THE  NATIONAL ROSE QUIZ - HOW IT BEGAN

Lynn Lancaster says "It’s great to hear from our readers and especially from a founder member of WMRS. We know from his previous comments that Philip Wesson is delighted that the Quiz, which was mainly his brainchild, continues to provide a focus for relationships and social contacts between the  various rose societies around the country; quite separately from RNRS, but for groups affiliated to it.

Philip included copies of articles he himself wrote in 1973 both for WMRS and for the RNRS Bulletin at the time of the First National Quiz and explains how this came about. He writes,
“I was a member of the St. Ann’s Rose Show Society (later named the Nottingham Rose Society) and when the WMRS was formed we, as the youngest Rose Society, challenged Nottingham Rose Society, who still promoted the St. Ann’s Show (claimed as the oldest rose show in the country) to a contest. The contest, agreed with Jack Clarke, was to be a quiz and a box of 24 HT blooms, played first at Nottingham Show, then WMRS show, each year.

Eventually,  after a few years, Nottingham could not support the contest,  so Jack Clarke agreed to my suggestion for a ‘Midlands Rose Quiz’ and other Midland Societies were approached, leading to the ‘Four Counties’ public house meetings, which continued for several years. Only the WMRS of the four original sponsors remains, which is how they have come to administer the quiz over the years.”

"The other two societies making up the original four were Northampton and District Rose Society and Congleton and  District Horticultural Society. The idea was to encourage and strengthen social contacts, so it was agreed the quiz would be open to any local Rose or Horticultural Society to participate, provided they were affiliated to the RNRS.

At that time John Cummings was WMRS secretary and soon he reported that 23 teams were eager to participate. Hurried re-arrangements were necessary! A Saturday evening was chosen; refreshment facilities and overnight accommodation was requested. 500 questions were compiled, some supplied by rosarians such as J. L. Harkness, W. J. W. Sanday, E. B. LeGrice, Leonard Hollis, S. M. Gault, A. P. C. Dickson and H. Wheatcroft. The RNRS supported with the presence of the  Vice-President C. W. Gregory and his wife and others. After some close-fought rounds, the North Western Rose group emerged the champions. The National Rose Quiz was born."

 


            THE  35th. NATIONAL  ROSE  QUIZ            Sunday, 29th. APRIL, 2007

Once again Rose Friends old and new travelled to Pelsall Church Hall to compete in the National Rose Quiz. As a member of last year’s winning team, Roy’s Boys I am able to give an insider view of the competition round by round.

After Morning Coffee and a welcome from the Chairman, six teams completed the written paper with the four highest scorers going through to the semi-finals.  As always, the questions from Ron Niblett were varied and interesting, and this year picture rounds were introduced which added a new dimension to the competition.

As always, it was not just knowing the answers that was difficult, it was getting the answers down on paper, especially for Roy’s Boys!!  The morning session saw West Midlands, South Yorkshire, Rhondda and Roy’s Boys through to the semi-finals – we were on the way again.

After a splendid lunch, for which we thank the Ladies, the afternoon session began.  Roy’s Boys were paired with Rhondda for the first Semi-Final. The lead moved one way then the other with only a few points separating the teams from the start to the finish. After a thrilling encounter Boy’s Boys ran out winners by a single point.  We were in the Final once again, could we repeat last year’s surprise win?

The second Semi was between West Midlands and South Yorkshire. This was a more one sided affair with the high scoring West Midlands running out easy winners.

The Final then saw Roy’s Boys against West Midlands Rose Society.  We were soon several points behind with West Midlands getting off to a flying start.  Slowly we clawed our way back and at one stage we were within striking distance. Then came “that” question – Who was the shortest reigning Queen of England? We didn’t know, back to your History Books Roy’s Boys! West Midlands knew of course and Chris Warner was quickly in with the answer Lady Jane Grey who apparently was queen at the age of sixteen for only nine days, and was executed a year later.  Bonus points for West Midlands and the points gap
widening, but it didn’t end there. Chris then quoted what was supposedly the words of Lady Jane when she heard her husband crossing the landing (not to be repeated here!) and for this he was awarded three extra points.

We were well and truly “sunk without trace”, and although we knew the first and last roses in “Find That Rose” Abbeyfield Rose and Zweibrucken (no extra points here) the points gap was too great and West Midlands finished as comfortable winners. They were winners for the first time since 1987.  Well done John Anthony, Ian Lancaster and Chris Warner for the West Midlands.


Trophies were presented by Gareth Davies to the winners, runners up, Question Master Ron Niblett and Scorer Chris Fullard.  So ended as always a most enjoyable day and the start of the new Rose Season. Much was said during the day concerning the future of the Quiz, and how to get more Societies to participate. I am sure that all those involved would agree that every effort must be made to ensure the continuation of this most enjoyable of days.
                                                                           Roy Evans

                                                           A couple of pictures from a previous rose quiz.