Planning will begin in earnest this week in preparation for the Oxford Mail sponsored Oxfordshire Winter Quiz Leagues 2015/16, beginning on October 29th.

A slightly larger gig than its summer equivalent, a number of teams who have been in hibernation these past five months will be welcomed back in a format that is likely to embrace a Premier Division and then three other sections composed principally on geographical parameters.

Regrettably, no new teams have entered this time around although the Bell (Lower Heyford), who took a sabbatical 12 months ago, are returning, having experienced a somewhat indifferent season in the recently completed summer campaign.

They may consider four wins from 14 starts an OK-ish return, but they did come mighty close last Thursday to securing some silverware in the grand finale, the Janet Priest/Laurence Stevens Memorial Trophy, named in tribute to two former members of the Gardener’s Arms (North Parade), now sadly departed.

In a tightly fought affair, they had their collective noses in front after three rounds with the Bletchingdon Nomads hot on their heels followed by the hosts, the North Oxford Conservative Club (Summertown), with the Royal Sun (Begbroke) in fourth.

Unfortunately for “Big H” and his Heyford posse (although most of them hail from Kirtlington!), they were sensationally relieved of their advantage by those pea-munching, wily old foxes from the Seacourt Bridge (Botley), who burst into the lead in round four, held off all determined challenges thereafter and prevailed with 170 points, three ahead of the Bell with the Con Club two points further back in third.

Premiership behemoths, the Plough and the Ploughman’s Bunch! (Wolvercote stablemates), finished among the also rans!

As is customary at this event, various gongs were handed out to Divisional and Tabletop winners with home skipper, Rob Coles, duly dishing out the awards.

Thank you to him, to photographer Beth, Uncle Rupert for reading the questions, and to James for setting them and then helping “Rupey Poops” with the scoring. Thank you also to the Con Club for staging the jamboree and especially for the magnificent half-time chilli from which I spotted “The Cat”, looking as if fresh from a job interview, resplendent in blue suit and pink shirt, helping himself to at least fourths!

Finally, we offer our appreciation to this revered journal for its continued support as well as to all the landlords and stewards who sponsor, feed and water our participants.

Role of Honour Summer 2015
* Premier Division: Plough
* Division One: Green Road Club (Kidlington)
* Premier Division Blockbuster: Plough
* Division One Blockbuster: Green Road Club

Tabletops
* 1990s: Royal Blenheim (Oxford City)
* Music: Royal Blenheim
* History: Ploughman’s Bunch!
* Literature: Plough
* Crime: Plough
* Janet Priest/Laurence Stevens Memorial: Seacourt Bridge

JAMES CARR'S QUESTIONS
* Which UK No.1 hit includes the line ‘They were funky Chinamen from funky Chinatown’?
* Oenophilia is the love of what? 
* Who wrote the poem The Village Blacksmith in 1840? 
* Which cricketer who sadly died in 2015 was the youngest man ever to play Test cricket for England?

Answers: Kung Fu Fighting; wine; Henry W. Longfellow; Brian Close