Around 35 people gathered together in the Cornwallis suite at Canterbury’s St Lawrence Cricket Cricket Ground – the room just above our usual venue. We had quite a few guests including a couple who have recently moved to Canterbury from London – Clive and Karen Denham. Clive used to be a Rotarian in the Rotary Club of Islington, Highgate & Muswell Hill. He is a Paul Harris Fellow and was a previous District Governor.
The evening started with a “thought for the day” which touched on words by the great Chinese sage and philosopher, Confucius. It seems he’d said: “By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.” If he still lived today, he probably would have added a 4th method: Rotary quiz questions set by Ian Wright!
Before starting the quiz, Ian told us what a pleasure it was for him to return to Canterbury and that it was “really nice to be back amongst you all!” We were delighted to see him too. Ian has set us quizzes before and we’ve always enjoyed the challenge.
Ian’s quiz was divided into six rounds: transport, geography, odd one out, general knowledge, who or what comes next, and numbers. Each table formed a team and the joker was played to double up points in the round of choice. Tables marked each other’s answers and the points were totted up by President Tony Loughran. Ian reminded us that while there may be other answers, he would only accept those that he had – and that his decision was final!
Everyone enjoyed a fish and chip supper (or vegetarian option) in between rounds 3 & 4.
As usual, Ian’s quiz had attendees scratching their heads and having lively discussions over possible answers. Questions included:
- What is the most common mode of public transport in India?
- Which is the largest island of the Canary Islands?
- Which is the odd one out of the following: tibia, femur, ulna, fibula?
- How many “points” are there in the flags of Israel and Canada combined?
- George II, George III, George IV – who comes next?
- 461, 463, 467 – then what?
(Answers below).
At the end of the evening there was a tie for first place, so Ian threw out one more tie break question about the Canary Islands, which was won by Table 5. Well done to them! They each won a bottle of nice wine. The booby prize of a bottle of cheaper plonk went to Table 1 – to share!
As usual, we held our Rotary raffle to raise funds for Rotary’s campaign to eradicate polio.
A final point from the earlier thought for the day: Confucius also said “He who knows all the answers has not been asked all the questions.”
Answers:
- Tuk tuk.
- Tenerife.
- Ulna (the others are all leg bones, ulna is in the arm).
- 17 (The six points of the Star of David and the 11 points of the Maple Leaf in the Canadian flag).
- William IV.
- 479 (prime numbers).
Picture: Some of the members & guests attending the quiz night. Picture credit: Rotary Club of Canterbury.
