TRIVIA nights trace their roots to the pub quiz, a mainstay of British pubs since the early 1950s.
The board game Trivial Pursuit, released in 1981, sparked further interest in quiz-based competition and paved the way for trivia nights to become a cultural phenomenon.
Their cost-effectiveness, inclusivity, and team-based format have made trivia nights ideal for school and community fundraising events.
Gloucester High School P & C held a successful trivia night in November, for example.
However, trivia nights remain most popular in pubs.
The Avon Valley Pub in Gloucester has held regular trivia nights since March, initially hosted by Bob Newitt and now by Karl Weiss.
“It is a great way to have fun,” Karl told News Of The Area.
Though competitive, Weiss publishes the topics for Tuesday Trivia a week in advance so keen participants can research.
“Everyone’s got a headful of trivia,” Bob Newitt said, “and it’s always a thrill to know this useless information can be put to good use.”
Jack Ross, a regular at the trivia night, noted that trivia “reactivates the brain cells”.
Trivia nights also offer the community a chance to come together.
“There is a real mixture of people from the Gloucester community who come to Tuesday trivia and get involved in some friendly rivalry,” Weiss said.
Weiss explained that some teams come consistently, but during the holiday season, it is much more varied.
“It gives visitors something to do on Tuesday nights when they are in town, and it’s free,” Oscar, a frequent attendee, said.
Club Gloucester also runs a weekly Wednesday night trivia.
Both trivia nights will recommence in the new year.
By Wendy BUSWELL
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