ROUND 1 - 'Happy New Year!  What have you already forgotten by 2023?'

1.

On New Years Day 2023, which country adopted the Euro as its official currency and joined the Schengen Area of the EU?

2.

In March who succeeded Nicola Sturgeon as First Minister of Scotland?

3.

In April who became the 31st member of NATO?

4.

In May, who won the Eurovision Song Contest held in Liverpool and hosted magnificently on behalf of Ukraine?

5.

'Barbenheimer' was a global cultural phenomenon in July, but who played the part of the eponymous J Robert Oppenheimer in the 2023 Christopher Nolan film?

6.

After Spain won the Women's World Cup in August, which Spanish footballer was forcibly kissed by Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) President Luis Rubiales?

7.

What was the name of the submersible which sadly imploded in June killing all on board while attempting to explore the wreck of the Titanic?

8.

What disputed region was taken over by Azerbaijan following a sudden offensive and causing most of the population to flee to Armenia in September?

Sp.

At the King's Coronation in May, who displayed impressive core strength when holding a very big sword for a very long time without causing any royal injuries?

Go to Round 1 questions with answers

ROUND 2 - Reverse pairs

1.

In the 1966 World Cup held in England, two grounds were picked from the north eastern region, Roker Park being one, name the other?

2.

New coins are being issued in 2024 featuring British themes on them, which seabird is depicted on the new 20p coin?

3.

Who sang the theme tune for the Bond film, The Man With the Golden Gun?

4.

In which English county would you find Happisburgh, famous for its lighthouse?

5.

New coins are being issued in 2024, which small animal will be depicted on the two-pence coin?

6.

Who sang the theme tune for the Bond film, For Your Eyes Only?

7.

In which English county would you find Berry Head lighthouse, famous for being one of the shortest stacks, yet still high on a cliff?

8.

In the 1966 World Cup held in England, Wembley and which other ground represented the south eastern region for matches?

Sp1

Which former Casualty Actress won an Oscar for playing Christy Brown's mother in the film, My Left Foot?

Sp2

Which American actress, more known for a famous detective role, will be joining Casualty in an episode due in 2024?

Go to Round 2 questions with answers

ROUND 3 - Hidden theme

Note: the theme word could be part of a longer word

1.

The Cambridge (blank) is a world famous comedy team founded at this university which helped launch the careers of many well-known comedians and comic actors including Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie.  Fill in the blank.

2.

Set before and during the Second World War this 1992 Channel 4 TV series was based on a 1984 book by Mary Wesley.  The title is taken from a stretch of grass between the Cornish house in which the action first takes place, and the sea cliffs on which many significant events take place.

3.

This term has often been used, particularly by people from Caribbean background, to refer to people of Jamaican origin although its meaning changes depending on context.  It is derived from Jamaican dialect for 'home'.  What is it?

4.

This admiral commanded British fleets during the American War of Independence and is perhaps best known for defeating the French at the Battle of the Saints in 1782.  What was his surname?

5.

This song, from the Beatles' 1967 album Sergeant Pepper contains the lines:

“Nothing can come between us,
When it gets dark, I tow your heart away”

What is the line that comes just before these lines?

6.

In Disney's Toy Story franchise, this character is dressed in green, purple and white and is voiced by American actor and comedian, Tim Allen.  Name the character.

7.

Combining dance and acrobatics this activity can be traced back 800 years to the ancient Indian sport of 'mallakhamb'.  It requires strength and endurance and takes place around a central feature which gives it its modern name.  What is it?

8.

This group of small birds of the passerine order were first collected and studied during the second voyage of the Beagle to the Galapagos Islands in the 1830s.  The term for them was first popularised in a 1947 book of the same name by the British biologist, David Lack.  How are they known?

Sp1

In which BBC comedy which originally ran from 1999-2002 would you find the following characters: Ally Welles, Barbara Dixon, Bernice Woodall, Murray Mint, Matthew Chinnery, Edward and Tubbs Tattsyrup?

Sp2

What is the surname of the character 'Brenda' played by Victoria Wood in her award winning comedy series Dinnerladies?  It is revealed in the last episode when her estranged mother Petunia (played by Julie Walters) dies and Brenda discovers that the name on her mother's death certificate is the same as her own.

Go to Round 3 questions with answers

ROUND 4 - Blockbuster Bingo: 'Things out of this world, real or fictional'

Choose any number from 1 to 10

1.

D

In the 1968 classic Sci-Fi film, 2001: A Space Odyssey, what is the name of the spaceship in which two astronauts journey to find the alien race who planted a mysterious monolith on the Moon?

2.

TJMC

Name the fictional company that owns Red Dwarf in the iconic BBC sci-fi comedy of the same name.

3.

TMC

A 1957 novel by author John Wyndham that was later made into a 1960 film called Village of the Damned and a 1964 sequel called Children of the Damned but what was the name of the original novel?

4.

RB

Played by Dutch actor Rutger Hauer this character was the lead replicant in the 1982 Sci-Fi film Blade Runner.  He gives a moving speech to Blade Runner, Rick Deckard (played by Harrison Ford) as he is about to die at the end of the film.  What was the character's name?

5.

OOS

This is the English language translation of the Latin name 'Oceanus Procellarum' which is the largest in area of the maria, or seas, on the surface of the Moon and the only one not to be called a 'sea'.  How is it known in English?

6.

P

The 2009 film Avatar and its two sequels are set on this fictional moon in the Alpha Centauri system.  It is also the name of a famous woman from Greek mythology.  Name it.

7.

T

In 1908 a comet or meteor is thought to have crashed into this remote area of Siberia and caused a massive explosion which devastated the area and caused nights light enough to read by all over Europe.  What is the name of this area?

8.

I

One of the many moons of Jupiter, it is the only other body in the Solar System, other than Earth, known to have active hot lava volcanoes.  Name it.

9.

TSM

In 1610, the Italian astronomer Galileo published a sensational pamphlet in Latin called Sidereus Nuncius announcing his discovery of the four large moons of Jupiter by using the recently invented telescope.  How is the pamphlet known in English?

10.

TBOOA

In Gustav Holst's 1916 composition The Planets Suite each planet is given a description.  How is Saturn described?

Go to Round 4 questions with answers

ROUND 5 - Pairs

1.

Which Conservative MP for the constituency of Selby and Ainsty, resigned on 10th June 2023 causing a bye-election?

2.

Who was the Chief Executive of the Scottish Nationalist Party who resigned on 18th March 2023 after accepting that he had made misleading statements about the number of party members?

3.

Despite an early red card for Tom Curry, who scored all 27 points in England’s opening 2023 Rugby World Cup game to gain a famous victory against Argentina?

4.

Who refereed the 2023 Rugby World Cup Final between South Africa and New Zealand?

5.

Which capital city is antipodal to Wellington in New Zealand?

6.

Which mega-city and sea port is antipodal to Buenos Aires?

7.

Name the 2023 Booker Prize Winner written by Paul Lynch.

8.

Which literary award was given to The Kingdoms of Savannah by George Dawes Green in 2023?

Sp.

Quite recently regaled in song, what indigenous British bird has the Latin name perdix perdix?

Go to Round 5 questions with answers

ROUND 6 - 'Remember the '90s'

1.

In the car crash that killed Princess Diana, her boyfriend Dodi Fayed and the chauffeur Henri Paul in August 1997, Diana's bodyguard was the only occupant of the car to survive.  What was his name?

2.

Natalie Imbruglia left Neighbours and released her first single in 1997.  What was it called?

3.

Who posed on the front of Rolling Stone magazine in her underwear?

4.

Which 1991 Disney film was the first to be nominated for Best Picture?

5.

Which Simpsons character was killed off due to a pay dispute with her voice actress, Maggie Roswell?

6.

Which actor died in 1993 of a drug infused heart failure outside The Viper Room in West Hollywood?

7.

I'm Always Here by Jimi Jamison was the theme tune for which 90's TV series?

8.

Which brand's campaign, 'Hello Boys' in 1994 was considered one of the most iconic of all time?

Sp.

Kriss Kriss known for songs such as Jump, sparked which unusual style craze?

Go to Round 6 questions with answers

ROUND 7 - Hidden theme

1.

The first of 3 volumes comprising the Lord of the Rings by J R R Tolkien was published in 1954 under what title?

2.

In what town has Alan Ayckbourn premiered the majority of his copious output of plays?

3.

Published between 1609 and 1619 what phenomenon does the astronomer Kepler’s Three Laws describe?

4.

What Imperial unit is equal to 550 foot-pounds per second (roughly 750watts)?

5.

The working process of what is, in theory, the most efficient heat engine possible, is known by what name?

6.

Which purported biography in 9 volumes began publication in 1759 with the first 2 volumes, but does not even reach the birth of its eponymous subject until volume 3?  It is famed for its digressions, double entendres and graphic devices.

7.

In computer parlance for what does the abbreviation 'USB' stand?

8.

Name the long running Radio 4 culinary panel show presented by Jay Rayner and currently airing at 10.30 on Saturday mornings.

Sp.

Name the first of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn’s novels, published in Russia in 1962 which gives a personal account of the harshness of the Soviet political prisons.

Go to Round 7 questions with answers

ROUND 8 - Picture Bingo

Choose a number from 1 to 12

1.

Broadcast in 2019, in which legal drama did Julianne Margulis (pictured) play the title character?

2.

Who is this 60's 'It girl', turned photographer?

3.

Name the British actress.

4.

A native of Turkey, which breed of cat is this?

5.

Kevin the Carrot, pictured here, was in which supermarket's Christmas advertising campaign?

6.

Name him.

7.

Name him.

8.

Launched in 1966 which make and model of car is this?

9.

Name the ex-hippy.

10.

Which Mr Man character is this?

11.

Name the singer, more famous in the 1970's.

12.

Name the scientist and broadcaster.

Go to Round 8 questions with answers

ROUND 1 - 'Happy New Year!  What have you already forgotten by 2023?'

1.

On New Years Day 2023, which country adopted the Euro as its official currency and joined the Schengen Area of the EU?

Croatia

2.

In March who succeeded Nicola Sturgeon as First Minister of Scotland?

Humza Yousaf

3.

In April who became the 31st member of NATO?

Finland

4.

In May, who won the Eurovision Song Contest held in Liverpool and hosted magnificently on behalf of Ukraine?

Loreen

(from Sweden)

5.

'Barbenheimer' was a global cultural phenomenon in July, but who played the part of the eponymous J Robert Oppenheimer in the 2023 Christopher Nolan film?

Cillian Murphy

6.

After Spain won the Women's World Cup in August, which Spanish footballer was forcibly kissed by Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) President Luis Rubiales?

Jenni Hermoso

7.

What was the name of the submersible which sadly imploded in June killing all on board while attempting to explore the wreck of the Titanic?

Titan

8.

What disputed region was taken over by Azerbaijan following a sudden offensive and causing most of the population to flee to Armenia in September?

Nagorno-Karabakh

Sp.

At the King's Coronation in May, who displayed impressive core strength when holding a very big sword for a very long time without causing any royal injuries?

Penny Mordaunt

ROUND 2 - Reverse pairs

1.

In the 1966 World Cup held in England, two grounds were picked from the north eastern region, Roker Park being one, name the other?

Ayresome Park

2.

New coins are being issued in 2024 featuring British themes on them, which seabird is depicted on the new 20p coin?

Puffin

3.

Who sang the theme tune for the Bond film, The Man With the Golden Gun?

Lulu

4.

In which English county would you find Happisburgh, famous for its lighthouse?

Norfolk

5.

New coins are being issued in 2024, which small animal will be depicted on the two-pence coin?

(Red) Squirrel

6.

Who sang the theme tune for the Bond film, For Your Eyes Only?

Sheena Easton

7.

In which English county would you find Berry Head lighthouse, famous for being one of the shortest stacks, yet still high on a cliff?

Devon

8.

In the 1966 World Cup held in England, Wembley and which other ground represented the south eastern region for matches?

White City

Sp1

Which former Casualty Actress won an Oscar for playing Christy Brown's mother in the film, My Left Foot?

Brenda Fricker

Sp2

Which American actress, more known for a famous detective role, will be joining Casualty in an episode due in 2024?

Sharon Gless

Go back to Round 2 questions without answers

ROUND 3 - Hidden theme

Note: the theme word could be part of a longer word

1.

The Cambridge (blank) is a world famous comedy team founded at this university which helped launch the careers of many well-known comedians and comic actors including Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie.  Fill in the blank.

Footlights

2.

Set before and during the Second World War this 1992 Channel 4 TV series was based on a 1984 book by Mary Wesley.  The title is taken from a stretch of grass between the Cornish house in which the action first takes place, and the sea cliffs on which many significant events take place.

The Camomile Lawn

3.

This term has often been used, particularly by people from Caribbean background, to refer to people of Jamaican origin although its meaning changes depending on context.  It is derived from Jamaican dialect for 'home'.  What is it?

Yardie

4.

This admiral commanded British fleets during the American War of Independence and is perhaps best known for defeating the French at the Battle of the Saints in 1782.  What was his surname?

Rodney

5.

This song, from the Beatles' 1967 album Sergeant Pepper contains the lines:

“Nothing can come between us,
When it gets dark, I tow your heart away”

What is the line that comes just before these lines?

“Lovely Rita, meter maid”

6.

In Disney's Toy Story franchise, this character is dressed in green, purple and white and is voiced by American actor and comedian, Tim Allen.  Name the character.

Buzz Lightyear

7.

Combining dance and acrobatics this activity can be traced back 800 years to the ancient Indian sport of 'mallakhamb'.  It requires strength and endurance and takes place around a central feature which gives it its modern name.  What is it?

Pole Dancing

8.

This group of small birds of the passerine order were first collected and studied during the second voyage of the Beagle to the Galapagos Islands in the 1830s.  The term for them was first popularised in a 1947 book of the same name by the British biologist, David Lack.  How are they known?

Darwin's Finches

Sp1

In which BBC comedy which originally ran from 1999-2002 would you find the following characters: Ally Welles, Barbara Dixon, Bernice Woodall, Murray Mint, Matthew Chinnery, Edward and Tubbs Tattsyrup?

The League of Gentlemen

Sp2

What is the surname of the character 'Brenda' played by Victoria Wood in her award winning comedy series Dinnerladies?  It is revealed in the last episode when her estranged mother Petunia (played by Julie Walters) dies and Brenda discovers that the name on her mother's death certificate is the same as her own.

Furlong

Theme: Each answer contains the name of a unit of measurement of distance...

foot, mile, yard, rod, meter, light year, pole, inch, league, furlong

Go back to Round 3 questions without answers

ROUND 4 - Blockbuster Bingo: 'Things out of this world, real or fictional'

Choose any number from 1 to 10

1.

D

In the 1968 classic Sci-Fi film, 2001: A Space Odyssey, what is the name of the spaceship in which two astronauts journey to find the alien race who planted a mysterious monolith on the Moon?

Discovery

2.

TJMC

Name the fictional company that owns Red Dwarf in the iconic BBC sci-fi comedy of the same name.

The Jupiter Mining Corporation

3.

TMC

A 1957 novel by author John Wyndham that was later made into a 1960 film called Village of the Damned and a 1964 sequel called Children of the Damned but what was the name of the original novel?

The Midwich Cuckoos

4.

RB

Played by Dutch actor Rutger Hauer this character was the lead replicant in the 1982 Sci-Fi film Blade Runner.  He gives a moving speech to Blade Runner, Rick Deckard (played by Harrison Ford) as he is about to die at the end of the film.  What was the character's name?

Roy Batty

5.

OOS

This is the English language translation of the Latin name 'Oceanus Procellarum' which is the largest in area of the maria, or seas, on the surface of the Moon and the only one not to be called a 'sea'.  How is it known in English?

Ocean of Storms

6.

P

The 2009 film Avatar and its two sequels are set on this fictional moon in the Alpha Centauri system.  It is also the name of a famous woman from Greek mythology.  Name it.

Pandora

7.

T

In 1908 a comet or meteor is thought to have crashed into this remote area of Siberia and caused a massive explosion which devastated the area and caused nights light enough to read by all over Europe.  What is the name of this area?

Tunguska

8.

I

One of the many moons of Jupiter, it is the only other body in the Solar System, other than Earth, known to have active hot lava volcanoes.  Name it.

Io

9.

TSM

In 1610, the Italian astronomer Galileo published a sensational pamphlet in Latin called Sidereus Nuncius announcing his discovery of the four large moons of Jupiter by using the recently invented telescope.  How is the pamphlet known in English?

The Starry Messenger

10.

TBOOA

In Gustav Holst's 1916 composition The Planets Suite each planet is given a description.  How is Saturn described?

The Bringer Of Old Age

Go back to Round 4 questions without answers

ROUND 5 - Pairs

1.

Which Conservative MP for the constituency of Selby and Ainsty, resigned on 10th June 2023 causing a bye-election?

Nigel Adams

2.

Who was the Chief Executive of the Scottish Nationalist Party who resigned on 18th March 2023 after accepting that he had made misleading statements about the number of party members?

Peter Murrell

3.

Despite an early red card for Tom Curry, who scored all 27 points in England’s opening 2023 Rugby World Cup game to gain a famous victory against Argentina?

George Ford

4.

Who refereed the 2023 Rugby World Cup Final between South Africa and New Zealand?

Wayne Barnes

5.

Which capital city is antipodal to Wellington in New Zealand?

Madrid

6.

Which mega-city and sea port is antipodal to Buenos Aires?

Shanghai

7.

Name the 2023 Booker Prize Winner written by Paul Lynch.

Prophet Song

8.

Which literary award was given to The Kingdoms of Savannah by George Dawes Green in 2023?

The Gold Dagger

Sp.

Quite recently regaled in song, what indigenous British bird has the Latin name perdix perdix?

(Grey) partridge

Go back to Round 5 questions without answers

ROUND 6 - 'Remember the '90s'

1.

In the car crash that killed Princess Diana, her boyfriend Dodi Fayed and the chauffeur Henri Paul in August 1997, Diana's bodyguard was the only occupant of the car to survive.  What was his name?

Trevor Rees-Jones

2.

Natalie Imbruglia left Neighbours and released her first single in 1997.  What was it called?

Torn

3.

Who posed on the front of Rolling Stone magazine in her underwear?

Britney Spears

4.

Which 1991 Disney film was the first to be nominated for Best Picture?

Beauty and the Beast

5.

Which Simpsons character was killed off due to a pay dispute with her voice actress, Maggie Roswell?

Maude Flanders

6.

Which actor died in 1993 of a drug infused heart failure outside The Viper Room in West Hollywood?

River Phoenix

7.

I'm Always Here by Jimi Jamison was the theme tune for which 90's TV series?

Baywatch

8.

Which brand's campaign, 'Hello Boys' in 1994 was considered one of the most iconic of all time?

Wonderbra

Sp.

Kriss Kriss known for songs such as Jump, sparked which unusual style craze?

Wearing clothes backwards

Go back to Round 6 questions without answers

ROUND 7 - Hidden theme

1.

The first of 3 volumes comprising the Lord of the Rings by J R R Tolkien was published in 1954 under what title?

The Fellowship of The Ring

2.

In what town has Alan Ayckbourn premiered the majority of his copious output of plays?

Scarborough

3.

Published between 1609 and 1619 what phenomenon does the astronomer Kepler’s Three Laws describe?

Planetary Motion

(anything resembling this will do)

4.

What Imperial unit is equal to 550 foot-pounds per second (roughly 750watts)?

Horsepower

5.

The working process of what is, in theory, the most efficient heat engine possible, is known by what name?

The Carnot Cycle

6.

Which purported biography in 9 volumes began publication in 1759 with the first 2 volumes, but does not even reach the birth of its eponymous subject until volume 3?  It is famed for its digressions, double entendres and graphic devices.

Tristram Shandy

(or more properly The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman)

7.

In computer parlance for what does the abbreviation 'USB' stand?

Universal Serial Bus

8.

Name the long running Radio 4 culinary panel show presented by Jay Rayner and currently airing at 10.30 on Saturday mornings.

The Kitchen Cabinet

Sp.

Name the first of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn’s novels, published in Russia in 1962 which gives a personal account of the harshness of the Soviet political prisons.

One Day In The Life Of Ivan Denisovich

Theme: Each answer contains the name of a means of transport

Go back to Round 7 questions without answers

ROUND 8 - Picture Bingo

Choose a number from 1 to 12

1.

Broadcast in 2019, in which legal drama did Julianne Margulis (pictured) play the title character?

The Good Wife

2.

Who is this 60's 'It girl', turned photographer?

Pattie Boyd

3.

Name the British actress.

Jenna Coleman

4.

A native of Turkey, which breed of cat is this?

(Turkish) Angora

5.

Kevin the Carrot, pictured here, was in which supermarket's Christmas advertising campaign?

Aldi

6.

Name him.

(Vincent) Van Gogh

7.

Name him.

(Henri) Toulouse-Lautrec

8.

Launched in 1966 which make and model of car is this?

Jensen Interceptor

9.

Name the ex-hippy.

Tony Blair

10.

Which Mr Man character is this?

Strong

11.

Name the singer, more famous in the 1970's.

Tammy Wynette

12.

Name the scientist and broadcaster.

(Dr) Michael Mosley

Go back to Round 8 questions without answers