Latest questions: 19 October 2021

These questions were inspired by those set for use in the Cup and Plate finals of the 2011–12 season in Stockport Quiz League, by the Chunky (Questions 1 to 13), the Printers (14 to 21) and the Crown (22 to 34).

The UK's half crown coin was demonetised on the 1st of January in which year?		1970
Elizabeth of Bohemia – also known as the Winter Queen – was the second child and eldest daughter of which King of England?		James I (James VI of Scotland)
Young Jimmy Gibson and his pet monkey, Mitch, became part of the team after being rescued in the first episode of which Gerry Anderson puppet adventure series?		Supercar
British athlete Richard Slaney carried his American fiancée Mary Decker from the track after her disastrous collision with Zola Budd in the final of the 3,000 metres event at the 1984 Summer Olympics. In what event did he compete?		Discus
Fish in the mola family (known scientifically as Molidae) grow up to 15 feet in length and over 2 tons in weight, making them the largest of the ray–finned bony fishes. Their bodies come to an end just behind the dorsal and anal fins, giving them a distinctive 'shortened' appearance. What's the alternative, more common name for these fishes?		Sunfishes
The Battle of Navarino, of 1827 – when an Ottoman and Egyptian fleet was heavily defeated by a combined Russian, British and French fleet – was a major turning point in the War of Independence fought by which European country?		Greece
PET scanning is a commonly–used technique in medical imaging. The E and the T stand for "emission tomography"; what does the P stand for?		Positron
Petri Hawkins–Byrd – better known simply as Byrd – is a long–serving assistant to which popular American television personality?		Judge Judy
Sir Arnold Wolfendale was the 14th person, and the last before the current incumbent, to hold what post – serving from 1991 to 1995?		Astronomer Royal
Which magazine was subtitled The London Charivari, in homage to a French magazine of that title?		Punch
Which popular BBC television presenter was a professional session drummer in the 1990s, working with the Average White Band, the Quireboys, and Dogs d'Amour (among others)?		Paul Martin
The Chorleywood process is used in the production of which foodstuff?		Bread
On standard fifty pence coins (when she is shown), what is Britannia holding out in her left hand?		An olive branch
Which moated manor house near Congleton, Cheshire, was built between 1504 and 1610 and is regarded as one of England's finest examples of timber–framed domestic architecture?		Little (or Old) Moreton Hall
In which English city is the Custard Factory – a 15–acre complex of shops, offices and leisure facilities, in the former home of the Bird's Custard company?		Birmingham
Which contemporary British artist keeps his childhood teddy bear, named Alan Measles, on a golden throne in his bedroom?		Grayson Perry
Howard Moon and Vince Noir, two eccentric failing musicians, were the central characters in which television comedy series – which also featured Naboo, a mystic alien shaman, and his 'familiar', a gorilla named Bollo?		The Mighty Boosh
What's the only horse to have won the Grand National and the Cheltenham Gold Cup in the same year?		Golden Miller (1934)
Who wrote the award–winning novels Restoration, Sacred Country, Music and Silence, The Road Home, Merivel: A Man of his Time, and The Gustav Sonata – all published between 1989 and 2016?		Rose Tremain
How did Colt Ventilation & Heating Ltd., headquartered in Surbiton, Surrey (now in Greater London), make headlines in 1968?		I'm Backing Britain
Which rank, first used in the British Army in the reign of James II but as a temporary rank only from 1740, was abolished in 1921? It was also used in the Royal Air Force, from its formation in April 1918, but replaced by Air Commodore in August 1919.		Brigadier–General
Which musical instrument, used extensively in West Africa, typically has 21 strings, which are played by plucking with the fingers?		The kora
Which 2011 comedy drama film, with an ensemble cast led by Judi Dench, was based on the 2004 novel These Foolish Things, by the English writer Deborah Moggach?		The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Which war drama television miniseries, first broadcast in 2001, was created and produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, following their success with the 1998 film Saving Private Ryan?		Band of Brothers
Which Lancashire–born cricketer, described by Bradman as the fastest bowler he'd seen, took 76 wickets in 17 Test matches in the 1950s, including 28 in the 1954–5 Ashes series?		Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson
Who starred as Igor, the hunchbacked servant of the title character, in Mel Brooks's 1974 film Young Frankenstein?		Marty Feldman
If you ordered huîtres in a French restaurant, what should you expect to be served?		Oysters
Which British singer–songwriter released three albums, between 1998 and 2012, under the title Mermaid Avenue, of songs featuring previously unpublished lyrics by Woody Guthrie – after being given access to his personal archive?		Billy Bragg
The song by Chris Rea, entitled The Road to Hell, was reputedly written about which British highway?		The M25
The British student quiz show University Challenge was inspired by which American programme that started nine years earlier, in 1953?		College (Quiz) Bowl
In the Superman stories, what's the name of the city where Clark Kent lives and works, and in which the stories are set ?		Metropolis
Which market town in West Yorkshire, named in reference to the stream that joins the River Calder there, has in recent years embraced the title of the UK's "lesbian capital"?		Hebden Bridge
Biman Airlines, founded in 1972, is the national 'flag carrier' of which Asian country?		Bangladesh
Which UK Prime Minister used the middle name Roy – by which he was christened, but which didn't appear on his birth certificate – until about ten years before taking office?		John Major

© Haydn Thompson 2021