An English Summer Fete Trivia Quiz

Answer: Tombola

A tombola or 'raffle' is a competition where people buy tickets. Each ticket comes in two parts, with the same number on each part. The buyer keeps one part of the ticket, and the other part is folded and put inside a box (tombola), where it joins many others.

A draw is held where a volunteer picks out the winning tickets. Prizes can range from a jar of homemade jam to a weekend hotel break away. The money saved by the event organisers is donated to a local charity.

Answer: White elephant

Items are donated to the stall by members of the community. The items may include unwanted birthday presents, obsolete items or small pieces of furniture. They are sold at a low price and the money raised for the sale will go to a local charity. Junk items are refused as these are better off going to the rubbish tip.

Answer: 8

It is not known exactly where the origins of 'tug of war' start, but it is known for a fact that the sport was played in ancient China and Egypt. The game is a fun element at English fetes, with rival pubs competing against each other. The 'Tug of War Association' (ToWA) of England takes the game more seriously by organising league tables and championships.

Answer: Coconut Shy

It is also called a coconut 'shie'. It is a traditional game with possible links back to the early 20th century. Although not confirmed, the origins may well derive from a game called 'Aunt Sally'. This consisted of a baton being thrown at a wooden 'dolly', and the winner taking home a prize of a coconut.

The modern game consists of a player throwing three balls at a coconut. If they knock off the coconut, they keep this as the winning prize.

Answer: Pyromancy

'Pyromancy' is divination by gazing into fire or flames. This would definitely not be used in a tent due to health and safety reasons. 'Cheiromancy' is more commonly known as 'palmistry', where the reader looks at the life lines and markings on a palm. Gazing into a crystal ball to see visions of the future is called 'crystallomancy'. 'Cartomancy' readings are carried out using a standard pack of playing cards. Popularity for this type of reading has declined with the introduction of 'tarot' cards.

Answer: Hand bell

Each hand bell has a hinged 'clapper' inside and they are finely tuned to give individual tones. There are different ways of playing hand bells and these include 'weaving', 'plucking', 'shaking' and ' martellato'. Traditional bell ringing involves either two, four or six bells being rung by the same player. Hand bells were first developed by Robert and William Cor in England between 1696 and 1724.

Answer: Splat the Rat

The aim of the game is to whack the rat with a wooden mallet as soon as it appears randomly through a hole. The game progresses with the rat appearing faster and faster, sending the child into fits of laughter. The game can also be called 'bat a rat'. Prizes are given to the person who hits the most number of rats in a specified timescale. You need a quick reaction to play this game!

Answer: Handkerchiefs

The Morris dance is a dying tradition with many young people showing no interest in preserving its history. It is based on a group of people carrying out rhythmic steps around a pair of clay tobacco pipes lying on the floor. The dancers wave handkerchiefs in the air as well as other implements such as sticks and swords. Small bells are attached near their elbows and ankles which give a tinkling sound when they move.

Answer: That's the way to do it.

Mr Punch made his first appearance in England on May 9, 1662. He wears a jester's outfit and is a hunchback with a hooked nose. He has a long suffering wife called Judy. There is nothing he likes better than to hit the other wooden characters with a stick which is bigger than he is.

The well known saying "pleased as Punch" came from the Punch and Judy show, due to Mr Punch's sense of gloating self-satisfaction.

Answer: Twinkies

The local community will rally around for days and weeks beforehand by making lots of goodies to sell at the fete. These include cakes, jams and pickles. The fresh produce they use makes the end product a very tasty morsel indeed. If you ever have the opportunity of attending a fete, then buy the food early before it all goes.