Well, Thursday's quiz is almost finished all but a little tweaking. I've also updated the rules sheet and I should have the new picture completed in time for when we have used up the last ones. (There's only two left.) I want to introduce something new as soon as possible that is based on a suggestion from John of VCJD (see below.) My only real concern is who is going to collect the money and look after it. Enjoy your evening and I shall see you all in the New Year.

The Leprechaun's Pot 'O' Gold

Separate from the main quiz, This is for individuals. Basically you pay £1 to enter and I will ask a tough question. The nearest person to the answer wins half “Me Pot ‘O’ Gold”. Get it spot on and You win the lot and I hop around cursing you! At the end of the month if the pot hasn’t been won, the nearest answer claims the lot!

Three for Fun (Friday's answers)

The name of the Japanese speciality of batter-dipped, deep-fried pieces of fish or vegetables is Tempura.

The US retailing giant known by the acronym GUS is Great Universal Stores.

The term, for an informal, non-standard and allegedly classless English spoken by young people, takes its name from the accent's origins on the banks of the Thames in Essex and Kent is Estuary English.

Today's questions (answers on Friday)

1. Which town - famous in song - is the county town of Kerry in Ireland?

2. What term is used to describe those criminal offences which are tried only by magistrates without a jury?

3. 'In a Summer Garden', 'walk to the Paradise Garden' and 'On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring': who is their English composer?

Joke Of The Day:First Day at School...

It was the first day of 3rd grade, and a new school for Johnny. As a test, the teacher went around the room and asked each of the students to count to 50.
Some did very well, counting as high as 30 and 40 with just a few mistakes.
Others couldn't get past 20.
Johnny, however, did extremely well. He counted past 50, right up to 83. He was so excited that he ran home and told his Dad how well he had done. His Dad nodded and told him, "That's because you are from Alabama, son."
The next day, in language class, the teacher asked the students to recite the alphabet. Most made it about half way through without much trouble. Some made it to M and N, but Johnny rattled off the alphabet right to W.
That evening, Johnny once again bragged to his Dad about his prowess in his new school. His Dad, knowingly, explained to him, "Son, that's because you are from Alabama."
The next day, after Physical Education, the boys were taking showers. Johnny noted that, compared to the other boys in his grade, he seemed overly well endowed. This confused him. That night he told his dad, "Dad, they all have little tiny ones, but mine is ten times bigger than theirs. Is that because I'm from Alabama,?" he asked.
"No, son," explained his Dad, "That's because you're 18."