ROUND 1 - Announced Theme – ‘You can’t have enough of some people’

Around 14 people have been Prime Minister of the UK on two or more separate occasions (i.e. someone else has been PM in between).

1.

Which fast-food chain with 10 or so branches in Greater Manchester has a logo featuring a rather scruffy looking man trying to get his mouth round what looks like a very large Bonanza Burger?

2.

Rebranded as ‘Manchester One’, what was the former name of this City Centre office block?  It was one of the first high-rise buildings built in the UK and its former name reflected the thoroughfare on which it stands.

3.

Which Welsh international rugby player made the news in 2017?  His Wikipedia page tells the story: “He plays as hooker for the Ospreys and is a part-time lion tamer” – which refers to him sticking his hand through the bars of a lion cage … no guesses for what happened next! (full name required)

4.

What might have been known as a Bunbury had - as legend goes - a 1779 coin toss gone the other way?  Not to worry though, Bunbury won the first time the event took place a couple of years later.

5.

In which antipodean city is the world famous ‘Te Papa Tongarewa’ situated?

6.

Which modern American film star has featured in many films this century, including Wedding Crashers and all 3 Cars films?  He memorably made a beautiful wedding altar in Meet the Parents … that was burnt down following a freak accident. 

7.

Which Midland motorsport venue claims to be Europe’s fastest racing circuit, due largely to the fact that its oval track was the first banked circuit constructed since Brooklands closed?  It is located around 2 miles from Corby.

8.

Home to the NRL Knights and the ‘A’ League Jets, the second largest city in New South Wales is about 100 miles north of Sydney.  What is its name?

ROUND 2 - ‘We’re not really here!’

Questions on things that don’t exist

1.

Which fictional product is made from ‘high energy plankton gathered from the oceans of the world’ - according to the advertisers, at least?

2.

Which fictional cartoon series was replaced by Worker and Parasite (‘Eastern Europe’s favourite cat and mouse team!’) when it briefly defected to a competitor channel?

3.

Krotmag and Morskan are dialects of which fictional language?

4.

Rulers of which fictional city-state include: Webblethorpe the Unconscious and Mad Lord Snapcase?  It is home to a notable collection of dwarf bread, and the Unseen University.

5.

In which fictional castle would you find the ‘Hall of Bright Carvings’ and the ‘Tower of Flints’, home to hundreds of owls?

6.

Which fictional substance may be defined as ‘elementary particles associated with consciousness, and attracted to human beings, particularly those who have gone through puberty’?  Its single-word name derives from Genesis 3:19.

7.

Valley of the Twenty-Something Guys, Plus One is the Loneliest Number, and A Woman’s Right to Shoes are the titles of columns by which fictional journalist? 

8.

Who is the fictional author of the fictional books On the Polyphonic Motets of Lassus, On the Study of Tobaccos and their Ashes, and A Practical Handbook of Bee Culture with Some Observations upon the Segregation of the Queen?

ROUND 3 - Hidden theme – ‘Making initial progress’

The theme is shown after the answer to the third spare question

1.

Who was the first Vice President of the United States?

2.

Which Bradford-born writer was a founder-member of the left-wing Common Wealth Party, and ran as an independent candidate in the 1945 UK General Election?

3.

Who presented his debut episode of the programme that would make him famous on 1st October 1962?  Among the guests featured on this debut episode were Joan Crawford, Mel Brooks and Groucho Marx.

4.

Born in Brooklyn in 1955, who claims, somewhat spuriously, to be the first supermodel?

5.

Which artist married Effie Gray in 1855, whom he met while she was married to John Ruskin?

6.

Which actress, the star of Alfred Hitchcock's Rebecca, died in 2013 at the age of 96?  Her sister, Olivia de Havilland, is still alive at 101.

7.

Nicknamed ‘Magda’, which woman was known as ‘The First Lady of the Third Reich’?

8.

Which UK journalist was compelled to hand back his Orwell Prize in 2011, following charges of plagiarism?

Sp1

Which racing driver won the Le Mans 24 Hours 6 times between 1969 and 1982, and was runner up in the Formula One world championship in 1969 and 1970?

Sp2

In the Spiderman Universe, what is the name of the taciturn editor of the Daily Bugle?

Sp3

Who is the lead singer of the band that had hits with Canned Heat, Too Young To Die, and Virtual Insanity?

ROUND 4 - ‘Up the Rebels!’

As some of you may recall from previous quiz papers, Opsimath Brian comes from Slough. Now Slough Town FC, nicknamed ‘The Rebels’, play in the the Evo-Stik League South Premier Division. So for this round each player needs to pick a question about other towns which have teams in this division.

Where the answer is a name then the full name is required – except for the one in which a title is involved.

1.

Banbury

Mel and Sue are to present a new version of The Generation Game later this year.  Which celebrity, born in Banbury, is missing from this list of past presenters: Bruce Forsyth, Jim Davidson, Graham Norton and Vernon Kay?

2.

Basingstoke

His Basingstoke Boy: Autobiography came out in 1992, a year after this journalist and cricket commentator died.  Quotes from him include: “Bill Frindall has done a bit of mental arithmetic with a calculator”, and “Ray Illingworth is relieving himself in front of the pavilion”.  Who was he?

3.

Bishop’s Stortford

His statue at South Africa's University of Cape Town was taken down in April 2015.  Despite a student campaign in 2016, Oxford’s Oriel College said it would not remove its statue of him.  Which son of Bishop’s Stortford is he?

4.

Dorchester

In Dorchester in 1834, using an obscure law, six men were tried and found guilty of swearing secret oaths, in the case of ‘Rex v Lovelass and Others’.  How are ‘Lovelass and Others’ more commonly known?

5.

Dunstable

This well-known movie star went to Dunstable Grammar School from 1910 to 1913.  His first ‘talkie’ film in 1929 was, The Virginian.  He won Best Actor Oscars in 1942 and 1953, for Sergeant York and High Noon.  Who was he?

6.

Hereford

Which son of Hereford voiced and performed Miss Piggy in The Muppets, the Cookie Monster in Sesame Street, and Yoda in Star Wars?

7.

Hitchin

What ‘first’ do current football clubs Hitchin Town, Marlow FC, Maidenhead United, the Civil Service FC, and the Scottish team Queen’s Park, all have in common?

8.

Kettering

He has appeared in the BBC sitcoms Outnumbered and Not Going Out and is a regular panellist on the BBC2 comedy show Mock the Week.  Who is this son of Kettering?

9.

King’s Lynn

In the 70’s and 80’s, Queen’s classic line-up was Freddie Mercury on vocals, Brian May on lead guitar, John Deacon on bass guitar, and which son of King’s Lynn on drums?

10.

Merthyr Tydfil

Timothy Evans was born in Merthyr.  In 1949, while living in Notting Hill, he was accused of murdering his wife and daughter.  In 1950, he was convicted of the murder of his daughter and hanged.  During his trial, Evans accused his downstairs neighbour of committing the murders.  Who was that neighbour?

11.

St Ives

Which museum, founded in 2000, is missing from this network: Tate Britain (founded 1897), Tate St. Ives (founded 1993), Tate Online (founded in 1998) and Tate Modern (founded in 2000)? 

12.

St Neots

John Bellingham was born in St Neots in about 1769.  Who did he famously kill at about 5:15 pm on Monday 11 May 1812?

13.

Stratford upon Avon

Shakespeare was born here, but which playwright and novelist died here in 1984, aged 89?  He is perhaps best known for his 1945 play An Inspector Calls and his 1929 novel The Good Companions.

14.

Tiverton

Popularly nicknamed ‘Pam’ and ‘The Mongoose’, he was in government office almost continuously from 1807 until he died in 1865.  He started in parliament as a Tory, switched to the Whigs in 1830, and ended up as the first Prime Minister of the newly formed Liberal Party from 1859.  Which Tiverton MP is being referred to?

15.

Weymouth

Which World Heritage Site stretches from Exmouth in Devon, through Weymouth, to Studland Bay in Dorset?  It is named after a mountain range, which mainly follows the France-Switzerland border.

ROUND 5 - Paired Quotations

Where the answer is neither a monarch nor a peer the full name is required – other than in question 8 where a pair of initials will suffice for first names

1.

Which British politician active in government in the 1960s is believed to have said:

2.

Which British politician said in 1868:

3.

Which religious leader said, in 1558, that:

4.

Which religious leader wrote in 1739 that:

5.

Who told Queen Victoria:

and what was this advice meant to achieve in relation to which specific place?

6.

Who said:

7.

Which early 17th century polymath and Lord Chancellor wrote:

8.

Which respected Manchester journalist wrote that:

Sp1

“He nothing common did or mean upon that memorable scene“.

Sp2

Who told his wife:

ROUND 6 - ‘Speaking of the Opsimaths’

The answers to questions 1 to 6 (and to the 2 spare questions) contain adjectives that the fabulous Opsimaths would love others to use to describe their question papers – sadly, however, over the years they have been reduced to using the adjectives featured in the answers to questions 7 and 8

1.

This 1961 children’s book follows the adventures of Luath the Labrador, Bodger the Bull Terrier, and Tao the Siamese cat, as they travel back home, through the Canadian wilderness.  In 1963, it was turned into a live-action film by Walt Disney.  What was it called?

2.

Visible from space, what is the world’s biggest single structure made by living organisms?

3.

First published by Marvel Comics in November 1961, this team comprises Sue Storm (as The Invisible Woman), Johnny Storm (as The Human Torch), Ben Grimm (as The Thing), and Reed Richards – as whom?

4.

First published in 1779, this hymn has been recorded by Mahalia Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Rod Stewart, Johnny Cash, the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, and others.  In 1969, Arlo Guthrie performed it at the Woodstock Music Festival.  What is the hymn called?

5.

In February 1968, Louis Armstrong became the oldest male to top the UK Singles Chart, at 66 years and 10 months old.  What was the name of his only UK No. 1 hit single?

6.

When Joe Shuster drew this character in the 1930s, he based his stance and devil-may-care attitude on Douglas Fairbanks and his face on Johnny Weissmuller.  He was also inspired by slapstick comedian Harold Lloyd.  Who was this character? 

7.

In 1874, who composed the piano suite Pictures from an Exhibition? (both first name and family name required)

8.

Which Scottish folk band, active from 1965 to 1971, included Billy Connolly, who sang and played guitar and banjo, guitarist Tam Harvey and singer-songwriter Gerry Rafferty?

Sp1

Of which 1980 film is Sir Lew Grade said to have remarked: “It would have been cheaper to lower the Atlantic"?

Sp2

This is the largest specialist retailer of wine in the UK. It has 211 stores, including ones in Sale, Stockport, Cheadle Hulme, Altrincham, and Wilmslow.  What is called?

1.

Born in Dublin in 1891, a woman called Bridget Dowling wrote a memoir detailing, among other things, a visit from her brother-in-law to Stanhope Street Liverpool in 1912.  What was her married surname?

2.

Inspired by Dowling's diaries, which writer and Liverpool native wrote the historical novel Young Hitler in 1978? (full name required)

3.

In November 2017 it was announced that Sarah Clarke would in 2018 become the first woman to hold which post?

4.

In December 2017 it was announced that Sarah Mullally would in 2018 become the first woman to hold which post?

5.

Theoretically visible from Snowdon 144 miles away, Merrick, the highest peak in the Scottish Southern Uplands, can be found within the boundaries of which forest park with the same name as an historical region of Scotland? 

6.

Although not literally true, a folk saying has it that three of Scotland’s rivers arise from the same hillside.  One of these is the River Clyde.  What is the name of either of the other two major rivers which have their source close to the town of Moffat in Dumfries and Galloway?

7.

What birthstone takes its name from the Greek word for ‘sober’, as it was believed to ward off drunkenness?

8.

What herb takes its name from the Greek ‘to make a burnt offering’, as it was believed burning it in temples fostered courage? 

Sp1

The 1924 Olympic bronze medal for sculpture was won by the son of which French post-impressionist artist, who latterly lived in the South Pacific? (full name required)

Sp2

The 1924 Olympic silver medal for painting was won by the brother of which Irish poet, winner of the previous year’s Nobel literature prize? (full name required)

1.

What was the original name of the Grade 3 National Hunt Chase horse race first run in 1957 at Cheltenham and then transferred to Newbury in 1960?  Its name was altered in 2016 to the ‘Ladbroke’s Trophy’ to reflect a change in sponsorship.

2.

In the film version of One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest who won a Best Actress Oscar for the part of Nurse Ratched? (full name required)

3.

Whose partner is called Antonella Roccuzzo with whom he has two sons, Mateo and Thiago? (full name required)

4.

Which recurring TV sketch featured Captain Link Hogthrob and Dr Julius Strangepork?

5.

Founded in 2012, what is the name of the American social news website on which registered members submit content which is then voted up or down by other members?  It is the 6th most visited website in the world.

6.

Which English rock band was formed in Birmingham in 1970 by instrumentalists Jeff Lynne and Roy Wood, along with drummer Bev Bevan? (full name required)

7.

In a legendary quiz question set in the 1980s by WithQuiz team Rabbi Lionel this racing driver was not named as the most famous driver of all time; however many have dubbed him ‘the greatest driver never to win the World Championship’ and in a seven-year span between 1955 and 1961 he finished as championship runner-up four times and third the other three.  Who was he?

8.

What was the surname of the fifth Vice President of the US (serving from 1813 to 1814)?  He is best remembered for giving this name to the practice of establishing political advantage by manipulating district boundaries.

ROUND 1 - Announced Theme – ‘You can’t have enough of some people’

Around 14 people have been Prime Minister of the UK on two or more separate occasions (i.e. someone else has been PM in between).

Each answer contains the name of one of these (with one sound-alike).

1.

Which fast-food chain with 10 or so branches in Greater Manchester has a logo featuring a rather scruffy looking man trying to get his mouth round what looks like a very large Bonanza Burger?

The Canadian Charcoal Pit

2.

Rebranded as ‘Manchester One’, what was the former name of this City Centre office block?  It was one of the first high-rise buildings built in the UK and its former name reflected the thoroughfare on which it stands.

Portland Tower

3.

Which Welsh international rugby player made the news in 2017?  His Wikipedia page tells the story: “He plays as hooker for the Ospreys and is a part-time lion tamer” – which refers to him sticking his hand through the bars of a lion cage … no guesses for what happened next! (full name required)

Scott Baldwin

4.

What might have been known as a Bunbury had - as legend goes - a 1779 coin toss gone the other way?  Not to worry though, Bunbury won the first time the event took place a couple of years later.

The Derby

(accept ‘Epsom Derby’)

5.

In which antipodean city is the world famous ‘Te Papa Tongarewa’ situated?

Wellington

(it’s the National Museum and Art Gallery of New Zealand)

6.

Which modern American film star has featured in many films this century, including Wedding Crashers and all 3 Cars films?  He memorably made a beautiful wedding altar in Meet the Parents … that was burnt down following a freak accident. 

Owen Wilson

7.

Which Midland motorsport venue claims to be Europe’s fastest racing circuit, due largely to the fact that its oval track was the first banked circuit constructed since Brooklands closed?  It is located around 2 miles from Corby.

Rockingham

8.

Home to the NRL Knights and the ‘A’ League Jets, the second largest city in New South Wales is about 100 miles north of Sydney.  What is its name?

Newcastle

1.

Which fictional product is made from ‘high energy plankton gathered from the oceans of the world’ - according to the advertisers, at least?

Soylent Green

(actually it’s made from people – ref. the Sci-Fi film of the same name)

2.

Which fictional cartoon series was replaced by Worker and Parasite (‘Eastern Europe’s favourite cat and mouse team!’) when it briefly defected to a competitor channel?

(The) Itchy and Scratchy (Show)

(Ref. The Simpsons)

3.

Krotmag and Morskan are dialects of which fictional language?

Klingon

(Ref. Star Trek)

4.

Rulers of which fictional city-state include: Webblethorpe the Unconscious and Mad Lord Snapcase?  It is home to a notable collection of dwarf bread, and the Unseen University.

Ankh-Morpork

(Ref. Discworld)

5.

In which fictional castle would you find the ‘Hall of Bright Carvings’ and the ‘Tower of Flints’, home to hundreds of owls?

Gormenghast

(Ref. the novel of the same name)

6.

Which fictional substance may be defined as ‘elementary particles associated with consciousness, and attracted to human beings, particularly those who have gone through puberty’?  Its single-word name derives from Genesis 3:19.

Dust

(“For Dust thou art….,” - ref. Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials)

7.

Valley of the Twenty-Something Guys, Plus One is the Loneliest Number, and A Woman’s Right to Shoes are the titles of columns by which fictional journalist? 

Carrie Bradshaw

(Ref. Sex and the City)

8.

Who is the fictional author of the fictional books On the Polyphonic Motets of Lassus, On the Study of Tobaccos and their Ashes, and A Practical Handbook of Bee Culture with Some Observations upon the Segregation of the Queen?

Sherlock Holmes

ROUND 3 - Hidden theme – ‘Making initial progress’

The theme is shown after the answer to the third spare question

1.

Who was the first Vice President of the United States?

John Adams

2.

Which Bradford-born writer was a founder-member of the left-wing Common Wealth Party, and ran as an independent candidate in the 1945 UK General Election?

J B Priestley

3.

Who presented his debut episode of the programme that would make him famous on 1st October 1962?  Among the guests featured on this debut episode were Joan Crawford, Mel Brooks and Groucho Marx.

Johnny Carson

4.

Born in Brooklyn in 1955, who claims, somewhat spuriously, to be the first supermodel?

Janice Dickenson

5.

Which artist married Effie Gray in 1855, whom he met while she was married to John Ruskin?

John Everett Millais

6.

Which actress, the star of Alfred Hitchcock's Rebecca, died in 2013 at the age of 96?  Her sister, Olivia de Havilland, is still alive at 101.

Joan Fontaine

7.

Nicknamed ‘Magda’, which woman was known as ‘The First Lady of the Third Reich’?

Joanna Goebbels

8.

Which UK journalist was compelled to hand back his Orwell Prize in 2011, following charges of plagiarism?

Johann Hari

Sp1

Which racing driver won the Le Mans 24 Hours 6 times between 1969 and 1982, and was runner up in the Formula One world championship in 1969 and 1970?

Jacky Ickx

Sp2

In the Spiderman Universe, what is the name of the taciturn editor of the Daily Bugle?

J Jonah Jameson

Sp3

Who is the lead singer of the band that had hits with Canned Heat, Too Young To Die, and Virtual Insanity?

Jay Kay

(of Jamiroquai)

Theme: Answers are names that, when turned into sets of initials, have their first two initials progressing alphabetically from ‘JA’ to ‘JB’ to ‘JC’ etc.

ROUND 4 - ‘Up the Rebels!’

As some of you may recall from previous quiz papers, Opsimath Brian comes from Slough. Now Slough Town FC, nicknamed ‘The Rebels’, play in the the Evo-Stik League South Premier Division. So for this round each player needs to pick a question about other towns which have teams in this division.

Where the answer is a name then the full name is required – except for the one in which a title is involved.

1.

Banbury

Mel and Sue are to present a new version of The Generation Game later this year.  Which celebrity, born in Banbury, is missing from this list of past presenters: Bruce Forsyth, Jim Davidson, Graham Norton and Vernon Kay?

Larry Grayson

2.

Basingstoke

His Basingstoke Boy: Autobiography came out in 1992, a year after this journalist and cricket commentator died.  Quotes from him include: “Bill Frindall has done a bit of mental arithmetic with a calculator”, and “Ray Illingworth is relieving himself in front of the pavilion”.  Who was he?

 John Arlott

3.

Bishop’s Stortford

His statue at South Africa's University of Cape Town was taken down in April 2015.  Despite a student campaign in 2016, Oxford’s Oriel College said it would not remove its statue of him.  Which son of Bishop’s Stortford is he?

Cecil Rhodes

4.

Dorchester

In Dorchester in 1834, using an obscure law, six men were tried and found guilty of swearing secret oaths, in the case of ‘Rex v Lovelass and Others’.  How are ‘Lovelass and Others’ more commonly known?

 The Tolpuddle Martyrs

5.

Dunstable

This well-known movie star went to Dunstable Grammar School from 1910 to 1913.  His first ‘talkie’ film in 1929 was, The Virginian.  He won Best Actor Oscars in 1942 and 1953, for Sergeant York and High Noon.  Who was he?

Gary Cooper

6.

Hereford

Which son of Hereford voiced and performed Miss Piggy in The Muppets, the Cookie Monster in Sesame Street, and Yoda in Star Wars?

Frank Oz

7.

Hitchin

What ‘first’ do current football clubs Hitchin Town, Marlow FC, Maidenhead United, the Civil Service FC, and the Scottish team Queen’s Park, all have in common?

They all competed in the first FA Cup competition

(in the 1871-72 season)

8.

Kettering

He has appeared in the BBC sitcoms Outnumbered and Not Going Out and is a regular panellist on the BBC2 comedy show Mock the Week.  Who is this son of Kettering?

Hugh Dennis 

9.

King’s Lynn

In the 70’s and 80’s, Queen’s classic line-up was Freddie Mercury on vocals, Brian May on lead guitar, John Deacon on bass guitar, and which son of King’s Lynn on drums?

Roger Taylor

10.

Merthyr Tydfil

Timothy Evans was born in Merthyr.  In 1949, while living in Notting Hill, he was accused of murdering his wife and daughter.  In 1950, he was convicted of the murder of his daughter and hanged.  During his trial, Evans accused his downstairs neighbour of committing the murders.  Who was that neighbour?

John Christie

(in 1966, Evans was granted a posthumous pardon)

11.

St Ives

Which museum, founded in 2000, is missing from this network: Tate Britain (founded 1897), Tate St. Ives (founded 1993), Tate Online (founded in 1998) and Tate Modern (founded in 2000)? 

Tate Liverpool

(founded in 1988)

12.

St Neots

John Bellingham was born in St Neots in about 1769.  Who did he famously kill at about 5:15 pm on Monday 11 May 1812?

Spencer Percival

(the Prime Minister)

13.

Stratford upon Avon

Shakespeare was born here, but which playwright and novelist died here in 1984, aged 89?  He is perhaps best known for his 1945 play An Inspector Calls and his 1929 novel The Good Companions.

John Boynton (JB) Priestley 

14.

Tiverton

Popularly nicknamed ‘Pam’ and ‘The Mongoose’, he was in government office almost continuously from 1807 until he died in 1865.  He started in parliament as a Tory, switched to the Whigs in 1830, and ended up as the first Prime Minister of the newly formed Liberal Party from 1859.  Which Tiverton MP is being referred to?

Lord Palmerston 

15.

Weymouth

Which World Heritage Site stretches from Exmouth in Devon, through Weymouth, to Studland Bay in Dorset?  It is named after a mountain range, which mainly follows the France-Switzerland border.

The Jurassic Coast

(named after the Jura Mountains)

ROUND 5 - Paired Quotations

Where the answer is neither a monarch nor a peer the full name is required – other than in question 8 where a pair of initials will suffice for first names

1.

Which British politician active in government in the 1960s is believed to have said:

Tony Benn

2.

Which British politician said in 1868:

Benjamin Disraeli

(on becoming PM)

3.

Which religious leader said, in 1558, that:

John Knox

4.

Which religious leader wrote in 1739 that:

John Wesley

5.

Who told Queen Victoria:

and what was this advice meant to achieve in relation to which specific place?

Duke of Wellington; get rid of birds in the Crystal Palace

6.

Who said:

Charles I; attempts to arrest 5 Members of Parliament (exact number not required)

7.

Which early 17th century polymath and Lord Chancellor wrote:

Francis Bacon

8.

Which respected Manchester journalist wrote that:

C P Scott

Sp1

“He nothing common did or mean upon that memorable scene“.

Execution of Charles I; described by Andrew Marvell

Sp2

Who told his wife:

Ronald Reagan; after being shot

1.

This 1961 children’s book follows the adventures of Luath the Labrador, Bodger the Bull Terrier, and Tao the Siamese cat, as they travel back home, through the Canadian wilderness.  In 1963, it was turned into a live-action film by Walt Disney.  What was it called?

The Incredible Journey

2.

Visible from space, what is the world’s biggest single structure made by living organisms?

The Great Barrier Reef

3.

First published by Marvel Comics in November 1961, this team comprises Sue Storm (as The Invisible Woman), Johnny Storm (as The Human Torch), Ben Grimm (as The Thing), and Reed Richards – as whom?

Mister Fantastic

(of the Fantastic Four)

4.

First published in 1779, this hymn has been recorded by Mahalia Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Rod Stewart, Johnny Cash, the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, and others.  In 1969, Arlo Guthrie performed it at the Woodstock Music Festival.  What is the hymn called?

Amazing Grace

5.

In February 1968, Louis Armstrong became the oldest male to top the UK Singles Chart, at 66 years and 10 months old.  What was the name of his only UK No. 1 hit single?

What a Wonderful World (Armstrong's record was broken in 2009 when a cover version of Islands in the Stream recorded for Comic Relief reached number one in the charts, which included the 68-year-old Tom Jones)

6.

When Joe Shuster drew this character in the 1930s, he based his stance and devil-may-care attitude on Douglas Fairbanks and his face on Johnny Weissmuller.  He was also inspired by slapstick comedian Harold Lloyd.  Who was this character? 

Superman

7.

In 1874, who composed the piano suite Pictures from an Exhibition? (both first name and family name required)

Modest Mussorgsky

8.

Which Scottish folk band, active from 1965 to 1971, included Billy Connolly, who sang and played guitar and banjo, guitarist Tam Harvey and singer-songwriter Gerry Rafferty?

The Humblebums

Sp1

Of which 1980 film is Sir Lew Grade said to have remarked: “It would have been cheaper to lower the Atlantic"?

Raise the Titanic

Sp2

This is the largest specialist retailer of wine in the UK. It has 211 stores, including ones in Sale, Stockport, Cheadle Hulme, Altrincham, and Wilmslow.  What is called?

Majestic Wine

1.

Born in Dublin in 1891, a woman called Bridget Dowling wrote a memoir detailing, among other things, a visit from her brother-in-law to Stanhope Street Liverpool in 1912.  What was her married surname?

Hitler

2.

Inspired by Dowling's diaries, which writer and Liverpool native wrote the historical novel Young Hitler in 1978? (full name required)

Beryl Bainbridge

3.

In November 2017 it was announced that Sarah Clarke would in 2018 become the first woman to hold which post?

(Lady Usher of the) Black Rod

4.

In December 2017 it was announced that Sarah Mullally would in 2018 become the first woman to hold which post?

Bishop of London

5.

Theoretically visible from Snowdon 144 miles away, Merrick, the highest peak in the Scottish Southern Uplands, can be found within the boundaries of which forest park with the same name as an historical region of Scotland? 

Galloway

6.

Although not literally true, a folk saying has it that three of Scotland’s rivers arise from the same hillside.  One of these is the River Clyde.  What is the name of either of the other two major rivers which have their source close to the town of Moffat in Dumfries and Galloway?

(either) Tweed or Annan

7.

What birthstone takes its name from the Greek word for ‘sober’, as it was believed to ward off drunkenness?

Amethyst

8.

What herb takes its name from the Greek ‘to make a burnt offering’, as it was believed burning it in temples fostered courage? 

Thyme

Sp1

The 1924 Olympic bronze medal for sculpture was won by the son of which French post-impressionist artist, who latterly lived in the South Pacific? (full name required)

Paul Gauguin

Sp2

The 1924 Olympic silver medal for painting was won by the brother of which Irish poet, winner of the previous year’s Nobel literature prize? (full name required)

William Butler Yeats

1.

What was the original name of the Grade 3 National Hunt Chase horse race first run in 1957 at Cheltenham and then transferred to Newbury in 1960?  Its name was altered in 2016 to the ‘Ladbroke’s Trophy’ to reflect a change in sponsorship.

The Hennessy (Cognac) Gold Cup

2.

In the film version of One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest who won a Best Actress Oscar for the part of Nurse Ratched? (full name required)

Louise Fletcher

3.

Whose partner is called Antonella Roccuzzo with whom he has two sons, Mateo and Thiago? (full name required)

Lionel Messi

4.

Which recurring TV sketch featured Captain Link Hogthrob and Dr Julius Strangepork?

Pigs in Space

(from The Muppet Show)

5.

Founded in 2012, what is the name of the American social news website on which registered members submit content which is then voted up or down by other members?  It is the 6th most visited website in the world.

Reddit

6.

Which English rock band was formed in Birmingham in 1970 by instrumentalists Jeff Lynne and Roy Wood, along with drummer Bev Bevan? (full name required)

Electric Light Orchestra

(ELO)

7.

In a legendary quiz question set in the 1980s by WithQuiz team Rabbi Lionel this racing driver was not named as the most famous driver of all time; however many have dubbed him ‘the greatest driver never to win the World Championship’ and in a seven-year span between 1955 and 1961 he finished as championship runner-up four times and third the other three.  Who was he?

Stirling Moss

8.

What was the surname of the fifth Vice President of the US (serving from 1813 to 1814)?  He is best remembered for giving this name to the practice of establishing political advantage by manipulating district boundaries.

(Elbridge) Gerry

(the practice is called ‘gerrymandering’)