*
banner

4BR May Bank Holiday quiz

Make the connections inspired by the great children's animator Oliver Postgate...

Bagpuss
  Oliver Postgate created wonderful children's characters

Our special May Bank Holiday quiz has a hot breathy feeling about it — in honour of the wonderful Oliver Postgate.

There was a great BBC 4 programme about his life and work on the weekend which you should catch up with if you are a lover of fantastic children's television programmes — as he made some of the very best — from Noggin the Nog to Bagpuss (above) and more.

And come up with the right answers from the clues and there is a selection box of 10 great vintage CDs from our Ali Baba emporium of old brass band treasures.

You can enjoy the programme at:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00pht5q/timeshift-series-9-6-oliver-postgate-a-life-in-small-films

Question:

What is the link between characters found in Oliver Postgate's children's programmes 'The Clangers' and 'Ivor the Engine', with the Patron Saint of England, a 1963 pop hit for Peter, Paul & Mary, the literary debut of serial killer Hannibal Lecter and a famous test piece written by Philip Sparke to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Cory Band?

Answers:

Answers with your reasons to be sent to: quiz@4barsrest.com

Closing date for answers: 12.00pm (midnight) on Tuesday 1st June

the link between 'The Clangers' & 'Ivor the Engine', the Patron Saint of England, a 1963 pop hit for Peter, Paul & Mary, the literary debut of Hannibal Lecter and a test piece written by Philip Sparke for the 100th anniversary of Cory?4BR

History winner:

Our Whit Friday winner was Tim Pickles who once dressed up as Aladdin to play 'The Elephant' march with Ali Baba Brass at Whit Friday in 2018.

1. An appropriate march by William German for the incumbent of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington DC.
Answer: The President

2. The Devil Incarnate by Shipley Douglas.
Answer: Mephistopheles

3. T J Powell's cheesy fortification.
Answer: Castle Caerphilly

4. An old favourite of Yuri Gagarin and Neil Armstrong by the same composer.
Answer: The Spaceman

5. A George Allan classic named in honour of the nickname of snooker player John Higgins.
Answer: The Wizard

6. The favourite Specsavers destination for Dominic Cummings.
Answer: Barnard Castle

7. A march by William Rimmer that reminds you of the famous sword wielding guard of a bridge in 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail' who ends up armless and legless but still convinced he can win a dual.
Answer: The Black Knight

8. Kenneth Alford classic that was whistled by the prisoners of war in the 1957 film 'Bridge on the River Kwai'.
Answer: Colonel Bogey

9. "That's the way to do it! That's the way to do it!"comes to mind with this William Rimmer 6/8 classic.
Answer: Punchinello

10. J Ord Hume's homage to a big eared or little eared mammal with a long proboscis and an impressive memory bank.
Answer: The Elephant

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Radio

Radio: Touch of Brass

January 4 • More great music to enjoy over the next two weeks from Martin Upfold and Julie Hedges.


Presto CDs

Presto Music Collection: Six more to add to your playlist

January 1 • New and old CDs from David Childs and John Wilson to Black Dyke and Williams Fairey.


Richard Marshall

Marshall makes Riverside connection with baton

January 1 • Richard Marshall becomes part of the conducting team spearheading NASUWT Riverside in 2026.


RWCMD

New Year financial boost for RWCM&D

January 1 • The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama gains nearly two million pounds in funding to help provide its core delivery of performance based music and drama.


Newstead Brass - Brett Baker

Saturday 17 January • St Wilfrid's Church, . Kirkby-in-Ashfield NG17 8LA


The Hepworth Band - New Year Concert

Sunday 25 January • Christ Church, New Mill, Holmfirth HD9 7ER


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 6 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: London & Southern Counties Regional Championships

Saturday 21 March • Arts & Leisure Centre, Lytton Way, Stevenage SG1 1LZ


Tewit Silver Band

January 3 • PRINCIPAL Eb BASS position - our enthusiastic team of basses are looking for the right leader to elevate them to the next level. We have a great program of events ahead of us including contests and concerts alongside a good social vibe.


Tewit Silver Band

January 3 • Championship CORNET players - we are looking for a strong front row player to complete our section. We have a great year ahead including contests, hymn and march contests, concerts and Durham Miners alongside a good social vibe.


East London Brass

January 3 • PERCUSSIONIST - looking ahead to the 2026 contest season, ELB are looking for a percussionist to complete our line up. The band is ambitious and keen to further our successful 2025 season of winning the areas and promotion at spring festival.


Alex McGee

MA BMus PGCE
Conductor & Composer


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd