Test your local knowledge

Jun 14 2008 by Laura Davis, Liverpool Daily Post

Are you a Mersey Mastermind? Take our quiz to find out

HOW much do you really know about the place you live? Can you name all of Liverpool’s 56 chart-toppers? Do you know the Scouserati as well as you know your own relatives?

A new quiz book all about Liverpool, Mersey Mastermind, has been compiled by Daily Post and Echo writer Peter Grant, who admits to a quizzing obsession.

“I have joined quiz leagues and have competed in and hosted pub quizzes. I have held Beatle trivia tests and to this day I like nothing better than sitting in a tavern with a pint and a stack of papers battling the quiz pages and brain-teaser,” he says.

“I soak up all the quiz shows on the telly and radio, and love to share bizarre facts with anyone who will listen.”

The quiz below is made up of some of the questions you’ll find in Peter’s book, as well as a few we’ve thrown in ourselves.

So, if you fancy yourself as a bit of a Mersey Mastermind, why not challenge the rest of the family.

MERSEY Mastermind, by Peter Grant, is available now from www.merseyshop.com (tel: 0845 143 0001), priced £8.99.

Scouse of Commons – what is the Scouse connection between . . .

1. Footballers Peter Beardsley, Davey Hickson and Gary Ablett.

2. Singers Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and Carl Perkins.

3. International companies NEC, Kejian and Chang.

4. Eleanor Rathbone, Bessie Braddock, Jayne Kennedy and the Eagle twins.

5. Clive Barker, John Lennon and Les Dennis.

6. The Victoria Building, North Western Hall and the Seamen’s Orphanage.

Initially yours – who am I?

1. DN: Famous Liverpool actor who usually portrayed priests and monks in his sitcoms.

2. JP: Born in Heswall and an inspirational DJ for Radio One.

3. RH: Film star who had six wives and his middle name was Carey.

4. JW: A brave Liverpool sea hero who has a statue in the city in his honour.

5. KC: Scouse-born actress who moved to Canada as a child and is starring in one of this summer’s biggest films.

6. AS: Comedian who appeared in the Young Ones.

True or false?

1. In 1547, there were just four ships registered in the Port of Liverpool.

2. The fire station in the song, Penny Lane, is actually on Mather Avenue.

3. Ken Dodd’s ambition was to be a saxophone player.

4. Dixie Dean was transferred from Tranmere to Everton for £2,999 in 1925.

5. The Titanic visited Liverpool on its maiden voyage.

6. The Liverpool and Manchester Railway was the first steam powered line.

That was the year – but when?

1. King John presented Liverpool with its first Charter.

2. The Liverpool Overhead Railway was opened.

3. Queen Victoria opened the Liverpool International Exhibition.

4. Racing began at Aintree.

5. The Queen Mother launched Ark Royal IV at Cammell Laird.

6. Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral consecrated.

Are you a Mersey Mop-Top Mastermind?

1. George Harrison mentioned two British Prime Ministers on which album track?

2. What record was made on September 11, 1962?

3. Who was the novelist mentioned in Paperback Writer?

4. Was it John, Paul, George or Ringo who said: “The Beatles saved the world from boredom”?

5. Paul Merton, the British comedian, compared The Beatles to which famous US comedy quartet?

6. In which cemetery is Eleanor Rigby’s grave?

Can you name that number 1 year?

1. George Harrison: My Sweet Lord

2. Gerry and The Pacemakers: I Like It

3. Sonia: You’ll Never Stop Me From Loving You

4. Billy J Kramer & The Dakotas: Bad to Me

5. Sugababes: Freak Like Me

6. Frankie Goes to Hollywood: The Power of Love

The Answers >>>