ROUND 1

5 consecutive answers are linked in some way

1.

According to the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch, what are the five most commonly-seen species of bird in British gardens?

2.

Name the three rivers represented by the three diagonal stripes on the coat-of-arms of the City of Manchester.

3.

Which former member of The League of Gentlemen co-writes the BBC series Sherlock and also appears in it as Mycroft Holmes?

4.

Which Australian city and seaport stands at the mouth of the River Derwent?

5.

Name the three licensed (horse) racecourses located inside the M25 motorway.

6.

In addition to the Roman numerals for 1914 and 1919, what are the only three words inscribed on the Cenotaph in Whitehall?

7.

What is the Fahrenheit equivalent of -10 ˚C?

8.

Name the critically-acclaimed album that was released just before Christmas 1979 and whose title track featured prominently in the build-up to the 2012 Olympics.  The album’s cover design was heavily influenced Elvis Presley’s debut album and features a photograph that was named by Q magazine in 2002 as "the best rock and roll photograph of all time".

9.

Which British group had their first UK chart hit in 1981 and the first of their two UK number ones in 1983?  Their most recent UK top ten hit was (Reach Up for the) Sunrise in 2004.

10.

What was Cheryl Cole’s maiden name?

11.

Corresponding today to Kuwait, much of Iraq and small parts of Syria, Iran and Turkey, what was the name of the ancient region between the rivers Tigris and Euphrates?

12.

In Da Vinci’s painting The Last Supper, who is the only character to have his elbows on the table?

13.

Which major European brewery also owns the brands Moretti, Murphy’s, Tiger Beer, Cruzcampo, McEwan’s and John Smith’s?

14.

Generally regarded as the first ‘Bond Girl’, what is the name of the character played by Ursula Andress in Dr No?

15.

Which musical theatre revue by Kenneth Tynan features sketches by, amongst others, Samuel Beckett and John Lennon? Hugely controversial at the time, mainly due to on-stage nudity, it had its New York premiere in 1969 and opened in London in 1970.

16.

Name this town.  Named after a nineteenth century British Secretary of State for War it replaced the previous capital, Port Louis, in 1845.  It has a population of just over 2,000 and is twinned with Whitby.  In January 1988 it recorded its highest-ever temperature of 24.2ºC.

17.

What was the surname of the players who appeared in the final of the World Snooker Championship in 1940, the only time it has ever been contested by two brothers?

18.

Cuban-American rapper Armando Christian Pérez has had UK number one hits with Give Me Everything in 2011 and Timber last year.  By which name is he better known?  He shares this name with a notorious Longsight gang, whose leaders were given prison sentences totalling more than 170 years in 2006.

19.

Where is the northern terminus of the Manchester Metrolink line that begins in East Didsbury?

20.

According to Genesis Chapter 7 Verse 2, how many pairs of each clean animal and bird did Noah take on to the Ark?

21.

Of which animals would you have an irrational fear if you suffered from ophidiophobia? 

22.

To which island group would you travel to visit the grave of former Prime Minister Harold Wilson? 

23.

Brantwood, the former country home of John Ruskin, is on the eastern shore of which of the lakes in the Lake District?

24.

Which Lake District mountain has recently been put up for sale by its owner, the Earl of Lonsdale?

25.

Developed during the 1960s and now accounting for over 80% of UK production, the Chorleywood process is used to manufacture what?

ROUND 2

5 consecutive answers are linked in some way

1.

Last month Channel 5 revealed the results of a poll to find the nation's best-loved double acts.  Can you name the Top 5?

2.

Earlier this year, which local musician said: “Giving Juan Mata to David Moyes is like giving a smartphone to your Nan”?

3.

Who is this boxer who was murdered in Jamaica in 2006?  In December 1981 he became the last man to have a professional fight against Muhammad Ali.

4.

In addition to being a flag, what is a Serbian Tricolour?

5.

Three seaside resorts in Britain still have a Butlins holiday camp.  Can you name them?

6.

Harper Adams University in Shropshire specialises in training people for careers in which industry?

7.

Which member of the fox family is also the national emblem of Algeria and the nickname of the country’s football team?

8.

Which sporting charity was founded in July 1950 by a group of actors?  Past Presidents include Tommy Trinder, Terry Wogan, Harry Secombe, Ronnie Corbett, Chris Tarrant and Nicholas Parsons.  It is currently headed by The Duke of Edinburgh who is titled Patron and Twelfth Man.

9.

With a population of just under a quarter of a million which is the 26th largest city in the UK?  It began life as a ninth century Viking trading settlement and in the nineteenth century became a centre of the copper trade, earning it the nickname ‘Copperopolis’.  It was granted city status in 1969, to mark the investiture of Charles as the new Prince of Wales.

10.

Which Kent town, situated on the River Medway, has been represented in Parliament by, amongst others, Ann Widdecombe and Benjamin Disraeli?

11.

What name is traditionally given to the Thursday of Royal Ascot week in June?

12.

Who is the lead character in the 2013 film that reaches its climax on Cromer Pier?

13.

To be found throughout Germany, trümmerberg are artificial hills made from what? 

14.

Which duo popularised the ‘Who’s on First’ baseball comedy routine?

15.

The town of Brodick (population c600) is the largest settlement on which Scottish island?

16.

Named after the American palaeontologist who discovered it, what name has been given to the Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton on display at Manchester Museum? 

17.

Which sport’s governing body, the FIH, announced earlier this year that matches will now be played over four 15-minute quarters, rather than the two halves of 35 minutes used previously.

18.

What are the three principal fruit ingredients in Vimto?

19.

The Lego product containing the most pieces (5922) was released in 2008.  Of which world landmark is it a scale representation?

20.

The civilian awards for bravery, the George Cross and the George Medal, are named after which British king?

21.

James Ellis, who sadly passed away earlier this year, played which character in Z Cars from 1962 to 1978?

22.

At the 1969 FA Cup Final, which Manchester City player, on being introduced to guest-of-honour Princess Anne, said “give my regards to your Mum and Dad”? 

23.

In the game of croquet, what name do Americans give to what we refer to as the ‘hoops’?  This name is more commonly associated with a sport in which most Americans have no interest.

24.

At Cricket’s World Twenty20 Championship played in March and April this year, which was the only country to suffer the indignity of losing to England?

25.

On which BBC TV programme do competitors choose from categories that include twisted flax, horned viper or water?

ROUND 3

5 consecutive answers are linked in some way

1.

Who is this?

2.

Who is this?

3.

Which  game is this?

4.

Which Spanish Costa?

5.

February storm damage to the railway line in which Devon town?

6.

Who and with which band did he top the charts?

7.

The CEO of which American multi-national corporation?

8.

Which chemical element?

9.

Which Nobel prize-winning scientist and former resident of Withington?

10.

Which philosopher, who once lived on Palatine Road?

11.

Who is her more famous brother?

12.

Who is her more famous mother?

13.

Name either of his famous parents.

14.

Who is her famous boyfriend?

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

ROUND 4

5 consecutive answers are linked in some way

1.

As of 31 March 2014, which five characters have appeared in the most episodes of Coronation Street?

2.

Which local gangster brought parts of Manchester city centre to a standstill last week when he spent several hours sitting on the Big Wheel in his latest protest against Greater Manchester Police?

3.

Which three institutions were founded in this building?

4.

Arising from an unfortunate anagram of his name, which football manager is often disparagingly referred to by football supporters as ‘Colin’?

5.

After an absence of more than ten years the Channel 4 quiz show Fifteen to One has recently returned to our screens.  Who is the new show’s presenter and who was the original host from 1988 to 2003?

6.

Jaime and Lois are two acting sisters.  Who is their father, also a British actor?

7.

Although now produced by chemical means, which brilliant red pigment was originally produced by grinding the mineral cinnabar?Also known as ‘Chinese Red’, its name is derived from the Latin, via Old French, for ‘little worm’.

8.

Who is this British scriptwriter, who died in 1998?  He wrote for, amongst others, Peter Sellers, Morecambe & Wise, Eric Sykes and Frankie Howerd, but is probably best known as the creator of Alf Garnett.

9.

Which Conservative MP held the office of Prime Minister from 1902 to 1905?  As Foreign Secretary he famously wrote a letter in 1917, confirming the Government’s support for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine.

10.

What sort of animal is this?  A member of the Mustelidae (or weasel) family, they are extremely rare in England and Wales but are found in larger numbers in Scotland.

11.

Which Cumbrian town’s annual crab fair features the World Gurning Championships?

12.

What is the name of the saloon that features in the 1953 film Calamity Jane starring Doris Day?  It was also the name of a nightclub in Wythenshawe that opened in 1968 and burnt down in 1990.

13.

On this day in 1929 which Yorkshire and England player made cricket history by taking his 4000th first class wicket, a feat that has yet to be surpassed?

14.

The brilliantly-named Goodluck Jonathan is President of which African country?

15.

In a recently-finished BBC TV series, to which country did Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon take a trip?

16.

The cover of which multi-platinum-selling album of 2008 features this famous painting?  (Title and artist required)

For two bonus points give the title of the painting and its artist.

17.

This is George who led the Labour Party from 1932-35.  Who is his famous daughter, who was made a Dame in this year’s New Year’s honours list?

18.

Which European king was the most famous son of Pepin the Short and Bertrada of Laon?

19.

What sort of bird is this?  It is the only member of the Bunting family found in the UK that does not have the word ‘bunting’ in its name.

20.

In which Italian city could you visit the Ponte Vecchio and which river does it span?

21.

Who became the first German Field Marshal ever to be captured alive when his Sixth Army surrendered at Stalingrad in 1943?

22.

Which artist created the 1963 silkscreen painting Eight Elvises, which was sold at auction for $100 million in 2008?

23.

Which British golfer was sometimes referred to, especially in America, by the uncomplimentary nickname 'Mrs Doubtfire'?

24.

Which bird has the Latin name Dromaius novaehollandiae?

25.

Which 1980s TV sitcom that was written by Rising Damp creator Eric Chappell, has been revived as a stage show that is currently touring the UK?  Its cast includes three of the original stars, with Carol Royle being brought in to fill the fourth leading role.

ROUND 1

5 consecutive answers are linked in some way

1.

According to the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch, what are the five most commonly-seen species of bird in British gardens?

House sparrow, Blue tit, Starling, Blackbird and Woodpigeon

2.

Name the three rivers represented by the three diagonal stripes on the coat-of-arms of the City of Manchester.

Irk, Irwell and Medlock

3.

Which former member of The League of Gentlemen co-writes the BBC series Sherlock and also appears in it as Mycroft Holmes?

Mark Gatiss

4.

Which Australian city and seaport stands at the mouth of the River Derwent?

Hobart

5.

Name the three licensed (horse) racecourses located inside the M25 motorway.

Epsom, Kempton Park and Sandown Park

6.

In addition to the Roman numerals for 1914 and 1919, what are the only three words inscribed on the Cenotaph in Whitehall?

'The Glorious Dead'

7.

What is the Fahrenheit equivalent of -10 ˚C?

14 ˚F

8.

Name the critically-acclaimed album that was released just before Christmas 1979 and whose title track featured prominently in the build-up to the 2012 Olympics.  The album’s cover design was heavily influenced Elvis Presley’s debut album and features a photograph that was named by Q magazine in 2002 as "the best rock and roll photograph of all time".

London Calling

(by The Clash)

9.

Which British group had their first UK chart hit in 1981 and the first of their two UK number ones in 1983?  Their most recent UK top ten hit was (Reach Up for the) Sunrise in 2004.

Duran Duran

10.

What was Cheryl Cole’s maiden name?

Tweedy

11.

Corresponding today to Kuwait, much of Iraq and small parts of Syria, Iran and Turkey, what was the name of the ancient region between the rivers Tigris and Euphrates?

Mesopotamia

12.

In Da Vinci’s painting The Last Supper, who is the only character to have his elbows on the table?

Judas Iscariot

13.

Which major European brewery also owns the brands Moretti, Murphy’s, Tiger Beer, Cruzcampo, McEwan’s and John Smith’s?

Heineken

14.

Generally regarded as the first ‘Bond Girl’, what is the name of the character played by Ursula Andress in Dr No?

Honey Ryder

15.

Which musical theatre revue by Kenneth Tynan features sketches by, amongst others, Samuel Beckett and John Lennon? Hugely controversial at the time, mainly due to on-stage nudity, it had its New York premiere in 1969 and opened in London in 1970.

Oh! Calcutta!

16.

Name this town.  Named after a nineteenth century British Secretary of State for War it replaced the previous capital, Port Louis, in 1845.  It has a population of just over 2,000 and is twinned with Whitby.  In January 1988 it recorded its highest-ever temperature of 24.2ºC.

(Port) Stanley

17.

What was the surname of the players who appeared in the final of the World Snooker Championship in 1940, the only time it has ever been contested by two brothers?

Davis

(Joe and Fred)

18.

Cuban-American rapper Armando Christian Pérez has had UK number one hits with Give Me Everything in 2011 and Timber last year.  By which name is he better known?  He shares this name with a notorious Longsight gang, whose leaders were given prison sentences totalling more than 170 years in 2006.

Pitbull

19.

Where is the northern terminus of the Manchester Metrolink line that begins in East Didsbury?

Rochdale 

20.

According to Genesis Chapter 7 Verse 2, how many pairs of each clean animal and bird did Noah take on to the Ark?

Seven

21.

Of which animals would you have an irrational fear if you suffered from ophidiophobia? 

Snakes

22.

To which island group would you travel to visit the grave of former Prime Minister Harold Wilson? 

Isles of Scilly

23.

Brantwood, the former country home of John Ruskin, is on the eastern shore of which of the lakes in the Lake District?

Coniston

24.

Which Lake District mountain has recently been put up for sale by its owner, the Earl of Lonsdale?

Blencathra

(or Saddleback)

25.

Developed during the 1960s and now accounting for over 80% of UK production, the Chorleywood process is used to manufacture what?

Bread

ROUND 2

5 consecutive answers are linked in some way

1.

Last month Channel 5 revealed the results of a poll to find the nation's best-loved double acts.  Can you name the Top 5?

2.

Earlier this year, which local musician said: “Giving Juan Mata to David Moyes is like giving a smartphone to your Nan”?

Noel Gallagher

3.

Who is this boxer who was murdered in Jamaica in 2006?  In December 1981 he became the last man to have a professional fight against Muhammad Ali.

Trevor Berbick

4.

In addition to being a flag, what is a Serbian Tricolour?

A breed of dog

5.

Three seaside resorts in Britain still have a Butlins holiday camp.  Can you name them?

Bognor Regis,

Minehead,

Skegness

6.

Harper Adams University in Shropshire specialises in training people for careers in which industry?

Farming

(or agriculture /food)

7.

Which member of the fox family is also the national emblem of Algeria and the nickname of the country’s football team?

Fennec

8.

Which sporting charity was founded in July 1950 by a group of actors?  Past Presidents include Tommy Trinder, Terry Wogan, Harry Secombe, Ronnie Corbett, Chris Tarrant and Nicholas Parsons.  It is currently headed by The Duke of Edinburgh who is titled Patron and Twelfth Man.

Lord’s Taverners

9.

With a population of just under a quarter of a million which is the 26th largest city in the UK?  It began life as a ninth century Viking trading settlement and in the nineteenth century became a centre of the copper trade, earning it the nickname ‘Copperopolis’.  It was granted city status in 1969, to mark the investiture of Charles as the new Prince of Wales.

Swansea

10.

Which Kent town, situated on the River Medway, has been represented in Parliament by, amongst others, Ann Widdecombe and Benjamin Disraeli?

Maidstone

11.

What name is traditionally given to the Thursday of Royal Ascot week in June?

Ladies’ Day

12.

Who is the lead character in the 2013 film that reaches its climax on Cromer Pier?

Alan Partridge

13.

To be found throughout Germany, trümmerberg are artificial hills made from what? 

Rubble from World War II air raids

14.

Which duo popularised the ‘Who’s on First’ baseball comedy routine?

Abbott and Costello

15.

The town of Brodick (population c600) is the largest settlement on which Scottish island?

Arran

16.

Named after the American palaeontologist who discovered it, what name has been given to the Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton on display at Manchester Museum? 

Stan

17.

Which sport’s governing body, the FIH, announced earlier this year that matches will now be played over four 15-minute quarters, rather than the two halves of 35 minutes used previously.

Hockey

18.

What are the three principal fruit ingredients in Vimto?

Grapes, Blackcurrants and Raspberries

19.

The Lego product containing the most pieces (5922) was released in 2008.  Of which world landmark is it a scale representation?

Taj Mahal

20.

The civilian awards for bravery, the George Cross and the George Medal, are named after which British king?

George VI

21.

James Ellis, who sadly passed away earlier this year, played which character in Z Cars from 1962 to 1978?

Bert Lynch

22.

At the 1969 FA Cup Final, which Manchester City player, on being introduced to guest-of-honour Princess Anne, said “give my regards to your Mum and Dad”? 

Tony Coleman

23.

In the game of croquet, what name do Americans give to what we refer to as the ‘hoops’?  This name is more commonly associated with a sport in which most Americans have no interest.

Wickets

24.

At Cricket’s World Twenty20 Championship played in March and April this year, which was the only country to suffer the indignity of losing to England?

Sri Lanka

25.

On which BBC TV programme do competitors choose from categories that include twisted flax, horned viper or water?

Only Connect

ROUND 3

1.

Who is this?

Manuel Pellegrini

2.

Who is this?

Luis Suarez

3.

Which  game is this?

Candy Crush

(by Saga)

4.

Which Spanish Costa?

Costa de la Luz

5.

February storm damage to the railway line in which Devon town?

Dawlish

6.

Who and with which band did he top the charts?

Johnny Fingers of the Boomtown Rats

(real name John Moylett)

7.

The CEO of which American multi-national corporation?

Apple

8.

Which chemical element?

Sulphur

9.

Which Nobel prize-winning scientist and former resident of Withington?

Ernest (Lord) Rutherford

10.

Which philosopher, who once lived on Palatine Road?

Ludwig Wittgenstein

11.

Who is her more famous brother?

Boris Johnson

12.

Who is her more famous mother?

Diana Rigg

13.

Name either of his famous parents.

(either)

David

(or)

Victoria Beckham

(it's Brooklyn Beckham)

14.

Who is her famous boyfriend?

Andy Murray

15.

Nick Clegg

16.

Characters in A Midsummer Night’s Dream

(Bottom; Flute; Helena;   Moth)

17.

TV characters played by David Jason

(Del Trotter - Only Fools and Horses, picture is Del Shannon; Blanco Webb - Porridge; Peter Barnes - A Sharp Intake of Breath;  Jack Frost - A Touch of Frost, picture is Jack Frost from 2012 animated film Rise of the Guardians)

18.

UK TV Channels

(Yesterday; Dave; Challenge;  Viva)

19.

Thames/London Bridges

(Albert; Chelsea; Barnes;  Kew/Queue)

20.

Characters in Are You Being Served?

(Brahms; Peacock; Grace; Lucas)

21.

Meerkats

(from Compare the Meerkat/Market....

Sergei Eisenstein, film director; Peter Bogdanovich film director; Aleksandr Kolarov; pyramid from the Maya civilisation of Central America)

22.

All can be followed by the word ‘chair’

(Deck; Bath; Dentist; Wheel)

23.

Surnames of people who married one of the Queen’s children

(Spencer, Ferguson, Phillips, Rhys-Jones)

24.

Midsommer Murder characters

(‘sidekicks’ to Tom/John Barnaby....
Scott, Jones, Troy, Nelson)

25.

All are reigning European kings

(Willem-Alexander of the  Netherlands;

Harald V of Norway;

Philippe of Belgium;

Carl Gustaf XVI of Sweden)

ROUND 4

5 consecutive answers are linked in some way

1.

As of 31 March 2014, which five characters have appeared in the most episodes of Coronation Street?

2.

Which local gangster brought parts of Manchester city centre to a standstill last week when he spent several hours sitting on the Big Wheel in his latest protest against Greater Manchester Police?

Domenyk Noonan

(or Mr Lattlay-Fottfoy)

3.

Which three institutions were founded in this building?

4.

Arising from an unfortunate anagram of his name, which football manager is often disparagingly referred to by football supporters as ‘Colin’?

Neil Warnock

5.

After an absence of more than ten years the Channel 4 quiz show Fifteen to One has recently returned to our screens.  Who is the new show’s presenter and who was the original host from 1988 to 2003?

Sandi Toksvig and William G Stewart

6.

Jaime and Lois are two acting sisters.  Who is their father, also a British actor?

Ray Winstone

7.

Although now produced by chemical means, which brilliant red pigment was originally produced by grinding the mineral cinnabar?  Also known as ‘Chinese Red’, its name is derived from the Latin, via Old French, for ‘little worm’.

Vermillion

8.

Who is this British scriptwriter, who died in 1998?  He wrote for, amongst others, Peter Sellers, Morecambe & Wise, Eric Sykes and Frankie Howerd, but is probably best known as the creator of Alf Garnett.

9.

Which Conservative MP held the office of Prime Minister from 1902 to 1905?  As Foreign Secretary he famously wrote a letter in 1917, confirming the Government’s support for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine.

10.

What sort of animal is this?  A member of the Mustelidae (or weasel) family, they are extremely rare in England and Wales but are found in larger numbers in Scotland.

11.

Which Cumbrian town’s annual crab fair features the World Gurning Championships?

Egremont

12.

What is the name of the saloon that features in the 1953 film Calamity Jane starring Doris Day?  It was also the name of a nightclub in Wythenshawe that opened in 1968 and burnt down in 1990.

The Golden Garter

13.

On this day in 1929 which Yorkshire and England player made cricket history by taking his 4000th first class wicket, a feat that has yet to be surpassed?

Wilfred Rhodes

14.

The brilliantly-named Goodluck Jonathan is President of which African country?

Nigeria

15.

In a recently-finished BBC TV series, to which country did Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon take a trip?

Italy

16.

The cover of which multi-platinum-selling album of 2008 features this famous painting?  (Title and artist required)

For two bonus points give the title of the painting and its artist.

Viva la Vida by Coldplay

(and for the bonus points)

Liberty Leading the People by Eugène Delacroix

17.

This is George who led the Labour Party from 1932-35.  Who is his famous daughter, who was made a Dame in this year’s New Year’s honours list?

Angela Lansbury

18.

Which European king was the most famous son of Pepin the Short and Bertrada of Laon?

19.

What sort of bird is this?  It is the only member of the Bunting family found in the UK that does not have the word ‘bunting’ in its name.

20.

In which Italian city could you visit the Ponte Vecchio and which river does it span?

Florence, River Arno

21.

Who became the first German Field Marshal ever to be captured alive when his Sixth Army surrendered at Stalingrad in 1943?

Friedrich Paulus

22.

Which artist created the 1963 silkscreen painting Eight Elvises, which was sold at auction for $100 million in 2008?

Andy Warhol

23.

Which British golfer was sometimes referred to, especially in America, by the uncomplimentary nickname 'Mrs Doubtfire'?

Colin Montgomerie

24.

Which bird has the Latin name Dromaius novaehollandiae?

Emu

25.

Which 1980s TV sitcom that was written by Rising Damp creator Eric Chappell, has been revived as a stage show that is currently touring the UK?  Its cast includes three of the original stars, with Carol Royle being brought in to fill the fourth leading role.

Duty Free