Last Wights Trivia Quiz

Answer: Newport

Newport is the principle town of the Isle of Wight and is often referred to as its capital. It is located in the centre of the island and has fine examples of Victorian and Georgian architecture. The largest town on the island is Ryde.

Answer: Osborne House

As a child Queen Victoria spent holidays on the Isle of Wight and when she was queen she had Osbourne House built as a summer home and rural retreat where she could relax. She died in the house on the 22nd January 1901.

Answer: Vectis

The Isle of Wight was conquered by the Vespasian, the future emperor of the Roman Empire. It was a peaceful surrender and the Roman occupants appeared to have lived peacefully with the local inhabitants. There is evidence that at least seven Roman villas existed on the island. Two of these villas exist today and are open to the public.

These are called Newport Roman Villa and Brading Roman Villa.

Answer: Needles Lighthouse

The Needles are a group of chalk rocks situated on the western approaches to the Isle of Wight. These rocks have always posed a major hazard to ships making their way up the Solent. In 1859 Trinity House, a charity dedicated to safeguarding shipping and seafarers, built the Needles Lighthouse to guide ships navigating the Solent. It was built to replace the lighthouse erected in 1785.

Answer: Alum Bay

The multi-coloured sands of Alum Bay have been collected and saved to make into souvenirs since the Victoria era. In the early days people were allowed to collect their own sands from the beach but in order to protect the area for future generations you are no longer permitted to do this. Unique gifts can still be created in the Sand Shop which provides you with a variety of shapes to fill. Alternatively you can purchase a ready filled ornament made on the premises.

Answer: Carisbrooke Castle

Carisbrooke Castle was first established as a defence against Viking attacks. It is a classic motte and bailey castle design with evidence of defences from many different eras. At the beginning of the English Civil War the castle passed to the hands of the Parliamentary forces.

After Charles I was recaptured after escaping from Hampton Court he was held prisoner in Carisbrooke Castle until he was returned to London and executed in 1649.

Answer: That'll Be the Day

"That'll Be the Day" is a 1973 film starring David Essex as school dropout Jim MacLaine who, after various deadend jobs, ends up working at a fun fair. Various locations on the Isle of Wight were used when filming. These include a holiday camp at the coastal settlement of Puckpool, an old cinema in Ventnor and Shanklin Pier which was destroyed by a huge storm in 1987.

Answer: River Medina

The River Medina is the main river on the Isle of Wight. It rises at St Catherine's Down on the south side of the island and flows north through the main town Newport down to the town of Cowes where it enters the Solent. Its name comes from the latinised form of its Saxon name Medine meaning Middle River.

Answer: Alfred Lord Tennyson

Tennyson and his wife Emily lived on the Isle of Wight for 39 years in the village of Freshwater Bay. His house was called Farringford House and he lived there until his death in 1892. After his death a fund was set up to pay for the erection of monument which was designed by J L Pearson and erected in 1897 on the highest point of Tennyson Down (formally High Down).

Answer: Jefferson Airplane

The Isle of Wight Festival was originally organised by the Foulk brothers, Ron, Ray and Bill, who had been brought to live on the island after their mother was widowed. The event opened on Friday 29th of August 1968 and lasted two days. The original festival was held between 1968 and 1970 and then revived in 2002. All acts mentioned in the above question appeared at the first festival.