman to be awarded UEFA Pro Licence.  She was awarded an OBE in 2002.  Who is she?

Hope Powell

(Current England Manager)

Sp2

ROUND 8 - Hidden theme

1.

In 1985, the Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior was sunk by French foreign intelligence agents in the harbour that serves which city?

Auckland

2.

Which veteran British broadcaster was given his long-standing nickname by Ken Dodd and can now be heard as the stadium announcer at Fulham FC?

(Diddy is the nickname)

3.

The Chapel of which Oxford University college is also the cathedral of the diocese of Oxford?

Christ Church

4.

Which Dickens character has a strong unrequited love for Lucie Manette?

(Tale of Two Cities)

5.

In which city were the authors Howard Spring, Ken Follett and Roald Dahl born?

Cardiff

6.

In the 1905 English football bribery scandal, which team was allegedly bribed to lose their final match of the season to Aston Villa?  The scandal resulted in the manager being banned from football for life and 17 players being banned from playing for the club again?

Manchester City

(they lost the match 3-2)

7.

The first single released from her debut solo album The Dutchess, what was the title of the Black Eyed Peas lead singer Fergie’s first solo UK top ten single, which charted in 2006?

London Bridge

8.

Which 1982 film, a remake of a 1935 German film, earned Oscar acting nominations for Robert Preston, Julie Andrews and Lesley Ann-Warren?

Victor Victoria

Sp1

With which NHL ice hockey team did Wayne Gretsky win four Stanley Cups in the 1980s?

Edmonton Oilers

Sp2

In which city is the hit BBC TV comedy series, Mrs Brown’s Boys recorded live before a studio audience?

Glasgow

Theme: Each city mentioned in the answers has been selected as a host city for the British Empire or Commonwealth Games