TPS Annual National Pub Quiz – 3 March 2011
The third running of this popular event saw quizzes being held simultaneously in seven locations around the UK, including, for the first time, Scotland. 

Teams answered questions in eight rounds of 10 questions on a range of different subjects including numbers, pigs, transport and travel, and the ever-popular kids’ television. 

More than 60 teams competed for the prestigious trophy, sponsored by ITP, with JMP in the Yorkshire & Humber region coming out on top with an impressive 67 points.  Second came Simple Minds (Mouchel) in London with 65 points, and in third place were the Old Seeraonians, also in London, with 64 points.  Well done to JMP! 

At a number of venues we also raised money for charity, and we will shortly be sending a cheque to Transaid for £180, to Bowel Cancer UK for £165, and to Comic Relief for £75.  Thank you to everybody for their generosity in supporting these worthy causes.

London 
17 teams assembled in the City Tavern to test their knowledge of numbers, pigs, childrens’ TV, and other subjects close to transport planners’ hearts. 

Competition was expected to be fierce, with last year’s London winners Universally Challenged (TPP) returning to defend their title and Old Seeraonians (former SEERA staff) hoping to add the London title to the South East title they won last year.  On the night though, the experience of Simple Minds (Mouchel) came through to snatch the winning prize with 65 points, followed by Old Seeraonians with 64 points and MVA A Team with 63 points.  

Our photos show the winning team of Simple Minds, comprising Mary Young, Brendan Johnston, James Wiffen, Dave Joy and Oliver Capon, and TPS Board member and quizmaster Jamie Wheway presenting the prize to team captain Mary Young.

In between all the questions, eating and drinking, and networking, we also managed to organise a raffle and raised £165 for Bowel Cancer UK. Our thanks go to the sponsors of the prizes that made the raffle such a success – Transport Planning Practice, Transport and Travel Research, Colin Buchanan and Social Research Associates.

East Midlands
A closely contested East Midlands Branch TPS quiz saw the ITP team ‘The Seasiders’  clinch the title on a tie-break from Leicestershire County Council’s ‘Fun Gi Five’.  At ‘half-time’ only 2 points separated the top 4 teams, and we found ourselves just a point adrift of the national leaders – tension gripped the room, was this to be the East Midlands year once again? 

Although we eventually lost out to an amazingly high total posted by the Yorkshire and Humber region (67 points! – really?), a good mix of teams from Derby City Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, Nottingham City Council/Nottingham City Transport, White Young Green and Waterman Boreham resulted in a good night out for all. 

A particular note of thanks go to our quiz master and scoring team of Dave and Louisa Bennett who kept order and entertained as always.  Thanks to all of you who took part and hope to see you all (and others?) again next year......
Team scores were:
The Seasiders (63)
Fun Gi Five (63)
Pheasant Pluckers (62)
Where the Hell Was Biggles (61)
Undecided (52)
Transporters (43)