Warrington Quiz League

Would you like to appear on PAST FORWARD? A new BBC Radio 4 history quiz hosted by Lucy Porter where contestants are quizzed on a century of BBC news archive as we test their knowledge of the sound of stories from any time in the last 100 years.

It’s an archive-based quiz so all rounds feature audio clips of news archive covering anything and everything from world events, politics, significant moments, health, economy, climate, culture, crime, regional news, sports, and entertainment. 

Each episode will feature two teams of two playing against each other and so we are looking for pairs of quizzers. Contestants should apply separately and include your teammate's name on your application in the space provided. If you don't have a teammate, we can pair you up with another individual applicant.

You’ll need to be available to come to London for the recording on Sunday 10th May 2026. We will invite you to take part in an online audition, before places in the new series are confirmed, during the w/c 20th April 2026.

If you’re up for listening carefully and testing your general knowledge of modern history then please apply here, submitting your completed form by Wednesday 15th April 2026:

Past Forward Contestant Application Form

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Kem Barlow, one of the founder members of the Warrington League.  Ken was Team Secretary for BACO Hotrods, a team from the British Aluminium Company, in the 1975-76 season, the first season of the Warrington Quiz League.  Over the half century his genial presence has always been much appreciated and respected.  His quizzing high spots included playing in the winning Woodworms team in the final of the Warrington Knock-out in 1987-88, and, more recently, partnering John Hall in winning the Warrington Pairs Competition.  He will be much missed.

It is with sadness that I report the recent deaths of both Sarah Trevarthen, former member of the Ringers quiz team, and Tony Elbra, a long-standing member of the former Ex-Men quiz team.  Sarah’s funeral was held on Friday, 5^th September; Tony’s will take place on 16^th September at St. Peter’s, Oughtrington, Lymm.

Many of you will have met Sarah Trevarthen, a member of the Ringers quiz team and a former winner of BBC’s Brain of Britain and Counterpoint, also a finalist on Mastermind.  Sarah is, tragically, currently in hospital on end-of-life cancer support.

We have been informed that Glenys Hopkins passed away suddenly at home on 1 July 2025. She was involved in quizzing in the Culcheth and Warrington areas for many years.
Her funeral will take place at Culcheth C of E church at 2.30pm on Tuesday 29 July, followed by cremation at Warrington crematorium at 4pm. Family flowers only, donations in lieu, if desired, to British Heart Foundation

Photos and videos from this year's finals and presentations can be found at Merseyside Quiz Leagues Finals and Presentation Evening - Merseyside Quiz Leagues

BBC Two’s Mastermind is currently scouring the UK to find contenders for the next series, which will be filmed in Belfast!   

We would encourage you to apply as soon as possible as casting is currently underway, with applications for the latest series closing soon.  

To apply, please click: CAST IT REACH or click on the image below:

Or email mastermind.hth@hattrick.com (the application takes just 10 minutes to complete).  

Entry is open to UK residents (including Channel Islands & the Isle of Man) who are aged 18 or over.  

Hat Trick/Hindsight are committed to making programmes as inclusive as possible.   

The Mastermind Casting team

The MQL Buzzer Quiz tournament took place on Saturday 15th Feb 2025 at Hoylake Community Centre.  After an excellent day's quizzing, the final was contested by The Jenever Convention and Organised Quite Late.

You can watch the final by clicking on the linke below:

You can watch the final of this year's MQL Pairs competition at the link below