Merseyside Quiz Leagues

 

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MQL MEETINGS 2025-2026

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COUNCIL

Sun 10th August 2025 (online)

Sun 7th September 2025 (online)

Sun 7th December 2025 (online)

Sun 15th March 2026 (online) 

Sun 28th June 2026 (online)

AGM

Sun 12th April 2026 (online)  

All online meetings commence at 7.30 pm

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AGENDA of most RECENT MEETING

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minutes of most recent COUNCIL MEETING

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Minutes of the Council meeting of the Merseyside Quiz Leagues held online on Sunday 15th March 2026 at 7.30pm

1.    In Attendance: Steve Lomas, Bill Thomas, Danny Grimes, Frances Mason, Colin Foster, Cliff Houghton, Derek Moody, David Hodgson, Roy Smith, Paul Davitt, Jim Eccleson, Pam Baker, Dag Griffiths and Brian Thompson.

Apologies: Bill Morris, Angela Houghton, Angela Doyle, Jon Stitcher
 
2.    Minutes of previous meeting:  These were accepted as a true record of the meeting. 

3.    Matters Arising:  There were no matters arising

4.    Chairman’s report: Chairman, Danny Grimes, reported that once again he had been able to attend a number of events and competitions both as a participant and observer.  He praised the organisation of these events and reiterated the need for the Leagues to promote themselves wherever and whenever possible.

5.    General Secretary’s report:  General Secretary, Brian Thompson, reported that MQL had been consulted by QLL on a revamped competition held on the day of their Open Quiz Festival in June and in particular about the use of the Don Bissett Cup as the trophy for that competition.  Council had no objection to this proposal.  
 
6.    Treasurer’s report: Treasurer, Dag Griffiths, reported that the balance was £75 greater than shown due to payment for NBCC Mimir and an over payment by Wirral for the Buzzer Quiz.  He pointed out a reimbursement of a fee charged by Royal Mail for a stampless envelope.  He commented that the Buzzer Quiz had made a loss this year (it made a profit last year) due to the payments made to writers and travel to readers.  This loss could be reversed in future years with a greater involvement by MQL writers and readers.  The balance of just under £2000 was healthy and Dag saw no need to increase fees for 2026-27.

7.    Assistant General Secretary’s report: Assistant General Secretary, Cliff Houghton, reported that all distribution was going smoothly.  Early sending has solved some of the problems with second-class delivery.  

8.    Area reports:
Liverpool
Liverpool Secretary, Paul Davitt, reported that the number of participants in the Liverpool Mimir was down again at 18, but the evening went off successfully.  Very close finishes in both Div 1 and Div 2 with Div 1 decided on points scored.  Handicap KO has started but frustrated by two teams having withdrawn. Riley Cup, organised by Wirral, will follow in April.  Danny had already mentioned the sad passing of Malcolm Bowstead and Danny Quinn (the MQL’s oldest playing member).

Ormskirk
Ormskirk Secretary, David Hodgson, reported the deaths of two players Colin Shaw and Colin Pickthall.  Season will end on 30 March with Presentation, Pairs and Finals happening in the coming weeks.

Southport and Formby
S&F Secretary, Dag Griffiths, reported the sad death of Mollie West, an excellent quizzer and a long-standing and very well-respected member of the League.  Due to domain renewal misunderstandings the S&F website had been lost.  In spite of requests, the League was still awaiting a replacement.  In the meantime, a WhatsApp group had been formed.  The season will end with the finals of the KO and a handicap competition.

Warrington
Warrington Secretary, Derek Moody, reported that Alan Gibbs had won the Warrington Mimir which was poorly attended (13), heats having to be held on Wednesday 18 February due to venue problems.  Season will end with Presentation on 21 April.  No Warrington teams would be taking part in the Feeny or Rendon Cups. 

Wirral
Wirral Secretary, Jim Eccleson, reported that their Absent Friends Cup was being played at the moment, their League season having been completed.  He also reported a low turnout (13) at the Wirral Mimir. 

League and Division Winners and Runners Up
Liverpool
 1 W Cricketers
 1 RU Kluggers
 2 W St Francis of Assisi
 2 RU St Patrick's
 H Aigburth Swans

 Ormskirk
 1 W Newburgh Lions
 1 RU Turks Head Sinners
 2 W Rugby Hounds
 2 RU Scarecrows
 H  Newburgh Lions

 Southport & Formby
 1 W Wings
 1 RU Formby Sports
 2 W MPs
 2 RU Cavalette
 H Casablanca

 Warrington
 1 W Ringers
 1 RU Hatton Coterie tbc
 2 W Doctor's Orders
 2 RU Six Pack tbc
 H

 Wirral
 1 W The Agazi
 1 RU Oxton
 2 W Plasterers Arms
 2 RU McKie's Magpies

9.    Competitions
MCC has been played by 10 teams (3 Liv, 1 Orm, 2 S&F, 1 War and 3 Wir) using a Swiss Tournament method.  
5 rounds of 5 matches were played with 24/25 completed.  Ringers were winners beating Colly Wobblers on points difference.  4 teams were in contention going into the last round of matches.  We might wish to reconsider points difference to points scored if we repeat this format next year.  Comments were made that, although agreed at the last Council meeting, it was a shame that there was not going to be a Final or the award of the Plate.  This was a result of the small number of teams who had entered and the requirement of extra sets.

President’s Trophy was played online and each League was represented playing each other twice.  It was won by Liverpool.  

President’s Shield was won by Liverpool 2a.  All Leagues apart from S&F were represented and played each other twice face to face.  We need to have a chat about player eligibility ahead of next season; however it is important that we don’t preclude anyone wishing to play.
    
The Jubilee Pairs Competition was played on 28 January by 26 people (11 Liv, 4 Orm, 1 S&F, 5 War and 5 Wir) and was won by Joan Peacock and Graham Barker, from Roy Smith and Rob Cruise and Karen Leahy and Neil Wright.  David Smith and Sam Roberts won the Plate.  It was held at Burtonwood CC, a great venue and thanks to Cliff for arranging and Warrington for hosting.  The 2026 MQL Pairs will hopefully return in its usual slot in the Autumn.

The seventh MQL Jubilee Buzzer Tournament took place on Saturday 21 February at The Parade in Hoylake.  25 teams took part, 5 from Merseyside.  Yorkshire (David Stainer, Danny Lardner, Gary Morewood and Lewis Jones) who beat Chaos (Paul Sinha, Oliver Levy, Isabelle Heward and Michael McPartland) in a very close Final match.  Liverpool were losing Semi-finalists and Warrington couldn’t quite defend their Plate, losing in their Final to Misfits.  We wrote over 1000 questions, 200 by MQL writers, the rest were paid for.  This was the main reason for having made a loss this year.  MQL provided 9 out of the 15 readers and administrators.  The event was successful and received thanks, praise and complements from many participants.  Thanks as always to Jon Stitcher and Dan Lawson

Area heats of the Mimir have produced 32 qualifiers for this Wednesday’s MQL heats at NBCC.  The 6 withdrawals have all been replaced by reserves thanks to organisers in each Area

I’d be grateful to know how many likely participants in the Feeny Rendon asap and sets due to me on 1 April.  Scheduled to be played in w/c 13 April, 20 April and 27 April 2026 on Mon or Tue or Wed to suit and in person if possible but online if necessary.  The potential clash of Liv/Wir Riley Cup with the Feeny and Rendon dates was pointed out.  Not the fault of those Leagues, Brian explained that schedules for the Feeny and Rendon would be organised once participation was known.   

10.    Insurance
Danny had a quote of £100.80 per annum that would provide all Leagues with substantial Public Liability and Employer/Volunteer Liability cover.  He will circulate the details to Council in the next few days.

11.    EQD
There seems no doubt that with the increased cost of second-class mail, the reduction in service and perhaps its complete removal, the posting out of sets is becoming less and less feasible.  It was suggested that a period of changeover to the use of EQD should be considered.  It was appreciated that in the short term this would create more work for the distributors and the League Secs, but it was thought likely to be more effective than imposing EQD and suffering the inevitable loss of teams.  Another suggestion for a gradual transition was to have a central point for collection of printed sets.   We should also offer a reduction in fees commensurate with the savings that EQD would afford.

12.    Items for the AGM
It was pointed out that a person may hold the post of President provided the terms are not concurrent.  This might make it easier to appoint a new President when Jim’s term ends next month.  
Danny confirmed his decision to step down as Chairman adding that he had enjoyed his time.  A number of people expressed their gratitude and praise for the work that he had done as Chairman, which was appreciated by Danny.  Nominations for the post of Chairman were invited ahead of the AGM.

13.    AOB:
There were no items of AOB

The meeting closed at 8.35pm

Annual General Meeting:      Sunday 12 April 2026 at 7.30pm online 

Next Council meeting:          Sunday 28 June 2026 at 7.30pm online 

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minutes of most recent AGM

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Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the Merseyside Quiz Leagues held online on Sunday 12th April 2026 (commencing at 7.30pm)

Attendees:  Bill Morris, Cliff Houghton, Derek Moody, Bill Thomas, David Hodgson, Clive Leech, Dag Griffiths, Frances Mason, Jim Eccleson, Angela Houghton, Danny Grimes, Paul Davitt, Pam Baker, Roy Smith and Brian Thompson, representing thirteen teams and all five areas.

1. Apologies for absence.  Angela Doyle, Steve Lomas, Colin Foster

2. The minutes of the previous AGM.  The minutes, having been circulated to all teams, were accepted as a true and fair record of the meeting.

3. Matters Arising.  There were no matters arising not covered by the Agenda.

4. Chair’s Report.  Chair, Danny Grimes, asked for a moment’s silence for the following members and associates of the MQL who had passed away in the last year.

Liverpool    Malcolm Bowsted, Aidan ‘Danny’ Quinn

Ormskirk   Colin Shaw, Colin Pickthall, Joe Keegan

Southport & Formby    Mollie West

Warrington   Glenys Hopkins, Tony Elbra, Sarah Trevarthan, Ken Barlow

He reported that he had chaired MQL Council meetings, attended and officiated in various competitions. He had participated the MQL Mimir competition and assisted in the running of the MQL Buzzer Quiz for which he created and organised name badges for the officials with the purpose of promoting the MQL.  He had participated in numerous policy development sessions on the Employment Rights Bill.
Although, it has not been included in the AGM, he said that he had previously proposed the adoption of an insurance policy for the MQL, its officers and members, and trusted that the details will be circulated among the members for discussion at the next MQL council meeting.
The challenges facing the MQL remain the same as ever and include retaining and attracting players and teams and preserving venues.  He urged everyone to do whatever they could, whenever they could to help in these matters.
As he stepped down as Chair, Danny paid tribute to the manner and organisation of the Leagues and the time and effort spent in making it the success that it is.  He commented that although convenient, chairing meetings on Zoom is not always as straightforward as doing so face to face!  He added that he hoped to be able to continue to serve the Leagues in whatever ways he could in the coming years. Danny thanked his fellow officials and Council members for their hard work and support over the past four years.  

5. General Secretary’s Report.  General Secretary, Brian Thompson, reported that since last year’s AGM we completed the 2025 Feeny and Rendon Competitions.  8 teams took part in the Feeny although one withdrew after the draw was made.  The quarter and semifinals were played both face to face and online and Kluggers beat Wings in the Final played at the Presentation Evening in May.  The Rendon Cup attracted five teams and the whole competition was played to a conclusion in one evening at Aigburth Peoples Hall where Turks Head Saints beat CTK Wanderers.  In a playoff for the Merseyside Challenge Plate, Aigburth People beat Aardvarks to retain the trophy.

The Finals and Presentation Evening was held in the pleasant surroundings of Formby Cricket Club.  Appropriately, Cricketers beat Ringers in a very close match to win the Challenge Cup and Pat Gibson convincingly won his eighth Mimir title beating Jim Eccleson, Ray Oakes and John Hall in the Final.  Thanks again to Bill Morris and the S&F League for providing and arranging the venue.

Unusually, an extra Council Meeting took place in August, to discuss responses to the Employment Rights Bill.

September saw the number of teams in the MQL drop below eighty for the first time with 79 teams starting the 2025-26 season, two teams down on the previous year.  The Liverpool League had 24 teams, Ormskirk 12, Southport and Formby 14, Warrington 12 and Wirral 17.  

Time spent working on the Employment Rights Bill meant that the sixth Jubilee Pairs Competition, scheduled for September, was postponed until January.  It was held at the Burtonwood Community Centre where a total of 26 players took part. The winners were Joan Peacock and Graham Barker of Liverpool QL, who defeated Roy Smith (War) and Rob Cruise (Liv) and Karen Leahy (Liv) and Neil Wright (Wir) in the Final.  David Smith (War) and Sam Roberts (Wir) were the winners of the Plate.  

The Merseyside Challenge Cup this year attracted only ten teams, and it was decided to run it using a Swiss Tournament method.  The competition remained online and produced a very close finish that saw Ringers as the eventual winners.  

It was noted that including the 2026 Feeny and Rendon Cups, only 19 different teams took part in the MCC, Feeny and Rendon competitions.

This season’s two President’s competitions were both won by Liverpool.  Liverpool 2A won the Shield by a comfortable margin, but the Trophy went down to a very close finish with the outcomes not being resolved until the last set of matches.  The Trophy continued online while the Shield was played face to face.  Again, thanks to Dag for providing half the Shield sets and for running the Trophy competition.  The Presidential Challenge was not played.

Thank you to Cliff and Frances for their continued hard work in distributing questions.  With reliability and sustainability now being factors in addition to cost, we hopefully continue on our path towards electronic distribution. 

The 7th Jubilee Buzzer Tournament took place at the Parade Hoylake in February and once again attracted twenty-five teams from all over the country including five from Merseyside.  Many thanks to members of the MQL who read and scored on the day.  The winners were a team representing Yorkshire and the Plate was won by a team called Misfits who defeated the holders Warrington Vikings (Alan Gibbs, Jamie Hall, Derek Moody, Colin Foster, Katie Stoyle and Oli Hanson).  A team from the Derbyshire QL retained the Bowl.  Thanks to Tournament Organiser, Jon Stitcher and Question Coordinator and Editor, Dan Lawson for their enormous amount of hard work in bringing the event together.  The event drew many compliments from participants and a comment was made that although it was not set up as a promotion of the MQL, we have perhaps not utilised the event’s potential to do so.  However, with a possible further reduction of input from MQL, the future status of the tournament will need to be considered.

The Merseyside Heats of the 2026 Mimir competition were held at New Brighton Cricket Club where, as usual, we were made most welcome.  Thanks again to Jim Eccleson and to Rod Watkins for their organisation.   In a close competition on the night Jim Eccleson, Pat Gibson, Angela Doyle and Alan Gibbs have reached the Final that will be played next month.  

The Feeny and Rendon Cup Competitions have once again been conducted allowing some flexibility in when the matches could be played.  8 teams are taking part in the Feeny and 5 in the Rendon.  The Feeny QFs are being played in the next week, followed by the SFs in May and the Final at the Presentation Evening.  The Rendon will be played to a conclusion on 6 May at Aigburth Peoples Hall.

The Finals and Presentation Evening will be held on 20 May at the Stanley Arms in Aughton.  Many thanks to David Hodgson and the Ormskirk League for arranging this for us.

Away from Merseyside, MQL fielded two teams in the Don Bissett Cup at the QLL Open Festival last June but were both defeated in the opening round.  The team of Dag Griffiths, Jim Eccleson, Pat Gibson and the late Sarah Trevarthen went on to win the Plate competition.  All being well we will be providing a team in a revamped competition at this year’s event on 13 June.

In September, Pat Gibson once again retained his title as British Quizzing Champion and finished seventh out of nearly 1900 players in the World Quizzing Championships last June.  Recently Pat won the Ormskirk Mimir for the 11th time!

As usual I would like to thank fellow officers and council members for their hard work and support, and in particular Danny as he steps down as Chair tonight. 

Finally, I would echo Danny’s comments about taking every opportunity to promote the Leagues. Also, I would repeat what I have said before about supporting and spending money in our venues.  I know fewer people drink alcohol than in previous times, but soft and non-alcoholic drinks are available.  I think that asking for a glass of tap water or even taking your own bottled water is not in the right spirit.  With many venues now becoming eateries and closing when the last diner leaves, Leagues are reminded that the option to begin matches as early as 8pm is available under MQL Rule 21.  Without our venues we have no quiz league.

6. Treasurer’s Report.  Treasurer, Dag Griffiths, presented the balance sheet and pointed out that the Buzzer Tournament made a loss this year.  Over the seven tournaments since 2018 the loss was about £30.  No charge was made for the use of Burtonwood Community Centre and £50 for New Brighton CC. A new printer was purchased for Frances; her previous one having given good service for several years. The balance of the account being healthy, Dag proposed no change to the £30 annual subscription.  This was seconded by Brian Thompson and carried nem com.

Auditors (appointed):     David Hodgson.

A copy of the balance sheet is attached.

7. Assistant General Secretary’s Report.  Assistant General Secretary, Cliff Houghton, reported that thanks to early posting to counter the effects of reduced reliability, the majority of sets had arrived on time this season.  He added that additional cost of postage and reduction in the second-class mail service would increase the need to consider EQD seriously in the near future. He thanked fellow distributor Frances Mason for her hard work. 

8. Election of Officers.  President, Jim Eccleson, took the chair for the election of the officers.  
One nomination for Chair had been received, Frances Mason was proposed by Paul Davitt and seconded by Dag Griffiths.  Frances was duly elected nem con. All other officers had expressed a wish to continue in their roles and with no other nominations having been received each in turn was elected nem con. 

Frances was having difficulties with her Zoom connection and so the chair was taken by Cliff Houghton 

The three-year terms of the current Vice Presidents needed renewing.  Namely
Jim McGrath    Angela Houghton    Angela Doyle
Brian Thompson proposed that they be reappointed.  This was seconded by Paul Davitt and carried nem com.

Therefore, the current (April 2026) Council comprises the following Elected and Ex Officio members:

Chair:                 Frances Mason        
Deputy Chair:             Cliff Houghton    
General Secretary:         Brian Thompson    
Treasurer:             Dag Griffiths            
Assistant General Secretary:     Cliff Houghton     

Ex officio members are:
President:            Dag Griffiths
Question Distributor:        Cliff Houghton
Question Distributor:        Frances Mason

The Council has 24 voting members (although currently reduced to 19 due to persons being unable to vote twice)

9. Proposals.  Four proposals had been received
    a)
A proposal that Dag Griffiths be appointed as the next MQL President has been received from Ormskirk Secretary, David Hodgson and seconded by Wirral Secretary, Jim Eccleson.

Carried nem con.

b)
A proposal that outgoing President Jim Eccleson be appointed as a Vice President of the MQL has been received from General Secretary, Brian Thompson and seconded by Liverpool Secretary, Paul Davitt.

Carried nem con.

c)
At the meeting on 10 August 2025, MQL Council agreed to the following amendments and additions to the Rules.  The proposal is therefore that these amendments and additions to the Rules be adopted and is made by Chairman, Danny Grimes and seconded by General Secretary, Brian Thompson on behalf of the Council.

Rule 2 should be changed from
2. MQL operates a non-discriminatory policy with respect to age, gender, disability, race or nationality, ethnic origin, creed, colour, social status and sexual orientation.
to
2. MQL operates a non-discriminatory policy. This applies to all people attending MQL sanctioned events.  MQL has the right to impose appropriate sanctions on teams or individuals who contravene this rule.

Rule 50 should be changed from
50. Any published matters, including press, radio, and social media, concerning quiz teams and individual members must not contain any comment or statement capable of causing offence or embarrassment.  Questions must not be discussed on social media. MQL has the right to impose appropriate sanctions on teams or individuals who contravene these rules.
to
50. Any item published by the MQL must not contain material capable of causing offence or embarrassment.  This includes Question Sets and the making of statements in any media outlets concerning teams, individual members of the MQL or any persons associated with venues used by the MQL.  Questions must not be discussed on social media.  MQL has the right to impose appropriate sanctions on teams or individuals who contravene these rules.

It was agreed that the following Rules should be added.
Ccc Conduct.  While the MQL cannot take responsibility for the conduct of persons involved at any MQL event, it has definite expectations that those persons behave in an appropriate and considerate manner and comply with the rules and regulations of the venue. 

Ccc In preparing a set for use in the MQL, it is the responsibility of a League to endeavour to ensure that the content of any question or answer is factual in nature and is not capable of causing offence or embarrassment to any member of the Leagues or any member of the public who may hear the question.
 
It is proposed that these two new Rules be added as Rules 51 and 52 with the existing Rules 51 to 59 becoming Rules 53 to 61.

All carried nem con.

d)
A proposal has been received from the Warrington council that the MQL should adopt EQD (Electronic Question Distribution) for the next season.  The proposal was made by Paul Coffey (Dr’s Orders) and seconded by Cliff Houghton (Yarboroughs).

It was questioned whether this was in fact a matter for AGM discussion and if it was, should the proposer be present?  The Warrington League took responsibility and were willing to withdraw the proposal. 

It has been pointed out to me that as proposal d was withdrawn, then that should have been the end of AGM business.  This procedure was not followed and has been noted.  However, the proposal did instigate a lengthy discussion, the content of which was meaningful.  After consulting with the Chair, the record of this discussion is included in the Minutes.

•    It seemed that we accepted that the introduction of EQD was inevitable.  
•    Problems with second class mail including costs, reliability and its actual future were all commented upon.  
•    There seemed to be agreement that each individual League should be encouraging their teams and trying to win over those who are sceptical.  This needed to be done in a supportive way and over the course of a perhaps a couple of seasons.  
•    Solutions needed to be found for those teams unable to provide or use the technology required. 
•    Using their experience, Warrington could help other Leagues.  They also suggested that it be made known that, in the meantime, EQD was available as a backup should there be an instance of postal problems.  
•    It was suggested that the MQL issue a statement of intent about the move EQD that would give teams plenty of notice about what is going on.  
•    It was also suggested that a ‘crib’ sheet be developed covering FAQs, common technical issues and some user-friendly instructions on how EQD works.  
•    There seemed no objection to there being a reduction in fees from Season 2027-28 to teams adopting EQD.

The date for the 2027 AGM is Sunday 11th April.  The Deputy Chair thanked everyone for their attendance.  The meeting closed at 8.25pm

For consideration, the dates for the four required Council Meetings for the 2026-27 season are:
Sunday 06 September 2026        Sunday 06 December 2026
Sunday 14 March 2027             Sunday 27 June 2027