Christmas wishes and answers

Thank you to everyone who entered the Christmas quiz this year.

Firstly an apology. There were actually 13 bands / artists in there. No-one spotted my mistake, which meant that anyone who spotted 12 was entered into the draw (but more on that later). To put you out of your misery, the 13 were:

Danny Williams (no, not the Reading midfielder who scored a fantastic volley on Saturday!) who was no. 1 in 1961 with Moon River

Slade with the brilliant “Merry Christmas Everybody” in 1973

Mud, with “Lonely this Christmas” in 1974

Queen. “Bohemian Rhapsody” was no. 1 in 1975 and again in 1991 – the year Freddie Mercury died

The Beatles, who had four Christmas number ones… “I want to hold your hand” in 1963; “I feel fine” in 1964; “Day Tripper” / “We can work it out” in 1965 and “Hello, Goodbye” in 1967

Wings who were no. 1 in 1977 with “Mull of Kintyre” / “Girls’ School”

St Winifred’s School Choir (sorry for reminding you) with “There’s No One Quite Like Grandma” in 1980

Boney M who were no. 1 in 1978 with “Mary’s Boy Child – Oh My Lord”

Benny Hill with “Ernie (The Fastest Milkman in the West)” in 1971

East 17 who were no. 1 with “Stay Another Day” in 1994

Cliff Richard, who was no. 1 with “Mistletoe and Wine” in 1988 and with “Saviour’s Day” in 1990

Band Aid who were no. 1 in 1984 with “Do they know it’s Christmas”…

… which kept our 12th, “Last Christmas” by Wham!, off the top spot.

Well done to those who got all 12. And apologies if there is a bias towards older records – I guess I’m showing my age!

Thank you to everyone who entered. There is a donation of £200 on its way to SOFII as you read this. Especially well done to Phoebe from the Galapagos Conservation Trust who spotted 12 and was the first out of the hat. She gets £50 to donate to any charity she chooses.

Have a happy Christmas everyone, and here’s hoping your 2016 is fun, successful and healthy.

Roger