For many years our annual quiz has been organised by our long-term Chairman and later President Russ, indeed it was one of his pleasures to do that. Sadly not long before our 2019 quiz, he passed away. The ball was picked-up and run with but he was a hard act to follow. He would have been pleased with the turn-out. The event was very well attended and our thanks to all who came along and wrestled with the many apparently "hard" questions, with some wondering how they had got on to University Challenge; you have your scribe to blame for that, as Russ hadn’t yet started the process this year when he became ill.
It wasn’t long before extra thinking time was requested before answer paper collection and the start of the next round. And when the answers were displayed there were not a few loud exclamations of realisation when you see it written down. As the evening wore-on, the general hubbub increased, probably for some caused by their consumption of that on offer but no matter, there was jollity and frivolity and those who were not scoring well took it in good part, especially when their friends on the next team were well ahead in the points table. Speaking of tables, that's the raffle table below, and Shaun calling, by Quiz Control.
The whole proceedings netted us just under eight hundred pounds after expenses were withdrawn (hire of the hall, alcohol licence etc.), a little less than last year, which seemed to be mostly because some were abstemious, maybe it was the real ale running out? There were plenty of bottles on offer though but no worries, nearly eight hundred quid is a good result.
The winners this year were "The Bell Lane Enders", with "A Question of Port" not too far behind. Both teams were awarded liquid prizes, the pic below is of the winners after the presentation of their prizes by our new Chairman, Chris.
There are the usual suspects to thank profusely for their efforts. Alan for the overall organising of the event, and, with his wife Jackie ably assisted by Clare, one of our newer member’s good lady, the bar; the small barrel of thirty or more pints of real ale proved to be very popular, it was drained to the last drop. Then there was Rosanne and her team from Byfield’s PTA who provided the mid-term butties stuffed with tasty bacon. Shaun, who as usual, compared the show and sheltered yours truly from the brickbats fired by those who were disappointed not to have questions on celebrity or soaps; not from this QM folks. Thanks to Shaun's wife Karin, for putting up and adding up the scores. Bob and Peter for scoring and Tony and David for being their runners. John for collecting the cash and of course Alison and Laurie for organising and with Vernon, running the raffle; AND of course all those who donated goodies to be raffled. Finally thanks to those who helped clean-up afterwards - and transport stuff to waiting cars, all frozen-up after a wall to wall sunshine day and late autumn starlit evening. Although not responsible for the elevated level of difficulty, I must also thank David, the Secretary of Hayfield RBL Branch up in Derbyshire for his help in the creation and display of our questions. We hope Russ would have approved.
