The first proper winter snowfall and it all seemed to be going wrong: Becky was supposed to be playing but had had an exhausting day and rang to ask if Sunil could play instead; then Bob rang – he was snowed in up in the hills above town and couldn’t make it. And we were to play the Harrington B team in the lovely old pub the Harrington Arms in Gawsworth – an absolute treasure. Originally a farmhouse it was converted to a pub in 1710 but the farming business continued; for many years it was run by the magnificent Mrs Bailey, herself a Cheshire treasure and the reason there are so many hilarious stories about visitors to the pub. Following Mrs Bailey’s death the farm business was detached and it is now a warm friendly pub still belonging to Robinsons brewery.
Fortunately both Sunil and Becky were able to play and Tomo ploughed through the snow to face the home team. The Dizzy Blonde was on top form and a warm welcome awaited us.
The Robin Hood had set both sets of questions that were well received but one question in particular fooled both teams and the question masters as all believed that the division of Korea could not possibly have taken place in 1945 and the
given answer must be a typo for 1954 (the answer given by the home team). On checking later however we found the printed answer was correct and there was a hurried rewriting of the scores. All was done in a friendly and humorous atmosphere and it was a most enjoyable evening.
At the end of the Specialist, the Lemmings had slipped ahead with 48 to 41, but did not fare so well in the General Knowledge which they lost with 62 to the home team’s 64 – final score 110 to 106 to the visitors. An interesting point is that there was a surprising number of successful pass-overs with both teams picking up around 20. Individual scores were Sunil 6/15, Becky 6/3, Nick 12/9 Tomo 12/12, conferred 6/9 with 6/14 pass-overs. The Harrington picked up 9/12 pass-overs.
Throughout the game, anxious eyes were kept on the window as it continued to snow but a generous selection of tasty sandwiches set up the visitors for the slalom home Many thanks to the very friendly bar staff, to the home team and to the patient question masters for a most enjoyable game.
The Lemmings trudged across Waters Green in a biting wind and stinging drizzle to the cavernous Nags Head probably built originally to provide shelter for drovers, shepherds and cattlemen bringing their livestock to market – for many years it has been a popular venue for music and is the meeting place for
beer break the Lemmings were trailing with 38 to 41 – not going too well!! Time to buckle down and ensure no points were thrown away. This the Lemmings managed taking the General Knowledge with 74 to 71 taking the game with 128 to 118.
seemed far too much. We thought they were pretty good and marked them quite highly although two rounds in particular would favour older players – one with questions from the 
The Lemmings ventured over the border into Staffordshire for the first game of the second half of the League. The Royal Oak has seen some difficult times fairly recently when owned by Marstons but the community and some businesses set up a cooperative and
The halfway stage and the local derby between the Lemmings and the Rams on the home turf in the Waters Green Tavern. The Rams currently vying for first place with the Nags Head (who have set tonight’s GK questions) with a game in hand. Becky was playing to bring the team to full strength and soon made a name for herself as the team’s number one guesser.
and New Year and the Lemmings would like to wish all teams and members a very happy break and may 2018 bring all you hope for.
final score 139 to 129.
It was a pleasure to offer a warm welcome to the Harrington B who were promoted to the B League at the end of last season – it is quite some time since we played a team from the Harrington Arms in Gawsworth and we are looking forward to the return game in this historic pub.
On a very cold evening the Nags Head this week had to cross the Waters Green again after meeting our sister team the Rams last week. The Lemmings once more had Becky playing after a firm first appearance the previous week. The Nags are old friends one of whom (Andrew) made an impressive appearance on the TV quiz 15 to 1 earlier in the year.
Brian and Stephen then provided an excellent chicken curry with naan and rice that was very good indeed – a sort of celebratory feast for the Rams and a consolation for the Lemmings – thank you Brian and Stephen, to the Rams for an enjoyable evening and to the question master who showed fairness and quiet humour.
The lengthening days and shadows herald the dawn of spring but also the twilight of winter – and the season for the Macclesfield Pub Quiz League. Just two more games - tonight’s against old
friends the Park Taverners.
flecting Matt’s interests were displayed on the pump clips with a wide selection of refreshments including a never to be forgotten fruit cake.