As the sun sets on another year, why not take time out to see if you can win some fine Brownhills ale?
This post is pinned to the top until the quiz ends – new articles will appear below.
It’s been a long time in the making, but great fun – here it is, the Brownhills Blog New Year 2014 quiz. Get stuck in and see if you can win! Last year’s was a great success, so I’ve made this one bigger and hopefully better…
Answers to most of the questions can be found in the past articles of this blog, my 365daysofbiking tumblr, or by going for a walk and exploring. I have included lots of reference questions, so that those living locally and those distant both have a fair crack.
Many questions can be answered using Google Streetview, too. Think laterally. Wikipedia may be handy, as will the search box on the right.
If an answer seems obvious, it probably is…
Just to make it interesting, I’ll offer the prize of a case of Backyard Beer (or something nice to equal value if you’re a non-drinker) to the winner. There will also be sub prizes of books to people who come up with particularly good answers, or who otherwise impress. The books will go on a totally arbitrary basis for contributions that catch my eye.
Readers have set a few questions, obviously I won’t accept answers from the question setters to their own questions… but longstanding readers and commenters are very welcome to participate.
To give everyone a sporting chance, comments will not open until 7pm tonight, 29th December 2013.
Points will be awarded to the first person to comment the correct answer to any question. All questions worth one point unless stated. After that, no points will be handed out for answering it again. I will tot up the scores as we go. Answers will only be accepted as comments to this post, and my decision will be open and final.
Remember to include the number of the question in your comment, otherwise it won’t be counted!
Don’t worry if your comment is held in moderation, I will take the submission time if necessary.
I don’t expect anyone to get lots right. I think the questions are diverse enough that a fairly low score might well win – so do have a go. If the result is a draw, I’ll hold a tie breaker. What form that will take will depend on the result. Please just take a punt, and have fun.
The competition will close at 9pm, Sunday 5th January 2013, but I’ll leave it for fun, reference and interest. My decisions will be final, and I’m doing this for fun. Please be sporting.
All images are from Brownhills and Walsall Wood.
Good luck!
Q1: Reader Andy Dennis asks: ‘Where was the photographer standing to take the above photo’?
Q2: Who got into trouble with the coppers for lighting his pipe?
Q3: What are ‘Batters’ and where did the term originate?
Q4: Reader Andy Dennis asks: ‘Where can you find the above detail’?
Q5: Where is the patch of wasteland I pass on my travels, whose flowers fascinate me?
Q6: What ailment somewhat unfortunately prevented W.E. Harrison from seeing active service in the Great war?
Q7: Where is this ornate woodwork?
Q8: How much electrical power did it take to supply Aldridge and Walsall in 1949?
Q9: What is the above object marked with the fluorescent tape?
Q10: Where can it be found?
Q11: Which Walsall gentlewoman ‘…faced death a hundred times’ according to a gazetteer writer?
Q12: Just visible from the pile of leaves, an OS flush bracket benchmark. Where is it?
Q13: Where did Captain Peake live?
Q14: Another OS flush bracket benchmark. Where is this one?
Q15: In March, who did I spot in Pelsall, apparently about to drive off in a blue van?
Q16: This gutterbowl isn’t original, but where can it be found?
Q17: What didn’t Banksman Collier John Hill like?
Q18: Where can the above metalwork be seen? For a bonus point, what’s special about the structure it’s attached to?
Q19 Where and what was the Dolric?
Q20: This large slab is lying in the grass at the canal side at the top of the bank to the new pond at Clayhanger. What is it the remains of? (Clue: this isn’t a foundation; it has been left lying here)
Q21: Shire Oak historian Clive Roberts asks ‘What year did Shire Oak Brewery win the Gold Award’?
Q22: This weathervane and bellcote is a new addition to the roofline. Where is it?
Q23: What cheesy film did the Burntwood Bluebirds Jazz band feature in?
Q24: Where is this bridge?
Q25: It has a colloquial name. What was it?
Q26: Where did Audrey’s Dad have his allotment?
Q27: A recently renovated local milepost. How many miles to Lichfield and Derby?
Q28: Which town is marked on the other side?
Q29: What was the cafe called that David Oakley recalled at The Bullstake?
Q30: Where is this odd feature?
Q31: It actually has a basic and important function – describe what that is.
Q32: What is the normal surface level of the Wyrley & Essington canal?
Q33: Where are these sinister-looking gates?
Q34: What specific hazard does the yellow sign warn of?
Q35: On July 28th 1925, who visited St. John’s School, Walsall Wood?
Q36: What is this brickwork the remains of?
Q37: What is my favourite term for polished gravel and detritus that forms a common road hazard after bad weather?
Q38: I will give a book prize (plus a point) to anyone who can tell me which Brownhills public building this OS Benchmark is carved upon, and whereabouts it is on that building. Most precise answer wins.
Q39: An oddly truncated window. Where?
Q40: Reader Warren Parry asks: ‘What is the rather industrial name given to the Green ‘saddle tank’ steam engine, based at Chasewater railway’?
Q41: Groovy mosaic. Where can this be seen?
Q42: Who made the ‘NIPTA’ box?
Q43: From David Evans. Where the devil is this? (My, that’s a good one!)
Q44: Where is this chimney stack?
Q45: In the context of it’s surroundings, it’s unusual. Why?
Q46: Reader Tony Winn asks: What was the name of the Formula 1 racing driver who lived locally until his death in 1989 at the age of 82?
Q47: Not far away from Q44, this plastic raptor on a TV aerial – where is it?
Q48: Local historian and Shire Oak expert Clive Roberts asks: ‘What is the name of the building that houses the D.E.I Convenience Store on Freizland Lane, Shire Oak’?
Q49: Where’s this?
Q50: What caused it?
Q51: David Evans asks: What were ‘Boyproofs’?
Q52: Where is this sinister-looking, head-spinning owl?
Q53: What was the number of the motorbike being run up at Mallory Park in 2007?
Q55: Who was the champion pig roaster making tummies rumble at Brownhills Carnival in 1934?