QU12 News 1

QU12 News 16, October 19^th 2007:

Round Eight, West Midlands report

QU12 2007 round eight was held at The Saracens Head, (Stafford Rd, Weston. ST18 0HT , Staffordshire. (Tel 01889 270 286 and ask for Barbara or Graeme if you fancy booking a meal). Two local players, Anne and Neville Brook garnished the rootin' tootin' magnificent six that blazed their way through a classic (typical?) QU12. I'm not going to give you the result, watch the programme on YouTube, but watch out for some fabulous hits from Chris Curtis, e.g. I asked "what is the alternative n..." and he buzzed - and got the right answer. His rendition of "Back Home", although lyrically inaccurate, shall go down as really rockin' the quiz world. Keith Pointon and Scott Dawson flew the flag for Staffordhire, Martin Riley showed much of the form which got him into four Fifteen to One Grand Finals, Lee Warburton gets the Ray Oakes award for most unique answers, and Nick Duffy - woah - a revelation, in terms of quizzability, temperament, appearance and quizmastership later in the afternoon. Once again, the players had a great time, and I was flabbergasted by talent.

For the second time I asked the contestants to rate the show on several aspects, and once again almost all (i.e. 90%) scored over 4 out of 5. Yes, the venue was too small and noisy, no fault of The Saracen's Head, who I am sure would have been top rated had I polled the guests on the fabulous Sunday dinner we had and the friendly service from Barbara and Graeme. The sound was not good and some of the film is slightly out of focus, but nevertheless many thanks to the person who rated the loads of the films with only one star on YouTube. It must take somebody very special not only to sit through a film they don't like, but then have the courtesy to watch at least ten more which they know they will not enjoy, just so they can let the world know. Still, I love the films, warts n all, and if anybody else could rate them objectively I would appreciate it. - Thanks

Forthcoming events

Ulster

The ferry is booked, the cottage has been hired and I have been having dreams of being stranded on friable headlands when the tide has come in. Joy, Harry and Judith I can't wait to see you, and I know that there will be a welcome for us in the Sperrins. Entered so far:

Daphne Bustard Winston Bustard Cate Conway

Patrick Herron Hugh Irvine Anto McCann

Alyn McFetridge Harry Searl Judith Searl

Susan Stewart Joy Wilson

One place left! Fans of The People's Quiz will see a raft of competitors from that show, namely, Judith, Cate, Susan and the wonderful Anto, who has to be quite the jolliest quiz player ever to be on TV. I know that Patrick and Harry have had their taste of the limelight and I am sure I don't know the half about these guys yet. I hope they can understand me. If more than twenty people turn up I will run round eleven as well. So don't tell anybody!! It will be at Heffrons Bar, 34 Main St, Randalstown, Antrim, BT41 3AB (tel. 028 94473196) and will start at 1 PM

Rochester

Kevin Ashman, Trevor Montague, James Webb and Beverly Barber are all down to play. Don't forget that this event is out of kilter with the others and takes palce only one week after Ulster, on the 4th November. This is the last chance prior to final day that people in England will get a chance to qualify in their own country.

Scotland

Mick Foden and Keith Marshall have seen an opening here. There are ten more. Upon the Firth of Forth, about twenty minutes from Edinburgh, it is worth the trip to see the Scottish capital alone. I will be focussing more on this event after Kent.

Last round and final

have been moved to Kidlington Police Club. 8 km (5 miles) north of Oxford and 27 km (17 miles) south of Banbury, between the River Cherwell and the Oxford Canal. More details later. Still the same bat-time

What is good about QU12

Occasionaly I ponder what I am doing and why, and I have to assess the situation (I have my doubts). Writing to Darren (winner from Liverpool) the other day, I went through such a soul search and came up with this. There are some great quizzes that people can participate in around the country, all the quiz leagues (see the links page), the CIU quiz, The Brain of London etc., and I thoroughly recommend you try any of those. These are the reasons why I love QU12 and why anybody who enjoys quizzes might love QU12:

• Questions - Fantastic I hope!
• Openness - No selection
• Cost - Free if you want
• Prizes - £100 a session!!
• Communication - You're reading it
• Crack - Watch the films, come and enjoy the bits we don't show
• People - The best known quizzers in the country participate, but everybody who comes rocks.
• Coverage - Scotland, Ireland, Wales and all over England
• Delivery of promises - Easy one that.

Prices

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Overall

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The world is a beautiful place: make it better

Steve