ROUND 1 - Pairs from The Opsimaths

1.

What did Liverpool FC steal from Woolwich Arsenal in 1906?

2.

What is the first line of The Celtic Song, a pastiche of which is sung by Everton fans before each home match?

3.

Henry IV was also called Bolingbroke, having been born in the castle of that name.  In which county is Bolingbroke Castle located?

4.

In which Iraqi town were both Saladin (in 1138) and Saddam Hussein (in 1937) born?

5.

What term, derived from the Latin for 'blossom of the wild pomegranate', describes a short pillar or post supporting the handrail of a flight of stairs?

6.

One of the curses of modern British city streets, what is a ‘Chugger’?

7.

In the 1920s the largest building in Britain was in Cardington, Bedfordshire.  What was constructed in the building?

8.

It's in Denver and, at 16,000 feet long, is the longest in North America.  What is it?

Sp1

In the week Maggie Thatcher died, Ding Dong! The Witch is Dead reached number two in the music charts.  What was number one?  Name either the song or the band.

Sp2

Name the rival song or the group that sang it, which entered the charts at 35.  It was originally released in 1979.

ROUND 2 - ‘Mayday’ from I Blame Smoke Fairies

1.

Where, if you were up early enough this morning, could you have heard the Hymnus Eucharisticus being sung?

2.

Today in Padstow, Minehead, and some other towns you may have seen a Tourney a Sieve or a Mast.  What are they?

3.

What festival has been celebrated today in Germany, The Netherlands, The Czech Republic and Sweden amongst others?

4.

In Ireland, Scotland and The Isle of Man, the same festival has been celebrated under a different name.  What is it called?

5.

Nineteen years ago today millions of TV viewers witnessed the death of one of the most famous people in the world.  Who?

6.

On this day 244 years ago a great British hero was born though not in Great Britain.  Who?

7.

On this day over 300 years ago something momentous was brought into being that may not last for more than another two years.  What?

8.

What grew by two-thirds, nine years ago today?

Sp1

Born Seattle 1st May 1939, once romantically involved with Stephen Stills, credited with bringing the music of Leonard Cohen (amongst others) to public attention, sang Amazing Grace and Chelsea Morning at Bill Clinton’s first inauguration and her performance of one of Stephen Sondheim’s most famous songs is widely believed to be responsible for his winning a Grammy for the song.

Sp2

Born Srinagar 1st May 1946, once romantically involved with an alter ego of William Roache, a Fellow of The Royal Geographical Society, responsible for giving a government minister one of the most embarrassing five minutes on live TV in recent years when she ambushed him in 2009.

ROUND 3 - 'Endings' from Albert

1.

In 2010 Jimi Heselden was, ironically, killed while using a product made by his own company.  What is the product?

2.

Which modern Revolutionary leader's last words are said to have been "I don't want to die. Please don't let me die"?

3.

4.

Which 20th Century British Prime Minister died on a voyage to South America shortly after leaving office?

5.

Which 19th Century British Prime Minister holds the record for the shortest time in office?

6.

Only two American Presidents have pre deceased their own fathers. Name one of them.

7.

Which Archbishop was shot while saying Mass in 1974?

8.

In which Shakespeare play does a character utter the line "Lets kill all the lawyers"?

Sp.

On Sunday April 14th before Mrs Thatcher's funeral and the announcement of his own retirement, Britain's greatest Olympic cyclist, Sir Chris Hoy, received hundreds of abusive tweets.  Why?

ROUND 4 - Hidden Theme from The Men They Couldn't Hang

1.

In which 1941 film did Roddy MacDowell play Huw Morgan, the youngest son of a miner, while Walter Pidgeon played Mr Gruffydd, the local Methodist preacher?

2.

Which single of 1980 has the following opening lines “I’m no good at chatting up I always get rebuffed. Enough to drive a man to drink I don’t do no washing up”?

3.

Which venue, home to the San Francisco 49ers, was the scene of the Beatles final commercial public concert on 29th of August 1966?

4.

What is the title of the matchday magazine of the club whose first ever victory in a Football League game occurred on the first of September 2007 when they beat Lincoln City at their Victoria Road stadium?

5.

What culinary innovation occurred around 1860 when Frenchman Jean Naigeon experimented with a long established recipe by substituting the juice of not fully ripened grapes for vinegar, and mixed it to a paste with the crushed seeds of the plant brassica juncea, water, salt and lemon juice?

6.

When Clara and the Prince, recently transformed from being a nutcracker, travelled overseas to the Land of Sweets, who did they find ruling there in the prince’s absence?

7.

In which London thoroughfare will you find The Cenotaph memorial?

8.

(Hurry this offer must end soon!  Q8 is yet another two for the price of one special offer.)

Published in 1887, what was the title of the first novel to feature Sherlock Holmes?

Sp.

Which Manchester building constructed throughout the 1890s to the Gothic revival design of Basil Champneys opened its doors to the public on the 1st of January 1900?

ROUND 5 - Pairs from 'Knocked Out United' (i.e. a pot pourri of questions from all the teams)

1.

Which member of Thatcher’s cabinet shares their name with an actor who featured in all six Star Wars films?

2.

Which member of Thatcher’s cabinet shares their name with one of the foremost art critics of their generation?  He published books from 1928 -1980, but is best remembered for defining the genre of high production value documentary.

3.

Alan of Walsingham’s Octagon Tower is a noted and unusual feature of which English Cathedral?

4.

Which English designer, artist and poet lived in The Red House in Bexleyheath, now a National Trust property, from its completion in 1860 until 1865?

5.

What is the alternative popular name for Gladioli?

6.

Who wrote the play The Rose Tattoo?

7.

What was the first name of Felix Mendelssohn’s elder sister, herself a pianist and composer of some renown?

8.

What was the first name of Robert Schumann’s wife, herself a virtuoso pianist and composer of some renown?

Sp1

Why are many beers, including Stella, Guinness and Greene King IPA strictly speaking not vegetarian?

Sp2

Why are many cheeses, and particularly Gran Padano, Gorgonzola and Parmesan, strictly speaking not vegetarian?

ROUND 6 - 'Popes' from The History Men

According to the prophecies of the 12^th century St Malachy of Armagh, the present pontiff will be the last, following which Rome will be destroyed and the Apocalypse begin.

To mark this auspicious occasion the setters thought they’d better get a round in on popes before the fire and brimstone starts.

1.

2.

Once described by Richard Nixon as "the most dangerous man in America" who had the nickname ‘The Pope of Dope’?

3.

Which English actor, who died in 1990, played the role of the warrior Pope Julius II in the Michelangelo 1965 biopic The Agony and the Ecstasy?

4.

Which English actor, who died in 2000, played the role of the worldly wise Pope Innocent III in the Francis of Assisi 1972 biopic Brother Sun, Sister Moon?

5.

What is the subject of former Ministry of Defence officer Nick Pope’s highly acclaimed non-fiction 1999 book Open Skies, Closed Minds?

6.

Jim Pope is best remembered as a voice-over announcer for which long running series from 1972 until his death in 2001?

7.

In which novel of 1904 is George Arthur Rose unexpectedly elected pope but after a brief reign is assassinated by an Ulsterman?

8.

Robbie Coltrane played Giuseppe Albinizi who is unexpectedly elected pope in the 1991 comedy film The Pope Must Die. This title was thought too risqué for the American market.  Under what title was the film released there?

Sp.

Which actor plays the licentious and scheming Pope Alexander VI in the current Showtime TV series The Borgias?

ROUND 7 - 'Scottish Islands' from The Opsimaths

Each answer has the name of a Scottish Island (or the sound of the name) somewhere within it

1.

With a gold medal in 2004, three gold medals in 2008 and two gold medals in 2012, he is the most successful Olympic cyclist of all time.  Who is he?

2.

This group released their eponymous first album in 1979 and gave their final performance in 1995. The initial line-up included the classical guitarist John Williams, the guitarist and tuba player Herbie Flowers, and the percussionist Tristan Fry. What is the name of the band?

3.

The main characters in Jerome K. Jerome’s Three Men in a Boat are George, Jerome or J., the fox terrier Montmorency, and who?

4.

Jazz singer and art critic George Melly wrote three autobiographical volumes. Owning Up and Scouse Mouse were two. What was the 1977 volume, dealing with his life in the navy, called?

5.

Which geological period extends from about 200 million years ago, to about 145 million years ago, and is named after a range of mountains within the European Alps?

6.

These popular Easter gifts were made from 1885 to 1917, of precious metals or hard stones, decorated with enamel and gem stones.  Most were miniatures.  57 of the 65 large ones survive.  What are they?

7.

In film titles, what word connects Creatures in 2013, a Mind in 2001 and a Laundrette in 1985?

8.

What is the county town of County Westmeath in Ireland?

Sp1

The radio comedy show Educating Archie (1950 – 1958), starred Archie Andrews and Peter Brough.  At its peak, it had 15 million listeners.  What sort of performer was Peter Brough?

Sp2

Who was President of of Haiti from 1957 until his death in 1971?  (answer needs to include his nickname)

ROUND 8 - Hidden theme from Ethel Rodin

1.

What is the name of the 100 million selling physics-based smartphone app where the objective is to feed a little green monster (Om Nom) by using swipes of the finger and various on-screen objects such as floating bubbles and bellows to control the drop of a piece of candy?

2.

What is the name of the 100 million selling smartphone app where the player controls a character moments after stealing an ancient idol?  The object is to get as far as possible by avoiding randomly generated obstacles.  The longer a session gets, the faster the character goes and the more frequent the obstacles become, requiring quicker and quicker reflexes to stay alive - all the time being pursued by three demonic monkeys. 

3.

What is the name of the 1964 cult classic novel by Hubert Selby Jr, which was the subject of a series of trials, which ultimately led to a change in the UK censorship laws?

4.

What is the name of the 1966 film originally meant to be a Jules Verne inspired adventure tale?  The film abandoned all but the concept of miniaturization and added a Cold War element.  It stars Raquel Welch and Donald Pleasance.

5.

Which challenging Radio 4 programme, first broadcast in 1947, has been presented by World at One presenters Nick Clarke and Gordon Clough (amongst others)?

6.

What is the name of the BBC Radio 4 current affairs programme, first broadcast in 1970 and currently broadcast at 8.30pm on Monday evenings?  It ‘examines the ideas and forces which shape public policy in Britain and abroad’ and is presented by distinguished writers, journalists and academics.

7.

Which song from Snow White does Private Pike parody in the classic episode of Dad’s Army, immediately prior to "Vot is your name?", "Don’t tell him Pike!"?

8.

Which song, recorded by a Swedish band and subsequently featured prominently in the musical Rock of Ages has become a staple anthem introducing teams and sports stars around the world.  VH1 and Blender magazine included it at 16 on a list of the ‘Most Awesomely Bad Songs...Ever’.

Sp.

What was the full name of the second Terminator film?

Tiebreakers

1.

How many do you get if you add the following together:

• the Muses in Greek mythology

• the number of people released in the storming of the Bastille in 1789

• the number of operas composed by Beethoven?

2.

3.

ROUND 1 - Pairs from The Opsimaths

1.

What did Liverpool FC steal from Woolwich Arsenal in 1906?

The name ‘Kop’

(Arsenal were the first team to use the name)

2.

What is the first line of The Celtic Song, a pastiche of which is sung by Everton fans before each home match?

(or)

(accept any answer reasonably near to either of these)

3.

Henry IV was also called Bolingbroke, having been born in the castle of that name.  In which county is Bolingbroke Castle located?

Lincolnshire

4.

In which Iraqi town were both Saladin (in 1138) and Saddam Hussein (in 1937) born?

Tikrit

5.

What term, derived from the Latin for 'blossom of the wild pomegranate', describes a short pillar or post supporting the handrail of a flight of stairs?

(accept Balustrade - it is a series of balusters)

6.

One of the curses of modern British city streets, what is a ‘Chugger’?

Someone who tries to sign you up for some form of charity

(e.g. paying £10 per month etc. - it's short for ‘Charity Mugger’; accept any reasonably close description)

7.

In the 1920s the largest building in Britain was in Cardington, Bedfordshire.  What was constructed in the building?

(which crashed in France on its way to the first Imperial Conference in India)

8.

It's in Denver and, at 16,000 feet long, is the longest in North America.  What is it?

(Commercial) Airport Runway

Sp1

In the week Maggie Thatcher died, Ding Dong! The Witch is Dead reached number two in the music charts.  What was number one?  Name either the song or the band.

Duke Dumont and A*M*E

Sp2

Name the rival song or the group that sang it, which entered the charts at 35.  It was originally released in 1979.

Notsensibles

ROUND 2 - ‘Mayday’ from I Blame Smoke Fairies

1.

Where, if you were up early enough this morning, could you have heard the Hymnus Eucharisticus being sung?

(accept anything reasonably close, but not just Oxford)

2.

Today in Padstow, Minehead, and some other towns you may have seen a Tourney a Sieve or a Mast.  What are they?

(or ‘Obby ‘Oss)

3.

What festival has been celebrated today in Germany, The Netherlands, The Czech Republic and Sweden amongst others?

4.

In Ireland, Scotland and The Isle of Man, the same festival has been celebrated under a different name.  What is it called?

Beltane

5.

Nineteen years ago today millions of TV viewers witnessed the death of one of the most famous people in the world.  Who?

(during the San Marino Grand Prix)

6.

On this day 244 years ago a great British hero was born though not in Great Britain.  Who?

(born in Dublin)

7.

On this day over 300 years ago something momentous was brought into being that may not last for more than another two years.  What?

(which was brought about by the Act of Union on May 1st 1707)

8.

What grew by two-thirds, nine years ago today?

(which went from 15 to 25 members on May 1st 2004)

Sp1

Born Seattle 1st May 1939, once romantically involved with Stephen Stills, credited with bringing the music of Leonard Cohen (amongst others) to public attention, sang Amazing Grace and Chelsea Morning at Bill Clinton’s first inauguration and her performance of one of Stephen Sondheim’s most famous songs is widely believed to be responsible for his winning a Grammy for the song.

(the Sondheim song was Send In The Clowns)

Sp2

Born Srinagar 1st May 1946, once romantically involved with an alter ego of William Roache, a Fellow of The Royal Geographical Society, responsible for giving a government minister one of the most embarrassing five minutes on live TV in recent years when she ambushed him in 2009.

(the unfortunate minister was Phil Woolas whom she ran rings around over the issue of Gurkha rights)

ROUND 3 - 'Endings' from Albert

1.

In 2010 Jimi Heselden was, ironically, killed while using a product made by his own company.  What is the product?

A Segway Motorised Scooter

2.

Which modern Revolutionary leader's last words are said to have been "I don't want to die. Please don't let me die"?

Hugo Chavez

3.

They broadcast a joke to the Germans which was so funny that the German soldiers laughed themselves to death

4.

Which 20th Century British Prime Minister died on a voyage to South America shortly after leaving office?

(in 1937)

5.

Which 19th Century British Prime Minister holds the record for the shortest time in office?

(died after 119 days in office in 1827)

6.

Only two American Presidents have pre deceased their own fathers. Name one of them.

(either)

Warren Harding

(or)

John F. Kennedy

7.

Which Archbishop was shot while saying Mass in 1974?

(in El Salvador)

8.

In which Shakespeare play does a character utter the line "Lets kill all the lawyers"?

(Wat Tyler says it in Henry Sixth Part 2 but no need to say Part 2)

Sp.

On Sunday April 14th before Mrs Thatcher's funeral and the announcement of his own retirement, Britain's greatest Olympic cyclist, Sir Chris Hoy, received hundreds of abusive tweets.  Why?

(Chris Foy made a number of controversial decisions in the FA Cup Semi Final between Manchester City and Chelsea, which had been played that day)

ROUND 4 - Hidden Theme from The Men They Couldn't Hang

1.

In which 1941 film did Roddy MacDowell play Huw Morgan, the youngest son of a miner, while Walter Pidgeon played Mr Gruffydd, the local Methodist preacher?

2.

Which single of 1980 has the following opening lines “I’m no good at chatting up I always get rebuffed. Enough to drive a man to drink I don’t do no washing up”?

You Will Always Find Me in the Kitchen at Parties

3.

Which venue, home to the San Francisco 49ers, was the scene of the Beatles final commercial public concert on 29th of August 1966?

Candlestick Park

4.

What is the title of the matchday magazine of the club whose first ever victory in a Football League game occurred on the first of September 2007 when they beat Lincoln City at their Victoria Road stadium?

The Dagger

5.

What culinary innovation occurred around 1860 when Frenchman Jean Naigeon experimented with a long established recipe by substituting the juice of not fully ripened grapes for vinegar, and mixed it to a paste with the crushed seeds of the plant brassica juncea, water, salt and lemon juice?

Dijon Mustard

6.

When Clara and the Prince, recently transformed from being a nutcracker, travelled overseas to the Land of Sweets, who did they find ruling there in the prince’s absence?

Sugar Plum Fairy

7.

In which London thoroughfare will you find The Cenotaph memorial?

Whitehall

8.

(Hurry this offer must end soon!  Q8 is yet another two for the price of one special offer.)

Published in 1887, what was the title of the first novel to feature Sherlock Holmes?

A Study in Scarlet

Sp.

Which Manchester building constructed throughout the 1890s to the Gothic revival design of Basil Champneys opened its doors to the public on the 1st of January 1900?

John Rylands Library

ROUND 5 - Pairs from 'Knocked Out United' (i.e. a pot pourri of questions from all the teams)

1.

Which member of Thatcher’s cabinet shares their name with an actor who featured in all six Star Wars films?

(R2D2)

2.

Which member of Thatcher’s cabinet shares their name with one of the foremost art critics of their generation?  He published books from 1928 -1980, but is best remembered for defining the genre of high production value documentary.

Kenneth Clark(e)

3.

Alan of Walsingham’s Octagon Tower is a noted and unusual feature of which English Cathedral?

Ely

4.

Which English designer, artist and poet lived in The Red House in Bexleyheath, now a National Trust property, from its completion in 1860 until 1865?

William Morris

5.

What is the alternative popular name for Gladioli?

Sword Lilies

6.

Who wrote the play The Rose Tattoo?

Tennessee Williams

7.

What was the first name of Felix Mendelssohn’s elder sister, herself a pianist and composer of some renown?

Fanny

8.

What was the first name of Robert Schumann’s wife, herself a virtuoso pianist and composer of some renown?

Clara

Sp1

Why are many beers, including Stella, Guinness and Greene King IPA strictly speaking not vegetarian?

(3-12 ppm)

Sp2

Why are many cheeses, and particularly Gran Padano, Gorgonzola and Parmesan, strictly speaking not vegetarian?

(5-15 ppm; those three cheeses are DOCG -meaning they have to use traditional methods)

ROUND 6 - 'Popes' from The History Men

According to the prophecies of the 12^th century St Malachy of Armagh, the present pontiff will be the last, following which Rome will be destroyed and the Apocalypse begin.

To mark this auspicious occasion the setters thought they’d better get a round in on popes before the fire and brimstone starts.

1.

Sir Isaac Newton

2.

Once described by Richard Nixon as "the most dangerous man in America" who had the nickname ‘The Pope of Dope’?

3.

Which English actor, who died in 1990, played the role of the warrior Pope Julius II in the Michelangelo 1965 biopic The Agony and the Ecstasy?

Rex Harrison

4.

Which English actor, who died in 2000, played the role of the worldly wise Pope Innocent III in the Francis of Assisi 1972 biopic Brother Sun, Sister Moon?

Alec Guinness

5.

What is the subject of former Ministry of Defence officer Nick Pope’s highly acclaimed non-fiction 1999 book Open Skies, Closed Minds?

The UFO phenomenon

6.

Jim Pope is best remembered as a voice-over announcer for which long running series from 1972 until his death in 2001?

University Challenge

7.

In which novel of 1904 is George Arthur Rose unexpectedly elected pope but after a brief reign is assassinated by an Ulsterman?

Hadrian VII

8.

Robbie Coltrane played Giuseppe Albinizi who is unexpectedly elected pope in the 1991 comedy film The Pope Must Die. This title was thought too risqué for the American market.  Under what title was the film released there?

The Pope Must Diet

Sp.

Which actor plays the licentious and scheming Pope Alexander VI in the current Showtime TV series The Borgias?

Jeremy Irons

ROUND 7 - 'Scottish Islands' from The Opsimaths

Each answer has the name of a Scottish Island (or the sound of the name) somewhere within it

1.

With a gold medal in 2004, three gold medals in 2008 and two gold medals in 2012, he is the most successful Olympic cyclist of all time.  Who is he?

Chris Hoy

2.

This group released their eponymous first album in 1979 and gave their final performance in 1995. The initial line-up included the classical guitarist John Williams, the guitarist and tuba player Herbie Flowers, and the percussionist Tristan Fry. What is the name of the band?

3.

The main characters in Jerome K. Jerome’s Three Men in a Boat are George, Jerome or J., the fox terrier Montmorency, and who?

4.

Jazz singer and art critic George Melly wrote three autobiographical volumes. Owning Up and Scouse Mouse were two. What was the 1977 volume, dealing with his life in the navy, called?

Rum, Bum and Concertina

5.

Which geological period extends from about 200 million years ago, to about 145 million years ago, and is named after a range of mountains within the European Alps?

Jurassic

6.

These popular Easter gifts were made from 1885 to 1917, of precious metals or hard stones, decorated with enamel and gem stones.  Most were miniatures.  57 of the 65 large ones survive.  What are they?

Fabergé Eggs

7.

In film titles, what word connects Creatures in 2013, a Mind in 2001 and a Laundrette in 1985?

(Beautiful Creatures, A Beautiful Mind, My Beautiful Laundrette)

8.

What is the county town of County Westmeath in Ireland?

Mullingar

Sp1

The radio comedy show Educating Archie (1950 – 1958), starred Archie Andrews and Peter Brough.  At its peak, it had 15 million listeners.  What sort of performer was Peter Brough?

(Archie was his dummy)

Sp2

Who was President of of Haiti from 1957 until his death in 1971?  (answer needs to include his nickname)

‘Papa Doc’ Duvalier

ROUND 8 - Hidden theme from Ethel Rodin

1.

What is the name of the 100 million selling physics-based smartphone app where the objective is to feed a little green monster (Om Nom) by using swipes of the finger and various on-screen objects such as floating bubbles and bellows to control the drop of a piece of candy?

Cut the Rope

2.

What is the name of the 100 million selling smartphone app where the player controls a character moments after stealing an ancient idol?  The object is to get as far as possible by avoiding randomly generated obstacles.  The longer a session gets, the faster the character goes and the more frequent the obstacles become, requiring quicker and quicker reflexes to stay alive - all the time being pursued by three demonic monkeys. 

3.

What is the name of the 1964 cult classic novel by Hubert Selby Jr, which was the subject of a series of trials, which ultimately led to a change in the UK censorship laws?

Last Exit to Brooklyn

4.

What is the name of the 1966 film originally meant to be a Jules Verne inspired adventure tale?  The film abandoned all but the concept of miniaturization and added a Cold War element.  It stars Raquel Welch and Donald Pleasance.

Fantastic Voyage

5.

Which challenging Radio 4 programme, first broadcast in 1947, has been presented by World at One presenters Nick Clarke and Gordon Clough (amongst others)?

Round Britain Quiz

6.

What is the name of the BBC Radio 4 current affairs programme, first broadcast in 1970 and currently broadcast at 8.30pm on Monday evenings?  It ‘examines the ideas and forces which shape public policy in Britain and abroad’ and is presented by distinguished writers, journalists and academics.

Analysis

7.

Which song from Snow White does Private Pike parody in the classic episode of Dad’s Army, immediately prior to "Vot is your name?", "Don’t tell him Pike!"?

Whistle While You Work

8.

Which song, recorded by a Swedish band and subsequently featured prominently in the musical Rock of Ages has become a staple anthem introducing teams and sports stars around the world.  VH1 and Blender magazine included it at 16 on a list of the ‘Most Awesomely Bad Songs...Ever’.

(by Europe)

Sp.

What was the full name of the second Terminator film?

Terminator 2: The Last Judgment

Tiebreakers

1.

How many do you get if you add the following together:

• the Muses in Greek mythology

• the number of people released in the storming of the Bastille in 1789

• the number of operas composed by Beethoven?

17 (9+7+1)

2.

3.

92