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Fantastic questions GT, and a fitting end to this thread I think. It was a great idea of Ian’s, and I enjoyed getting to see another side of some of the people behind the usernames.
I wouldn’t hold on for me to have a go at this final set as I’m struggling for time too at present, but I will return to read the answers with interest.
Okay Mark, I’ll do it in two steps. Here are my first 15 answers.
Q1: David Frost of “hello, good evening and welcome” fame and his family, used to send my family (including me) a Christmas card. -> TRUE (I don’t think your and his family were that close, but maybe through one of his foundations you received a Christmas card)
Q2: My maternal grandfather’s last job before retiring was for an actor who later starred in the film The King’s Speech. -> TRUE (Could have be something like a housemaid)
Q3: An actor who later starred in the film The King’s Speech went to the same college as my brother.
-> FALSE (That would be too much relation to The King’s Speech)Q4: My brother once pushed me down the slope of an ancient long barrow which left me unconscious. -> FALSE (Wouldn’t expect your brother to have done such a thing)
Q5: My grandfather was invalided out of the British Army with malaria. -> TRUE (A lot of terrible things could have to your grandfather, including that snake bite that never was)
Q6: The first day of my first job was spent working for one of the most popular pin up girls of the British Army. -> FALSE (I think it’s just a fantasy)
Q7: I fitted carpets in the penthouse home of an ex-boss of Formula 1 team McClaren. -> TRUE (Why else would you come up with an ex-F1 boss?)
Q8: Me and my family once spent Christmas and New Year as the only inhabitants of a property recently sold for over 10 million pounds. -> FALSE (Unless you had to get some work finished in there, it has to be false)
Q9: I have five winners’ trophies on my mantle piece from the annual Racing Quiz Night (that I told you about in my first list of T&Fs). TRUE (I think you are a frequent quizzer)
Q10: A watercolour I painted myself of Chief Singer hangs in my study. FALSE (If it’s not that good, in fact excellent, you wouldn’t show it to others)
Q11: On a visit to Bath Racecourse I backed a winner there whose only other career victory was in a Group 1. -> FALSE (I was thinking Lochangel who won a Nunthorpe and a race at Bath, but she won a third race in her career as well. And right now I can’t think of any other horse that might fit into that)
Q12: Celtic Swing’s trainer Lady Herries once told me I should give up gambling. -> FALSE (Can’t find a proper reason for that)
Q13: I backed Slip Anchor @ 16/1 ante-post for the 1985 Derby and a prize possession on my wall is a photo of me patting this wonderful horse, in his paddock at Plantation Stud Newmarket. -> TRUE (Sounds possible)
Q14: The only Classic I have ever been there in person to see was Zafonic’’s brilliant run away 2000 Guineas victory in 1993. -> FALSE (I think you’ve been at Epsom as well)
Q15: After going Racing there, I once jogged around the track at Wincanton. Taking useful distance and gradient information on my Garmin watch. -> TRUE (Why not jogging around the track after Racing?)
I’ve been locked out for a week. Nathan contacted David and he gave me a password to get back in today. I’ve not been ignoring you guys and my laptop died. I get one delivered on Tuesday. Great effort by you guys
Welcome back BigG. I’ll need until Tuesday or Wednesday to get my other fifteen statements right. Hope you’ll join us as well.
Mark, it’s a pleasure to have a go at your statements. just hope someone else joins in as well.
Q1: FALSE
Q2: TRUE
Q3: FALSE
Q4: TRUE
Q5: TRUE
Q6: FALSE
Q7: FALSE
Q8: TRUE
Q9: TRUE
Q10: TRUE
Q11: TRUE
Q12: FALSE
Q13: TRUE
Q14: FALSE
Q15: FALSE
Q16: FALSE
Q17: TRUE
Q18: TRUE
Q19: TRUE
Q20: FALSE
Q21: TRUE
Q22: FALSE
Q23: FALSE
Q24: TRUE
Q25: FALSE
Q26: TRUE
Q27: FALSE
Q28: FALSE
Q29: FALSE
Q30: TRUE
Ok, I’ve got my thinking cap on
There are 30 Questions and like the original rules half are True and half are False. You no longer need to do your own list if winning, so have a go if you so wish. Or just enjoy reading. If nothing else it’s a fitting end to Ian’s thread.
Q1: David Frost of “hello, good evening and welcome” fame and his family, used to send my family (including me) a Christmas card.
I reckon you’ve rubbed shoulders with a few celebrities Ginge…..TRUE
Q2: My maternal grandfather’s last job before retiring was for an actor who later starred in the film The King’s Speech.
Could have been The King And I …FALSE
Q3: An actor who later starred in the film The King’s Speech went to the same college as my brother.
Sounds feasible….TRUE
Q4: My brother once pushed me down the slope of an ancient long barrow which left me unconscious.
That blow to the head explains a few things ….TRUE
Q5: My grandfather was invalided out of the British Army with malaria.
I’m hoping not, horrible disease….FALSE
Q6: The first day of my first job was spent working for one of the most popular pin up girls of the British Army.
Love to hear more…..TRUE
Q7: I fitted carpets in the penthouse home of an ex-boss of Formula 1 team McClaren.
I seem to recall something about this ….TRUE
Q8: Me and my family once spent Christmas and New Year as the only inhabitants of a property recently sold for over 10 million pounds.
You probably bought it ….TRUE
Q9: I have five winners’ trophies on my mantle piece from the annual Racing Quiz Night (that I told you about in my first list of T&Fs).
I know you won there, but 5?…FALSE
Q10: A watercolour I painted myself of Chief Singer hangs in my study.
I reckon you dabble with the paints, being an arty type ….TRUE
Q11: On a visit to Bath Racecourse I backed a winner there whose only other career victory was in a Group 1.
I reckon you could have ….TRUE
Q12: Celtic Swing’s trainer Lady Herries once told me I should give up gambling.
She must be off her head….FALSE
Q13: I backed Slip Anchor @ 16/1 ante-post for the 1985 Derby and a prize possession on my wall is a photo of me patting this wonderful horse, in his paddock at Plantation Stud Newmarket.
Absolutely true
Q14: The only Classic I have ever been there in person to see was Zafonic’’s brilliant run away 2000 Guineas victory in 1993.
I think you’ll have been to more….FALSE
Q15: After going Racing there, I once jogged around the track at Wincanton. Taking useful distance and gradient information on my Garmin watch.
I would put money on it….TRUE
Q16: I both backed Little Owl when he won the 1981 Cheltenham Gold Cup and rescued a real little owl bird in our garden.
Prolific gambler and big softy…TRUE
Q17: I used to be the school bookmaker on Grand National day and in 1980 a Scottish kid cost me. Having 10p each way @ 50/1 Ben Nevis.
LOL, as he was Scottish….TRUE
Q18: The first time I ever went racing I saw a horse now recognised as an all time great, start favourite yet finish unplaced.
POSSIBLE….TRUE
Q19: The only plane I have ever been on is concorde.
Unlikely ….FALSE
Q20: In my lifetime I have been on more steam train journeys than by trains powered by all other sources combined.
I don’t think I’ve been on a train in 40 years….TRUE
Q21: I am related to an actor who was a main character in the TV sitcom Terry And June, alongside Terry Scott and June Whitfield.
I reckon it was Faulty Towers….FALSE
Q22: The secret of my gambling success can now be revealed.
I am “related” to a Dr Who (I suppose you could say more than one Dr Who).
We regularly use the Tardis to go back in time to back winners.
(Nah, only the second line of Q22 counts for this competition).Explains a lot….True
Q23: I went to a normal comprehensive school. But I could have gone to a famous public school paid in full by a 17th century relative.
Intriguing….TRUE
Q24: I stole the answers to a school questionnaire about a visit to the National History museum… And filled in my questionnaire before I stepped inside the museum.
Scoundrel….TRUE
Q25: At school, when a teacher told me I had to do “lines” as punishment, I protested and was given an alternative – right then – of going to the headmaster for the cane. I chose the cane. Later returning to the class rubbing my bum, although I’d actually been hit on the left hand.
Sounds a bit fetishy….FALSE
Q26: In a lesson at school, we had to “write a letter to someone”. Many chose Jimmy Saville! (Jim’ll Fix It). Thankfully I chose Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and got a reply back from 10 Downing Street.
Aaarrgh, I hope not….FALSE
Q27: A close up picture of my cuddly toy panda dressed in my school uniform (he’s about 60cm / 2ft tall) was shown on TV; when I was in the audience of the kids quiz show “Runaround”.
BIZARRE…FALSE
Q28: At school, I got into trouble for throwing a paper aeroplane which hit my teacher on the back of the head.
Sounds like a young you….TRUE
Q29: At school, I got into trouble for a comment I made about a female teacher having oral sex.
Surely not !!!….FALSE
Q30: After a meal at Fleet M3 Motorway Services my car was nowhere to be seen in the car park so I reported it stolen… When I told the police where I was headed, he asked me if I’d walked across the motorway footbridge to the restaurant. Oops
LOL, that’s just got to be ….True
My 5 min entry..Im not worried if its not 15/15 true false. Just thought Id have a stab.
Q1: David Frost of “hello, good evening and welcome” fame and his family, used to send my family (including me) a Christmas card.
True..he likes your carpets
Q2: My maternal grandfather’s last job before retiring was for an actor who later starred in the film The King’s Speech.
True
Q3: An actor who later starred in the film The King’s Speech went to the same college as my brother.
True
Q4: My brother once pushed me down the slope of an ancient long barrow which left me unconscious.
True
Q5: My grandfather was invalided out of the British Army with malaria.
True. Was he in India circa 1945?
Q6: The first day of my first job was spent working for one of the most popular pin up girls of the British Army.
No False, your partner would not like to see this post.
Q7: I fitted carpets in the penthouse home of an ex-boss of Formula 1 team McClaren.
False Too high
Q8: Me and my family once spent Christmas and New Year as the only inhabitants of a property recently sold for over 10 million pounds.
True.
Q9: I have five winners’ trophies on my mantle piece from the annual Racing Quiz Night (that I told you about in my first list of T&Fs).
False
Q10: A watercolour I painted myself of Chief Singer hangs in my study.
True
Q11: On a visit to Bath Racecourse I backed a winner there whose only other career victory was in a Group 1.
False
Q12: Celtic Swing’s trainer Lady Herries once told me I should give up gambling.
A trainer is always correct..True
Q13: I backed Slip Anchor @ 16/1 ante-post for the 1985 Derby and a prize possession on my wall is a photo of me patting this wonderful horse, in his paddock at Plantation Stud Newmarket.
True
Q14: The only Classic I have ever been there in person to see was Zafonic’’s brilliant run away 2000 Guineas victory in 1993.
False
Q15: After going Racing there, I once jogged around the track at Wincanton. Taking useful distance and gradient information on my Garmin watch.
False
Q16: I both backed Little Owl when he won the 1981 Cheltenham Gold Cup and rescued a real little owl bird in our garden.
True
Q17: I used to be the school bookmaker on Grand National day and in 1980 a Scottish kid cost me. Having 10p each way @ 50/1 Ben Nevis.
True
Q18: The first time I ever went racing I saw a horse now recognised as an all time great, start favourite yet finish unplaced.
False
Q19: The only plane I have ever been on is concorde.
Hmm..Id say false
Q20: In my lifetime I have been on more steam train journeys than by trains powered by all other sources combined.
False
Q21: I am related to an actor who was a main character in the TV sitcom Terry And June, alongside Terry Scott and June Whitfield.
False
Q22: The secret of my gambling success can now be revealed.
I am “related” to a Dr Who (I suppose you could say more than one Dr Who).
We regularly use the Tardis to go back in time to back winners.
(Nah, only the second line of Q22 counts for this competition).
True
Q23: I went to a normal comprehensive school. But I could have gone to a famous public school paid in full by a 17th century relative.
True
Q24: I stole the answers to a school questionnaire about a visit to the National History museum… And filled in my questionnaire before I stepped inside the museum.
False
Q25: At school, when a teacher told me I had to do “lines” as punishment, I protested and was given an alternative – right then – of going to the headmaster for the cane. I chose the cane. Later returning to the class rubbing my bum, although I’d actually been hit on the left hand.
False
Q26: In a lesson at school, we had to “write a letter to someone”. Many chose Jimmy Saville! (Jim’ll Fix It). Thankfully I chose Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and got a reply back from 10 Downing Street.
True
Q27: A close up picture of my cuddly toy panda dressed in my school uniform (he’s about 60cm / 2ft tall) was shown on TV; when I was in the audience of the kids quiz show “Runaround”.
Daft..thats false
Q28: At school, I got into trouble for throwing a paper aeroplane which hit my teacher on the back of the head.
Only trouble with the teacher, the rest of the class will have given you high 5’s..False
Q29: At school, I got into trouble for a comment I made about a female teacher having oral sex.
Naughty boy..its false I hope
Q30: After a meal at Fleet M3 Motorway Services my car was nowhere to be seen in the car park so I reported it stolen… When I told the police where I was headed, he asked me if I’d walked across the motorway footbridge to the restaurant. Oops
100% True..Ive heard similar..Thanks for having a go Homer, BigG and Landafar.
I love some of the comments. LOL
Value Is EverythingOkay, sorry for the delay. Here is my 2nd part of the answers:
Q16: I both backed Little Owl when he won the 1981 Cheltenham Gold Cup and rescued a real little owl bird in our garden. -> FALSE (Would be too much of a coincidence)
Q17: I used to be the school bookmaker on Grand National day and in 1980 a Scottish kid cost me. Having 10p each way @ 50/1 Ben Nevis. -> TRUE (Sounds possible and by the way, he won the race that year)
Q18: The first time I ever went racing I saw a horse now recognised as an all time great, start favourite yet finish unplaced. -> FALSE (Can’t think of any under bodes codes now, so I guess it’s not true)
Q19: The only plane I have ever been on is concorde. -> TRUE (possibly you’re a non-flying person, but visited one in a museum)
Q20: In my lifetime I have been on more steam train journeys than by trains powered by all other sources combined. -> FALSE (I believe you could be a train fan, but I still don’t believe this)
Q21: I am related to an actor who was a main character in the TV sitcom Terry And June, alongside Terry Scott and June Whitfield. -> FALSE
Q22: The secret of my gambling success can now be revealed.
I am “related” to a Dr Who (I suppose you could say more than one Dr Who).
We regularly use the Tardis to go back in time to back winners.
(Nah, only the second line of Q22 counts for this competition). -> FALSE (Not sure this relation would be relevant considering your gambling success)Q23: I went to a normal comprehensive school. But I could have gone to a famous public school paid in full by a 17th century relative. -> TRUE (But, just guessing)
Q24: I stole the answers to a school questionnaire about a visit to the National History museum… And filled in my questionnaire before I stepped inside the museum. -> FALSE (Why would you do that?)
Q25: At school, when a teacher told me I had to do “lines” as punishment, I protested and was given an alternative – right then – of going to the headmaster for the cane. I chose the cane. Later returning to the class rubbing my bum, although I’d actually been hit on the left hand. -> TRUE (This would sound like you)
Q26: In a lesson at school, we had to “write a letter to someone”. Many chose Jimmy Saville! (Jim’ll Fix It). Thankfully I chose Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and got a reply back from 10 Downing Street. -> TRUE
Q27: A close up picture of my cuddly toy panda dressed in my school uniform (he’s about 60cm / 2ft tall) was shown on TV; when I was in the audience of the kids quiz show “Runaround”. -> TRUE
Q28: At school, I got into trouble for throwing a paper aeroplane which hit my teacher on the back of the head. -> TRUE (I threw all kinds of stuff at my teachers)
Q29: At school, I got into trouble for a comment I made about a female teacher having oral sex. -> FALSE (You could have made other comments, but not this one)
Q30: After a meal at Fleet M3 Motorway Services my car was nowhere to be seen in the car park so I reported it stolen… When I told the police where I was headed, he asked me if I’d walked across the motorway footbridge to the restaurant. TRUE
Thanks ERL,
You have one spot on.Anyone else?
Come on you know you want to.
It’s better competition than Eurovision.
Value Is EverythingQ1: David Frost of “hello, good evening and welcome” fame and his family, used to send my family (including me) a Christmas card.
TRUE
Q2: My maternal grandfather’s last job before retiring was for an actor who later starred in the film The King’s Speech.
FALSE
Q3: An actor who later starred in the film The King’s Speech went to the same college as my brother.
TRUE
Q4: My brother once pushed me down the slope of an ancient long barrow which left me unconscious.
TRUE, all siblings do daft things to each other at some point or other.
Q5: My grandfather was invalided out of the British Army with malaria.
TRUE, every chace he was stationed somewhere it was prevalent
Q6: The first day of my first job was spent working for one of the most popular pin up girls of the British Army.
FALSE, I need to save some trues.
Q7: I fitted carpets in the penthouse home of an ex-boss of Formula 1 team McClaren.
TRUE, Ron Dennis possibly? He could certainly afford a penthouse.
Q8: Me and my family once spent Christmas and New Year as the only inhabitants of a property recently sold for over 10 million pounds.
FALSE
Q9: I have five winners’ trophies on my mantle piece from the annual Racing Quiz Night (that I told you about in my first list of T&Fs).
TRUE, I reckon you’re more than capable of that.
Q10: A watercolour I painted myself of Chief Singer hangs in my study.
FALSE
Q11: On a visit to Bath Racecourse I backed a winner there whose only other career victory was in a Group 1.
FALSE
Q12: Celtic Swing’s trainer Lady Herries once told me I should give up gambling.
TRUE, what does she know?!
Q13: I backed Slip Anchor @ 16/1 ante-post for the 1985 Derby and a prize possession on my wall is a photo of me patting this wonderful horse, in his paddock at Plantation Stud Newmarket.
FALSE
Q14: The only Classic I have ever been there in person to see was Zafonic’’s brilliant run away 2000 Guineas victory in 1993.
TRUE, easily possible you’ve rarely attended in person.
Q15: After going Racing there, I once jogged around the track at Wincanton. Taking useful distance and gradient information on my Garmin watch.
FALSE, perhaps a little too GT to be true?
Q16: I both backed Little Owl when he won the 1981 Cheltenham Gold Cup and rescued a real little owl bird in our garden.
TRUE, lovely story if so.
Q17: I used to be the school bookmaker on Grand National day and in 1980 a Scottish kid cost me. Having 10p each way @ 50/1 Ben Nevis.
I can definitely see this being TRUE.
Q18: The first time I ever went racing I saw a horse now recognised as an all time great, start favourite yet finish unplaced.
FALSE
Q19: The only plane I have ever been on is concorde.
TRUE, competition prize possibly?
Q20: In my lifetime I have been on more steam train journeys than by trains powered by all other sources combined.
FALSE, unless you go on a lot of steam trains or almost never use them otherwise.
Q21: I am related to an actor who was a main character in the TV sitcom Terry And June, alongside Terry Scott and June Whitfield.
FALSE
Q22: The secret of my gambling success can now be revealed.
I am “related” to a Dr Who (I suppose you could say more than one Dr Who).
We regularly use the Tardis to go back in time to back winners.
(Nah, only the second line of Q22 counts for this competition).TRUE
Q23: I went to a normal comprehensive school. But I could have gone to a famous public school paid in full by a 17th century relative.
FALSE
Q24: I stole the answers to a school questionnaire about a visit to the National History museum… And filled in my questionnaire before I stepped inside the museum.
TRUE
Q25: At school, when a teacher told me I had to do “lines” as punishment, I protested and was given an alternative – right then – of going to the headmaster for the cane. I chose the cane. Later returning to the class rubbing my bum, although I’d actually been hit on the left hand.
TRUE, love it
Q26: In a lesson at school, we had to “write a letter to someone”. Many chose Jimmy Saville! (Jim’ll Fix It). Thankfully I chose Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and got a reply back from 10 Downing Street.
FALSE, another one that is perhaps a bit too GT.
Q27: A close up picture of my cuddly toy panda dressed in my school uniform (he’s about 60cm / 2ft tall) was shown on TV; when I was in the audience of the kids quiz show “Runaround”.
FALSE
Q28: At school, I got into trouble for throwing a paper aeroplane which hit my teacher on the back of the head.
FALSE, had to change one after miscounting and 29 is way better so that stays true.
Q29: At school, I got into trouble for a comment I made about a female teacher having oral sex.
TRUE
Q30: After a meal at Fleet M3 Motorway Services my car was nowhere to be seen in the car park so I reported it stolen… When I told the police where I was headed, he asked me if I’d walked across the motorway footbridge to the restaurant. Oops
FALSE
Thanks for having a go, Richard.
Due to some personal stuff I’m not going to have much time over the next week or so, so I’ll give anyone else who wants to enter until Wednesday 29th May.
Value Is EverythingThanks to the 5 of you who gave this a go, Here are the answers with explanations.
Q1: David Frost of “hello, good evening and welcome” fame and his family, used to send my family (including me) a Christmas card
I thought some of you might have thought it was a David Frost, but “the” David Frost was a customer of ours, we supplied and fitted carpets to his Michelmersh Court home. Only the three of us in the business. My Dad and I doing the carpets, with Mum as secretary / unofficial “boss”. Yes, David and his family showed their appreciation by sending us a Chtistmas card. TRUE (See Q12)
Q2: My maternal grandfather’s last job before retiring was for an actor who later starred in the film The King’s Speech.
My Grandfather used to be a handyman at the village Chute Standen manor house. When the owner sold the property my grandparents decided to retire. But before they did, the new owner could not move in immediately so employed my grandfather to keep an eye on the place. The new owner being the actor Anthony Andrews, who later played Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin in The King’s Speech. So… TRUE (See Q8 ).
Q3: An actor who later starred in the film The King’s Speech went to the same college as my brother.
My brother went to Barton Peveril College. The same college as actor Colin Firth (who starred as King George in The King’s Speech). TRUE.
Q4: My brother once pushed me down the slope of an ancient long barrow which left me unconscious.
As kids, after watching the Olympic bobsleigh event on TV, my brother and I thought it would be fun if he pushed me down a slope in a cardboard box… Yes, I apparently ended up unconscious for a moment or two before coming round, at the bottom of our stairs! Not the slope of a longbarrow so… FALSE. Years later, when standing on an ancient longbarrow my brother fell down the slope, ending up amongst stinging nettles. He swore blind I had pushed him. Not me. Maybe it was the Chute Causeway ghost?
Q5: My grandfather was invalided out of the British Army with malaria.
My grandfather fought in World War II in Norway, Italy, Egypt, Persia (Iraq), Madagascar etc. His Army papers say he was in the expeditionary forces. But shortly before the war ended he was invalided out of the army with Malaria. TRUE (He survived).
Q6: The first day of my first job was spent working for one of the most popular pin up girls of the British Army.
I started work in the mid 1980’s. My first day of my first job was spent working in a cottage owned by Mr Bromley of the shoe firm Russell And Bromley and his wife (who we dealt with). She was also the widow of the actor James Robertson-Justice (probably best known these days for playing the factory owner in the film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (the maker of Toot Sweets)). I was going to use JRB for this question but when I looked him up I found out more about his wife. She apparently used to be an actress in WWII and was (according to Wikipedia) the most popular pin up girl of the army… So yes, the first day of my first job was spent working for one of the most popular pin up girls of the army… But it was the German army. Baroness Irene Von Meyendorf as she was then had also starred in some of the most infamous Nazi propaganda films. So FALSE, it was not the “British Army”.
Q7: I fitted carpets in the penthouse home of an ex-boss of Formula 1 team McClaren.
I fitted carpets in (if I remember rightly) Sandbanks; the penthouse home of Teddy Mayer, who was vice-chairman of Penske, racing USA “CARTS” team. The cars were at least partially made in nearby Poole Dorset. But prior to Penske, Mr Mayer helped set up a formula 1 team with Bruce McLaren and with McLaren’s death in 1970 Mayer took over… So TRUE. Under his control McLaren won the F1 Championship with first Emerson Fittipaldi driving and then James Hunt. Indeed, on a rain soaked track with poor visibility and Hunt having to make up several places in the closing laps… When coming into the pits after the final race of 1976, it was Mayer who first told Hunt he’d just won the title.
Q8: Me and my family once spent Christmas and New Year as the only inhabitants of a property recently sold for over 10 million pounds.
In Q2 I wrote about how my grandfather worked as a handyman at the village manor. My grandmother also worked there as a charwoman. As kids we used to pop in to see them at the manor, so the owner knew us. She was going away over one Christmas and New year and asked my grandparents to move in, to take care of the house and dogs… But my grandparents explained they’d already arranged to spend Christmas with my mum, dad and us kids. “That’s alright” she said, “bring them too”. I was around 14 or 15 years old. Some of the rooms were locked or “out of bounds”, but we had the use of most of the house, including the billiard room (full size Snooker table) and squash court. Anyway the house has recently been sold for – according to Rightmove………… £10.250,000. So TRUE
Q9: I have five winners’ trophies on my mantle piece from the annual Racing Quiz Night (that I told you about in my first list of T&Fs).
Yes, I do have five trophies on my mantlepiece from the annual Racing Quiz Night. One trophy is from winning the Audience Quiz, the first time I went to the event. Three winning trophies from the Elite Racing Quiz… And one Runners-Up trophy. So no, I do not have “five winners trophies”. FALSE
Q10: A watercolour I painted myself of Chief Singer hangs in my study.
A watercolour I painted myself hangs in my study, of the horse that beat Chief Singer in the epic 1984 2000 Guineas, El Gran Senor. So FALSE
Q11: On a visit to Bath Racecourse I backed a winner there whose only other career victory was in a Group 1.
On a visit to Bath Racecourse on 16th September 2002 I backed a two year old filly trained by Ian Balding in a maiden there. She won by 8 lengths at odds against. From that she then went straight into a Group 1. 1½ lengths 2nd to Soviet Song in the Fillies Mile. Then second in the Rockfel too. Andrew took over training in 2003 and she opened her three year old season in the 1000 Guineas, coming 6th in one of the best Guineas I’ve ever seen. Russian Rhythm beating the unlucky (my 16/1 ante-post bet) Six Perfections. So to Epsom… Casual Look won! The 10/1 shot beating favourite Yesterday by a neck. Third in the Irish version followed, then disappointing 7th and 8th in the Yorkshire Oaks and Vermaille before returning to form in the States. Beaten less than a length in a 9f Grade 1. Transferred and trained in the States by Neil Howard. Only raced once there, starting 15/10 favourite… Only 5th… So on a visit to Bath Racecourse I did back a winner there whose only other career victory was a Group 1. TRUE.
Q12: Celtic Swing’s trainer Lady Herries once told me I should give up gambling.
When I told the daughter of the Duke Of Norfolk I wanted to give up carpet fitting and gamble for a living she was horrified. Telling me I should give it up. But it was not the daughter of the 16th Duke Of Norfolk but the 17th Duke. Lady Carina Frost (wife of David). I could tell she was serious in a way, but it was all said in a light-hearted way too. So FALSE, it was not Lady Herries.
Q13: I backed Slip Anchor @ 16/1 ante-post for the 1985 Derby and a prize possession on my wall is a photo of me patting this wonderful horse, in his paddock at Plantation Stud Newmarket.
Some time after the 1985 Derby my cousin was married to the daughter of the “Stud Groom” (a higher position than it sounds) to Slip Anchor at Plantation Stud Newmarket. However, I never got to see the horse in his paddock so I don’t have a photo. FALSE. I’ve never been one for photos. I did get to see Slip Anchor in the flesh though, around the Newmarket Racecourse paddock; before his only 4 year old start. Beaten by Phardante in the 1986 Jockey Club Stakes.
Q14: The only Classic I have ever been there in person to see was Zafonic’’s brilliant run away 2000 Guineas victory in 1993.
It was the owner’s brilliant run away victory of 1986 I saw in person. Dancing Brave’s 2000 Guineas was the only colts classic I’ve seen. Sonic Lady’s 1986 1000 Guineas the only fillies. So FALSE. As a teenager I’d arranged our family holiday to go to the Norfolk Broads in 1986 to coincide with the three day meeting.
Q15: After going Racing there, I once jogged around the track at Wincanton. Taking useful distance and gradient information on my Garmin watch.
After going racing I did once jog around the track, taking useful distance and gradient information on my Garmin Watch… At Newbury, not Wincanton. So FALSE.
As I passed the winning post I heard a cheer from some racegoer stragglers in the grandstand.Q16: I both backed Little Owl when he won the 1981 Cheltenham Gold Cup and rescued a real little owl bird in our garden.
I was still at school in 1981, but a friend’s dad was a keen punter and I got him to put the bet on Little Owl for me. Then, many years later we found a Little Owl in the garden – it couldn’t move. So we put it in a box and took it to (or maybe they collected it I don’t remember) the Owl Sanctuary in the New Forest. So TRUE I did both back and rescue a Little Owl. However, the story does not have a happy ending. We kept in touch with the sanctuary and the little owl was making good progress… Until “animal rights” campaigners let mink loose that got into the sanctuary. Killing many of the birds including my little owl.
Q17: I used to be the school bookmaker on Grand National day and in 1980 a Scottish kid cost me. Having 10p each way @ 50/1 Ben Nevis.
Yes, I was the school bookmaker and lost “heavily” when in 1982 a Welsh kid by the name of Morgan backed Grittar with me at better odds than the bookies. I hadn’t started my bookmaking in 1980. FALSE
Q18: The first time I ever went racing I saw a horse now recognised as an all time great, start favourite yet finish unplaced.
The first time I went racing was in late August 1983 when I saw a filly called Shoot Clear win the Waterford Candelabra Stakes at Goodwood (now the “Prestige”). It wasn’t until looking back at my old race cards for this thread that I saw the name of one of the other runners… Pebbles. The 1000 Guineas, Eclipse, Champion Stakes and Breeders Cup winner. Timeform rated 135, one of the best rated fillies ever. Horse Of the year 1985 and admitted to the British Champions Series Hall Of Fame. I looked up her record and she started favourite at Goodwood, finishing 5th… So TRUE, “the first time I ever went racing I saw a horse now recognised as an all time great, start favourite yet finish unplaced”.
Q19: The only plane I have ever been on is concorde.
Spot on ERL. I have never flown in my life. It’s not the flying that I am afraid of, it’s the getting through the airport… And am not one for going abroad anyway. But I did once go to Fleet Air Arm Museum and stepped on board Concorde. Well I did say “ever been on”. TRUE
Q20: In my lifetime I have been on more steam train journeys than by trains powered by all other sources combined.
For pretty much the same reason, I don’t like train stations or crowded carriages. I have not been diagnosed, but believe I have a very mild social anxiety. Whereas a smaller steam train station / journey I can enjoy. So yes, I have been on more steam train journeys than by trains powered by all other sources combined. TRUE
Q21: I am related to an actor who was a main character in the TV sitcom Terry And June, alongside Terry Scott and June Whitfield.
I am related to Pippa Page who played their daughter Susan… Not in “Terry And June” though, but in the forerunner. The “Happy Ever After” series. Or if she was ever in “Terry And June” it was not as a “main character”. So FALSE.
Q22: The secret of my gambling success can now be revealed.
I am “related” to a Dr Who (I suppose you could say more than one Dr Who).
We regularly use the Tardis to go back in time to back winners.
(Nah, only the second line of Q22 counts for this competition).My Aunt’s stepson Mark Osmond married the American-British actress Sandra Dickinson. Perhaps best known for her role as Trillian in the TV series Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy. Her daughter (Mark’s stepdaughter) Georgia is married to David Tennant… So I am “related” to the 10th (and 14th) Dr Who… And Geogia’s father, Peter Davison was the 5th Dr Who. So yes, you could say I am “related” to more than one Dr Who. TRUE
The first and third lines of my question might also be true, might not, I’ll let you decide.Q23: I went to a normal comprehensive school. But I could have gone to a famous public school paid in full by a 17th century relative.
Many years after I’d left school, the mother of the aforementioned Pippa Page (Margret) traced our family tree (I have a copy) back to the 1600s. To a John West, who was a friend and “scrivener” / financier to – and witness to the will of – famous diarist Samuel Peppys. Another friend of John’s was the Lord Mayor of London and President of Christ’s Hospital (School). Believed to be the first ever school for the poor. Set up by King Henry VIII and his son Edward VI in the 1500s. To this day pupils wear a tudor uniform. Anyway, I digress. John and his wife Frances generously gave gifts to many charitable trusts including Christ’s Hospital. So the kin of John and Frances West can apply to the West Gift Bursary Fund for a place at Christ’s Hospital School. TRUE.
Q24: I stole the answers to a school questionnaire about a visit to the National History museum… And filled in my questionnaire before I stepped inside the museum.
I did fill in my questionnaire before I stepped inside the Natural History Museum. Already having the answers in my bag (or most of them). My brother had gone there the year before, kept the questionnaire and thought it might come in handy for my trip. They were exactly the same questions. So FALSE, I did not steal the answers, I was given them. Of course the questionnaire was supposed to keep us kids occupied studying. Half the coach spent the entire visit doing anything else but…
Q25: At school, when a teacher told me I had to do “lines” as punishment, I protested and was given an alternative – right then – of going to the headmaster for the cane. I chose the cane… Later returning to class rubbing my bum, although I’d actually been hit on the left hand.
This did happen, but I wouldn’t have had the nerve. It was my friend Michael who chose the cane. So FALSE
Q26: In a lesson at school, we had to “write a letter to someone”. Many chose Jimmy Saville! (Jim’ll Fix It). Thankfully I chose Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and got a reply back from 10 Downing Street.
Many of my classmates did write to Jimmy Saville, but I wrote a letter to the Prime Minister and got a reply back from 10 Downing Street. From Prime Minister Jim Callaghan, not Maggie. So FALSE.
Q27: A close up picture of my cuddly toy panda dressed in my school uniform (he’s about 60cm / 2ft tall) was shown on TV; when I was in the audience of the kids quiz show “Runaround”.
Kids from my junior school took part in the TV show Runaround, and we had a school trip to be in the audience… Many kids brought their cuddly toys to school to take with them, but weren’t allowed. I was the only exception because my mum had dressed Panda up in my school uniform… But they never showed Panda in the audience! So FALSE. Probably because I wasn’t the type to jump up and down. Especially not on command. It was all more than a bit false and disappointing. A bloke held up a board telling us when to shout, when to clap and when to be quiet. I was also expecting to see the comic Mike Reid too (later landlord of the Queen Vic in Eastenders) as compere… But he’d been replaced as host by Leslie Crowther (later host of The Price Is Right).
Q28: At school, I got into trouble for throwing a paper aeroplane which hit my teacher on the back of the head.
It was not me who threw it, honest. The kid I sat with in Maths, Garry made and threw the plane at a waste paper basket, But it climbed and then turned and hit Mr Knights on the back of the head. I laughed and he looked over. Came storming over and I thought Garry was in big trouble. But Garry had immediately looked to his books. Mr Knights had not long been at the school and may have wanted to make an example of what would happen to kids who challenged him. He picked me up using only my tie, no room for my desk to go back, so I could not stand properly – hung there by my tie… The closest I ever came to hitting a teacher. Garry denied everything. At least Mr Knights did get me through my only “O’level pass… Anyway… Although it was not me who did it, I did get “into trouble for throwing a paper aeroplane which hit my teacher on the back of the head”, So TRUE.
Q29: At school, I got into trouble for a comment I made about a female teacher having oral sex.
I remember this as if it were yesterday. We had one lesson a week in “The Potting shed”, a wooden building I believe was created in the first place to teach kids gardening. Resources being what they were, it was used as a proper classroom. At least 200 metres away from the rest of the school. I watched Tim (the smallest kid in our class) coming across the field struggling to carry the new fire extinguisher he’d been sent to get. The class was extremely rowdy when Tim opened the door and came in waving the extinguisher nozzle and asked in quite a loud voice “where do you want it Miss”? To which I very softly spoke… “in her mouth, where do you think”? But just when Tim had said the word “Miss”, the class fell silent. Everyone heard what I’d said and burst into laughter. Only interrupted by the teacher… “Who said that”!? She threatened, if the culprit did not own up everyone would be in detention. Nobody spoke out but I stood up. Not my finest moment, embarrassingly it’s TRUE. Did get me some street cred though.
Q30: After a meal at Fleet M3 Motorway Services my car was nowhere to be seen in the car park so I reported it stolen… When I told the police where I was headed, he asked me if I’d walked across the motorway footbridge to the restaurant. Oops
Yes, this did happen, but not to me… an uncle of mine. FALSE Apparently the police said it was quite a regular occurrence for people to forget they’d used the footbridge over the motorway.
And the Scores are – out of a possible 30:
Homer 12
ERL 15
Richard 15
Landafar 16
BigG 18Well done BigG.
Value Is EverythingI definitely know you too well Ginger, probably too well for my own good
Thanks for that Ginger, you’ve lived a bit of a life, as I had imagined. It’s a veritable
who’s who of top notchers. Mind you, my mum was pursued by the actor Stanley Baker (of Zulu
fame) back in the day, before she met my dad, but she turned down his advances. Just think,
I could have had a film star for a dad.Well seeing as this was the last one, I’m quite happy to go out on top (for a change)
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