Orrell & District Quiz League

Paul McAteer has resigned as Chairman of the Orrell and District Quiz league. His resignation was accepted at tonight's Committee Meeting. John Winnard (Vice Chairman) is now acting Chairman. I would like express my and the Committee's gratitude for Paul's contribution to the Orrell Quiz League over the last six years. His impartiality, enthusiasm  and perspicacity will be missed.

It is with sadness that we have to announce the death of Bapi (Sri Amitayu) Bhabani, a long term member of the Running Horse Colts team, who passed away on May 26th.

The landlord of The Masons has felt it necessary to adjust its opening hours in accordance to the changing drinking habits of their customers. As a consequence the closing time on Mondays and Tuesdays has been altered such that 9:30 pm is the current and foreseeable closing time.

It is possible to complete quizzes between 45 minutes to 1 hour with a following wind, so could teams arrive at the Masons at the very latest by 8:30 pm (earlier if possible) so that the match has a decent chance of being completed.

The 2022 fixtures have been loaded to the fixtures calendar.  The first match is on 26th April.

There are several team changes:

Robin Hood are now called Running Horses and will play at the Running Horses.

Talbot/Turks Head Colts are now called "Doctor's Orders" and will play from The Cricketers Arms in St Helens

Merrymen will also now play at The Running Horses.

UVC Blues have also moved to the Cricketers Arms in St Helens and will be called "The Cricketers"

The original Delph Tavern team has folded, but are replaced by a new team (with some old faces) playing under the same name.

With Covid hopefully in retreat and the ending of restrictions, we are hoping to restart the Orrell Quiz league. There will be a meeting combining the annual AGM and registration meeting on Sunday 6th March at the Delph Tavern in Tontine, Orrell with an 8pm start. If you wish your team to participate, could you please check you have enough players to fulfil the fixtures and a venue that is willing to host and then attend the meeting on behalf of your team.  The season will run from early April until August depending on how many teams we have. 

I look forward to seeing you all - if you are a player short we may be able to help. 

Mike Unsworth ( Fixtures Secretary)

QITV are working on a brand new BBC1 quiz show and are looking for great contestants. They'd love to hear from some quiz enthusiasts so if you, or any of your fellow quizzers would be interested in the chance to win a cash prize then you can apply via the link below:

Apply for The Tournament

Unfortunately there is currently no way of coming in and out of the application once you've started it so, if you do want to apply, please do answer as many questions as you can until you get to the end. If you have any issues with the application then drop them a line.

Dear Delegates.

It is with regret that due to the ongoing situation, the committee has decided to call an end to the 2021 season.

In coming to this decision we have taken into consideration the responses received from those delegates who have replied and also the uncertainty of what action the government will take, if the increase in infection continues.

Once again we are sorry to have had to take this course of action, however I will keep in touch until the AGM and hopefully season 2022 will be able to go ahead next year

Take care of yourselves.

Gladys.

Due to the situation we find ourselves in, the committee have decided, after due consideration, that we will have to abandon all the fixtures, competitions and presentation evening this year. It is unfortunate, but the safety of our members is uppermost in our minds and some venues may not be able to accommodate teams as they will not have the room for the correct social distancing.

In view of this I would ask you to inform your team members and the landlords at your venues of our decision, so that no one will be expecting us for the rest of the season.

Any money paid into the league will carry over to next year, when we hope all the teams will be able to play again.

I will be in touch again if there are any changes and to advise you about the AGM and next season, in the meantime stay safe.

Gladys Lemin

Secretary

Babs Hennessy of Bryn Labour Club appeared on North West news today, talking about a forgotten war hero, Mary O'Shaughnessy of Ashton-in-Makerfield, who worked with the French resistance helping Allied airmen escape during WW2, and survived a German concentration camp.

Some details of Mary's life can be found here - http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/52/a2082052.shtml, and you can watch the piece here (from about 6 minutes in): https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000hlx2/north-west-today-lunchtime-news-20042020

In the light of the Prime Minister's statement late this afternoon, that people should avoid social gatherings in pubs etc, it is with regret that we must postpone all matches for the foreseeable future. Should the situation improve we would consider playing the second half fixtures and that then would constitute the league season. When and if that happens it would be impossible to speculate. Please stay safe - your health is more important to us than a quiz!