A retrospective individual look at the year with a regarding the 'LightSpeed Quiz' and its participants by the organiser, Steve Kidd.
An Incredible Year
A few days before 1st January 2004 five of us gathered at the Mill House, Stanley Ferry for the final event of 2003. Would we have settled, at that time, for the eventual result that was 2004? You bet your sweet life.
OK, at the time of writing, the year is not over, but I am wrapping up LSQ for the season. The champion this season is Mark Bytheway, who, in his three events managed gold silver and bronze (in terms of questions answered). The real winner I would venture is me, as I have found a group of people who are intelligent, witty, competitive without being annoying, generous and just nuts to be around. I only wish I knew half the crap that you guys do.
The handicaps, after wins from Lee, Darren and Barry, are close to settling down, and the 2005 season will be the most competitive of sports. I would bet it goes down to the last event with at least four people in contention
The event of the year had to be Hay-on-Wye and I hope we can do something similar next summer. My personal finds of the year are Diane Hallagan and Mike Abbott and my favourite question was:
“When King Edward II was brutally murdered he could little have imagined that 677 years later in the European football championships a Swiss player would be sent off whilst playing England in their 2004 group B match. Give this player’s name, which phonetically sums up the king’s dying condition?”*
Was it Sean Carey or Darren Martin who got the answer? Who cares. I know that Eric Kilby was having kittens next to me as I asked it, but, such is buzzer quiz.
The most remarkable events have happened outside of LSQ itself to LSQ players. To name a few, and not forgetting Kevin Ashman’s rightful position as Captain of TV’s Eggheads:
£1,452,360 - mere bagatelle.
If, between the 48 people who have participated in LSQ, we have a 2005 when we make just 1% of this total it will be a fantastic year. Many congratulations to y’all. And you know the importance of money, without being denied, may be somewhat exaggerated. We pray (or at least hope for) the health and well-being of all our kin.
Thank You
Steve
* Bernt Haas
P.S. - On Saturday 20th November, I, Steve Kidd, won £250,000 on Who wants to be Millionaire. Make that a total of around £1,702,360. I now couldn't give a toss about next year!