1.

Four clubs have been in the Premiership for more than 20 seasons but less than the total 26 seasons the Premiership has been in existence. Name three of them.

2.

From which American Songbook classic by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart is the line “We'll go to Coney and eat baloney on a roll” taken?

3.

The Handmaid’s Tale, recently the subject of a critically acclaimed TV series, was based on the novel of the same name by Margaret Atwood - but in 2000 which was Atwood’s only book to have won the Booker Prize?

4.

In Stevenson’s book Treasure Island what is the name of the island where Captain Flint’s treasure is buried according to the map?

5.

Who is the current Editor of The Spectator?

6.

Of the 26 counties of the Republic of Ireland 16 are coastal and 10 land-locked. Which is the second largest of the coastal counties by area after Cork?

7.

What is the more commonly used name for a windhover?

8.

Who wrote the words and music for the song London Pride?

9.

In mathematics the name of which geometric shape is also the word for an ancient Greek musical instrument known to us as a ‘bull-roarer’?

10.

Lying to the north east of the Outer Hebridean island of Barra what is the name of the next inhabited island in the chain?  It is home to a unique breed of pony as well as the group of Scots who sought to ‘repatriate’ the whisky from the shipwreck in Compton Mackenzie’s book Whisky Galore.

11.

On the wall of the house at 33 Carrington Road, Portwood, Stockport there is a blue plaque. Which local celebrity, who was born in 1909 and died in 1995, does it mark?

12.

Which iconic building on the south bank of the Thames in London was acquired by the Liebig Extract of Meat Company in the 1920s as a cold store and largely rebuilt in an art deco style?

13.

 In physics whose law states that: “The force needed to extend or compress a spring by a certain distance is proportional to that distance.”?

14.

Whose birthday on 14 November is celebrated in India as Bal Divas (‘Children's Day’) in recognition of their lifelong passion and work for the welfare, education and development of children and young people?

15.

In 1956 Twycross Zoo in Leicestershire began providing perfomers for a TV advertising campaign. What product were they advertising?

16.

Two clubs whose names begin with the letter ‘B’ have been in the Premiership for just a single season (prior to Brighton and Hove Albion this season). Name both of them.

17.

From which American Songbook classic by Irving Berlin is the line “before the fiddlers have fled” taken?

18.

Two years before Margaret Atwood won the Booker Prize with The Blind Assassin the Booker Prize was won by a novel featuring the name of a European city. What was its title?

19.

What was to be found by the cross-shaped monument to Catherine of Aragon in Ampthill Park, at the precise spot touched by the tip of the monument's shadow at noon on the day of either the vernal or autumnal equinox?

20.

Who is the current Editor of The New Statesman?

21.

Of the 26 counties of the Republic of Ireland 16 are coastal and 10 land-locked. Which is by some way the largest of the land-locked counties by area?

22.

The sea bird known in Shetland and parts of Scotland as the bonxie is better known elsewhere by what name? 

23.

Which of Vaughan Williams’ symphonies is nicknamed The London Symphony? 

24.

In mathematics the name for which geometric shape is derived from the Greek name for a small table with four feet?

25.

Which is the largest of the so-called Bishop’s Isles (or Barra Isles) lying to the south of Barra in the Outer Hebrides? These days it is connected to Barra by causeway and is the only one of these islands still to be inhabited. 

26.

What is celebrated by the plaque on the wall of the house at 86 Palatine Road?

27.

What is the name of the Uruguayan city named after a reclusive priest that became famous worldwide for its association with processed meat products?

28.

Which 16th century Tudor financier gave his name to the law of economics which states that “Bad money drives out good”?

29.

What was the name of the leader of the All-India Muslim League from 1913 until Pakistan's independence on 14 August 1947?

30.

What was being advertised by the poster created in 1908 by artist John Hassall for the Great Northern Railways (GNR)?

This season marks the 40^th anniversary of the formation of the Withington Quiz League (WithQuiz).

1.

The plot of which 1996 film noir thriller is summarised in this description: “When retiring police Detective William Somerset (played by Morgan Freeman) tackles a final case with the aid of newly transferred David Mills (played by Brad Pitt), they discover a number of elaborate and grizzly murders. They soon realise they are dealing with a serial killer (played by Kevin Spacey).”?

2.

The launch of a Royal Navy battleship in 1906 was subsequently described by naval historians thus: “With the launch of a single ship the scales of naval power were reset overnight.” What was the name of this battleship?

3.

From which work is the song Die Moritat von Mackie Messer taken?

4.

Which celebrity won the second series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2004?

5.

What is the main subject of the stage musical, The Jersey Boys? 

6.

Which British coin lost its legal tender status in 1970 one year before decimalisation?

7.

What is the atomic number of hydrogen? 

8.

What is the name of the British rock band from Birkenhead, Merseyside, active since the mid-1980s, known for satirical, sardonic, and sometimes surreal songs? The group was formed by Nigel Blackwell and Neil Crossley?

9.

In 1699 what did Guru Gobind Singh – in summary – command Sikhs to wear at all times?

10.

Which amendment to the US Constitution dealt with the prohibition of alcoholic drinks?

ROUND 3 - WithQuiz format - The County Set'

Every answer contains the name of a UK county, past or present

Where an answer is the name of a person a correct answer will - with one exception - require a first name and surname

Occasionally the pictures are integral to the question but more often they serve as helpful background

1.

Who was the founder and lead singer of the 1970s group Mungo Jerry?

2.

Which Coronation Street character is played by Alan Halsall?

3.

In 1957 which song became the first of this man’s three UK number one singles?

4.

What was the name of the Royal Navy cruiser on which Lord Kitchener died? Whilst travelling to Russia in June 1916 it struck a mine and sank near the Orkneys, resulting in the deaths of more than 700 crew.

5.

Which former DJ at Piccadilly Radio and then Radio One was the last person to interview John Lennon?

6.

Who was the manager of the Scotland football team at the 1990 World Cup in Italy?

7.

Known for wearing a school uniform on stage despite being in his sixties, who is the lead guitarist of the rock band AC/DC?

8.

Known on stage as The Great Soprendo, what is the real name of the magician who was married for more than twenty years to the late Victoria Wood?

9.

With which 1970s television programme would you primarily associate this band?

10.

Formerly the principal conductor of Manchester’s Hallé Orchestra, who is the Musical Director of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra?

11.

Who is this Scottish journalist and TV presenter?

12.

Which BAFTA-winning British actress’s TV roles have included Yvonne Kolakowski in Clocking Off, Ruth Goddard in Where the Heart Is and Miss Audrey in The Paradise?  She also appeared as Mrs. Pike in last year’s Dad’s Army movie.

13.

What was the last Elvis Presley single to be released during his lifetime?  It topped the UK charts shortly after his death in August 1977.

14.

Known as The Phantom Major, which British soldier was the driving force behind the formation of the Special Air Service? (surname only is required)

15.

A former Chair of the Labour Party, who is the current MP for the Welsh constituency of Cynon Valley?

ROUND 4 - WithQuiz format - Choose your own subject - 'Mash Up'

Occasionally the pictures are integral to the question but more often they serve as helpful background

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

ROUND 5 - WithQuz format - Choose your own subject - 'Trees'

Occasionally the pictures are integral to the question but more often they serve as helpful background

1.

Apple

Together with Steve Jobs and Ron Wayne, who was the third co-founder of technology giant Apple?

2.

Birch

Birch is one of four service stations on the M62. Name any one of the other three.

3.

Broom

In which year did David Broome win an Olympic Bronze Medal for Show Jumping and also the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award?

4.

Cherry

What is the nationality of singer-songwriter Neneh Cherry?

5.

Coconut

Coconut Grove is the oldest inhabited neighbourhood of which major US city?

6.

Cork

What is the name of the major river that flows through the Irish city of Cork?

7.

Hazel

Which co-creator of the late 1970s ITV detective series Hazell was much better known in a sporting context?

8.

Holly

Name either of the types of animal that feature in the lyrics of the first verse of the Christmas carol The Holly and The Ivy.

9.

Laurel

Arthur Stanley Jefferson, better known as Stan Laurel, was born in which town in north-west England?

10.

Lime

Lyme Hall was home to which prominent Cheshire family from 1398 until Lyme Park was donated to the National Trust in 1946?

11.

Pear

Which nineteenth century artist’s work Bubbles was used for many years in advertising for Pear’s Soap?

12.

Plum

What sort of animal is a ‘Plum Judy’?“

13.

Poplar

Which London Borough was formed in 1965 by the merger of the districts of Poplar, Bethnal Green and Stepney?

14.

Rowan

Who did Rowan Williams succeed as Archbishop of Canterbury in 2002?

15.

Willow

It is well known that most cricket bats are made from willow, but which wood is traditionally used to make the stumps and bails?

ROUND 6 - WithQuiz format - Choose your own subject - 'Metrolink stops'

Occasionally the pictures are integral to the question but more often they serve as helpful background

1.

Anchorage

Around 40% of the residents of Alaska live in its largest city, Anchorage.  Which is the only US state in which a higher proportion of the state’s inhabitants (approximately 43%) live in its most populous city?

2.

Brooklands

Brooklands, Silverstone and Brands Hatch are three of the four motor racing venues to have hosted the British Grand Prix.  Which venue is the fourth, a place usually associated with a rather different kind of racing?

3.

Bury

 In Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, what are the next eight words in this speech by Mark Antony?

"Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears; I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him…"

4.

Central Park

Which Scottish League Two football team, nicknamed ‘The Blue Brazil’ plays home games at Central Park?

5.

Chorlton

What was the name of the witch in the classic 1970s kids’ TV programme, Chorlton and the Wheelies?  (first name only required)

6.

Eccles

Which Coronation Street character owns a border terrier called Eccles?

7.

Manchester Airport

Manchester Airport is owned by the ten boroughs of Greater Manchester, via a holding company called the Manchester Airports Group (MAG).  Name any two of the three other UK airports owned by MAG.

8.

Market Street

Which British supermarket chain uses the Market Street concept for the layout of its stores, with particular emphasis on food products?

9.

Old Trafford

Manchester United played home games at which ground from 1893 until their move to Old Trafford in 1910?

10.

(Oldham) Mumps

Derived from the name of the glands that are particularly affected, which ‘P’ is the scientific name for the disease commonly known as ‘mumps’?

11.

Piccadilly

The station that began life in Manchester in 1974 as Piccadilly Radio has been known by what name since January 2015?

12.

Radcliffe

In which English city could you see the distinctive building known as the Radcliffe Camera?

13.

Sale

Who is the head coach of Sale Sharks?

14.

Timperley

 Which late comedian and musician was the creator of famous Timperley resident, Frank Sidebottom?

15.

Westwood

In which year did golfer Lee Westwood finish runner-up to Phil Mickelson in the US Masters, come second to Louis Oosthuizen in the British Open at St Andrews and become the first British golfer to be ranked world number one since Nick Faldo in 1994?

1.

According to Google Maps, what is the shortest distance by road between The Red Lion in Withington and Stockport Town Hall, to the nearest 0.1 mile?

2.

What is the result of multiplying the ages at the time of their death of arguably the best-known sons of Withington and Stockport: Oscar-winner Robert Donat and tennis legend Fred Perry?

1.

Four clubs have been in the Premiership for more than 20 seasons but less than the total 26 seasons the Premiership has been in existence. Name three of them.

(three from) Aston Villa (24 seasons), Newcastle United (23), West Ham United (22) and Manchester City (21)

2.

From which American Songbook classic by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart is the line “We'll go to Coney and eat baloney on a roll” taken?

Manhattan

3.

The Handmaid’s Tale, recently the subject of a critically acclaimed TV series, was based on the novel of the same name by Margaret Atwood - but in 2000 which was Atwood’s only book to have won the Booker Prize?

The Blind Assassin

4.

In Stevenson’s book Treasure Island what is the name of the island where Captain Flint’s treasure is buried according to the map?

Skeleton Island

5.

Who is the current Editor of The Spectator?

Fraser Nelson

6.

Of the 26 counties of the Republic of Ireland 16 are coastal and 10 land-locked. Which is the second largest of the coastal counties by area after Cork?

Galway

(at 6,149 sq.km)

7.

What is the more commonly used name for a windhover?

Kestrel

8.

Who wrote the words and music for the song London Pride?

Noël Coward

9.

In mathematics the name of which geometric shape is also the word for an ancient Greek musical instrument known to us as a ‘bull-roarer’?

Rhombus

10.

Lying to the north east of the Outer Hebridean island of Barra what is the name of the next inhabited island in the chain?  It is home to a unique breed of pony as well as the group of Scots who sought to ‘repatriate’ the whisky from the shipwreck in Compton Mackenzie’s book Whisky Galore.

Eriskay

11.

On the wall of the house at 33 Carrington Road, Portwood, Stockport there is a blue plaque. Which local celebrity, who was born in 1909 and died in 1995, does it mark?

Fred Perry

12.

Which iconic building on the south bank of the Thames in London was acquired by the Liebig Extract of Meat Company in the 1920s as a cold store and largely rebuilt in an art deco style?

The Oxo Tower

13.

 In physics whose law states that: “The force needed to extend or compress a spring by a certain distance is proportional to that distance.”?

Hooke

14.

Whose birthday on 14 November is celebrated in India as Bal Divas (‘Children's Day’) in recognition of their lifelong passion and work for the welfare, education and development of children and young people?

Jawaharlal Nehru

(India’s first Prime Minister)

15.

In 1956 Twycross Zoo in Leicestershire began providing perfomers for a TV advertising campaign. What product were they advertising?

PG Tips tea

16.

Two clubs whose names begin with the letter ‘B’ have been in the Premiership for just a single season (prior to Brighton and Hove Albion this season). Name both of them.

Barnsley and Blackpool

17.

From which American Songbook classic by Irving Berlin is the line “before the fiddlers have fled” taken?

Let’s Face the Music and Dance

18.

Two years before Margaret Atwood won the Booker Prize with The Blind Assassin the Booker Prize was won by a novel featuring the name of a European city. What was its title?

Amsterdam

(by Ian McEwan)

19.

What was to be found by the cross-shaped monument to Catherine of Aragon in Ampthill Park, at the precise spot touched by the tip of the monument's shadow at noon on the day of either the vernal or autumnal equinox?

The Golden Hare

(from the ‘treasure hunt’ book Masquerade by Kit Williams)

20.

Who is the current Editor of The New Statesman?

Jason Cowley

21.

Of the 26 counties of the Republic of Ireland 16 are coastal and 10 land-locked. Which is by some way the largest of the land-locked counties by area?

Tipperary

(at 4,305 sq.km)

22.

The sea bird known in Shetland and parts of Scotland as the bonxie is better known elsewhere by what name? 

Great skua

23.

Which of Vaughan Williams’ symphonies is nicknamed The London Symphony? 

Symphony No. 2

24.

In mathematics the name for which geometric shape is derived from the Greek name for a small table with four feet?

Trapezium

(from ‘tetra pes’)

25.

Which is the largest of the so-called Bishop’s Isles (or Barra Isles) lying to the south of Barra in the Outer Hebrides? These days it is connected to Barra by causeway and is the only one of these islands still to be inhabited. 

Vatersay

26.

What is celebrated by the plaque on the wall of the house at 86 Palatine Road?

Factory Records

(which was started by Tony Wilson and Alan Erasmus in this building) 

27.

What is the name of the Uruguayan city named after a reclusive priest that became famous worldwide for its association with processed meat products?

Fray Bentos

(the priest was known in English as Brother Benedict)    

28.

Which 16th century Tudor financier gave his name to the law of economics which states that “Bad money drives out good”?

(Sir Thomas) Gresham

29.

What was the name of the leader of the All-India Muslim League from 1913 until Pakistan's independence on 14 August 1947?

(Muhammad Ali) Jinnah

30.

What was being advertised by the poster created in 1908 by artist John Hassall for the Great Northern Railways (GNR)?

Skegness

(the Jolly Fisherman picture with the slogan “Skegness is SO bracing”)

This season marks the 40^th anniversary of the formation of the Withington Quiz League (WithQuiz).

1.

The plot of which 1996 film noir thriller is summarised in this description: “When retiring police Detective William Somerset (played by Morgan Freeman) tackles a final case with the aid of newly transferred David Mills (played by Brad Pitt), they discover a number of elaborate and grizzly murders. They soon realise they are dealing with a serial killer (played by Kevin Spacey).”?

Seven

2.

The launch of a Royal Navy battleship in 1906 was subsequently described by naval historians thus: “With the launch of a single ship the scales of naval power were reset overnight.” What was the name of this battleship?

HMS Dreadnought

3.

From which work is the song Die Moritat von Mackie Messer taken?

The Threepenny Opera

by Bertolt Brecht and Elisabeth Hauptmann (the song is known in English as Mack The Knife)

4.

Which celebrity won the second series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2004?

Jill Halfpenny

5.

What is the main subject of the stage musical, The Jersey Boys? 

The Four Seasons pop group

6.

Which British coin lost its legal tender status in 1970 one year before decimalisation?

Half crown

7.

What is the atomic number of hydrogen? 

One

8.

What is the name of the British rock band from Birkenhead, Merseyside, active since the mid-1980s, known for satirical, sardonic, and sometimes surreal songs? The group was formed by Nigel Blackwell and Neil Crossley?

Half Man Half Biscuit

9.

In 1699 what did Guru Gobind Singh – in summary – command Sikhs to wear at all times?

The Five ‘Ks’

i.e. Kesh (uncut hair), Kangha (a wooden comb), Kara (an iron bracelet), Kachera (undergarment) and Kirpan (an iron dagger)

10.

Which amendment to the US Constitution dealt with the prohibition of alcoholic drinks?

Eighteenth

ROUND 3 - WithQuiz format - The County Set'

Every answer contains the name of a UK county, past or present

1.

Who was the founder and lead singer of the 1970s group Mungo Jerry?

Ray Dorset

2.

Which Coronation Street character is played by Alan Halsall?

Tyrone Dobbs

3.

In 1957 which song became the first of this man’s three UK number one singles?

Cumberland Gap
(Lonnie Donegan)

4.

What was the name of the Royal Navy cruiser on which Lord Kitchener died? Whilst travelling to Russia in June 1916 it struck a mine and sank near the Orkneys, resulting in the deaths of more than 700 crew.

HMS Hampshire

5.

Which former DJ at Piccadilly Radio and then Radio One was the last person to interview John Lennon?

Andy Peebles

6.

Who was the manager of the Scotland football team at the 1990 World Cup in Italy?

Andy Roxburgh

7.

Known for wearing a school uniform on stage despite being in his sixties, who is the lead guitarist of the rock band AC/DC?

Angus Young

8.

Known on stage as The Great Soprendo, what is the real name of the magician who was married for more than twenty years to the late Victoria Wood?

Geoffrey Durham

9.

With which 1970s television programme would you primarily associate this band?

Rutland Weekend Television

10.

Formerly the principal conductor of Manchester’s Hallé Orchestra, who is the Musical Director of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra?

Kent Nagano

11.

Who is this Scottish journalist and TV presenter?

Fyfe Robertson

12.

Which BAFTA-winning British actress’s TV roles have included Yvonne Kolakowski in Clocking Off, Ruth Goddard in Where the Heart Is and Miss Audrey in The Paradise?  She also appeared as Mrs. Pike in last year’s Dad’s Army movie.

Sarah Lancashire

13.

What was the last Elvis Presley single to be released during his lifetime?  It topped the UK charts shortly after his death in August 1977.

Way Down

14.

Known as The Phantom Major, which British soldier was the driving force behind the formation of the Special Air Service? (surname only is required)

Sir David Stirling

15.

A former Chair of the Labour Party, who is the current MP for the Welsh constituency of Cynon Valley?

Ann Clwyd

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

Sweetcorn

(accept ‘corn’ or ‘maize’)

15.

1.

Apple

Together with Steve Jobs and Ron Wayne, who was the third co-founder of technology giant Apple?

Steve Wozniak

2.

Birch

Birch is one of four service stations on the M62. Name any one of the other three.

(one from) Burtonwood, Hartshead Moor or Ferrybridge

3.

Broom

In which year did David Broome win an Olympic Bronze Medal for Show Jumping and also the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award?

1960

4.

Cherry

What is the nationality of singer-songwriter Neneh Cherry?

Swedish

5.

Coconut

Coconut Grove is the oldest inhabited neighbourhood of which major US city?

Miami

6.

Cork

What is the name of the major river that flows through the Irish city of Cork?

River Lee

7.

Hazel

Which co-creator of the late 1970s ITV detective series Hazell was much better known in a sporting context?

Terry Venables

8.

Holly

Name either of the types of animal that feature in the lyrics of the first verse of the Christmas carol The Holly and The Ivy.

Deer or Bears

("The rising of the sun, And the running of the deer, Of all the trees that are in the wood, The holly bears the crown.")

9.

Laurel

Arthur Stanley Jefferson, better known as Stan Laurel, was born in which town in north-west England?

Ulverston

10.

Lime

Lyme Hall was home to which prominent Cheshire family from 1398 until Lyme Park was donated to the National Trust in 1946?

The Legh family

11.

Pear

Which nineteenth century artist’s work Bubbles was used for many years in advertising for Pear’s Soap?

(John Everett) Millais

12.

Plum

What sort of animal is a ‘Plum Judy’?“

Butterfly

13.

Poplar

Which London Borough was formed in 1965 by the merger of the districts of Poplar, Bethnal Green and Stepney?

Tower Hamlets

14.

Rowan

Who did Rowan Williams succeed as Archbishop of Canterbury in 2002?

George Carey

15.

Willow

It is well known that most cricket bats are made from willow, but which wood is traditionally used to make the stumps and bails?

Ash

1.

Anchorage

Around 40% of the residents of Alaska live in its largest city, Anchorage.  Which is the only US state in which a higher proportion of the state’s inhabitants (approximately 43%) live in its most populous city?

New York

2.

Brooklands

Brooklands, Silverstone and Brands Hatch are three of the four motor racing venues to have hosted the British Grand Prix.  Which venue is the fourth, a place usually associated with a rather different kind of racing?

Aintree

3.

Bury

 In Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, what are the next eight words in this speech by Mark Antony?

"Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears; I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him…"

"The evil that men do lives after them"

4.

Central Park

Which Scottish League Two football team, nicknamed ‘The Blue Brazil’ plays home games at Central Park?

Cowdenbeath

5.

Chorlton

What was the name of the witch in the classic 1970s kids’ TV programme, Chorlton and the Wheelies?  (first name only required)

Fenella

6.

Eccles

Which Coronation Street character owns a border terrier called Eccles?

Ken Barlow

7.

Manchester Airport

Manchester Airport is owned by the ten boroughs of Greater Manchester, via a holding company called the Manchester Airports Group (MAG).  Name any two of the three other UK airports owned by MAG.

(two from) Bournemouth, East Midlands and Stansted

8.

Market Street

Which British supermarket chain uses the Market Street concept for the layout of its stores, with particular emphasis on food products?

Morrisons

9.

Old Trafford

Manchester United played home games at which ground from 1893 until their move to Old Trafford in 1910?

Bank Street

(or Bank Lane) 

10.

(Oldham) Mumps

Derived from the name of the glands that are particularly affected, which ‘P’ is the scientific name for the disease commonly known as ‘mumps’?

Parotitis 

11.

Piccadilly

The station that began life in Manchester in 1974 as Piccadilly Radio has been known by what name since January 2015?

Key 2

12.

Radcliffe

In which English city could you see the distinctive building known as the Radcliffe Camera?

Oxford

(a University library) 

13.

Sale

Who is the head coach of Sale Sharks?

Steve Diamond

14.

Timperley

 Which late comedian and musician was the creator of famous Timperley resident, Frank Sidebottom?

Chris Sievey

15.

Westwood

In which year did golfer Lee Westwood finish runner-up to Phil Mickelson in the US Masters, come second to Louis Oosthuizen in the British Open at St Andrews and become the first British golfer to be ranked world number one since Nick Faldo in 1994?

2010

1.

According to Google Maps, what is the shortest distance by road between The Red Lion in Withington and Stockport Town Hall, to the nearest 0.1 mile?

4.3 miles

2.

What is the result of multiplying the ages at the time of their death of arguably the best-known sons of Withington and Stockport: Oscar-winner Robert Donat and tennis legend Fred Perry?

4505

(53 x 85)