By Gianina Turner
For nearly 20 years, local resident Suzanne Head, known as Su, has been bringing people together through quizzes, conversation and friendship.
The 47-year-old quiz host has built a loyal community around her regular events in Hanham and Longwell Green, including The Queen’s Head, The Harvester and, more recently, Hanham Community Centre. Su now hosts weekly quiz nights at Hanham Community Centre every Tuesday. Teams of up to six people are invited to arrive from 7.45pm for an 8pm start, with entry costing £3 per person.
Su Head said: “I do two nights a week, Sundays and Tuesdays. On Sundays we alternate between The Queen’s Head on Lower Hanham Road and The Harvester in Longwell Green, and every Tuesday we are at Hanham Community Centre.”
What started as a small gathering of family and friends in 2007 has grown into a thriving community, with between 40 and 60 people regularly attending each event.
Su explained: “When I was pregnant with my first son in 2007, relatives came to stay with us from Australia and wanted to do a quiz night in a local pub. When we got there, the quizmaster didn’t show up. Not wishing to disappoint them, I asked if I could read out the questions. By the end of the night, the pub asked if I could do it every week.”
That unexpected opportunity marked the beginning of Su’s quiz nights. As the years passed, Su refined the format, learning what people enjoyed and creating an evening that was about far more than answering questions. People would return, friendships were made and a strong community group was formed. .
Today, participants enjoy a variety of games alongside the quiz itself, including Connect 5, Play Your Cards Right, true or false jackpot rounds and Duck and Chocolate Bingo.
“I soon realised it was more than just a quiz night,” said Su. “Connect 5 gives even the weakest teams a lucky break to win, and I like to make sure everyone has a chance to join in and enjoy themselves.”
“I put many hours in each week writing them and making them unique,” said Su. “The quizzers are my friends. We genuinely care about each other, friendships have been made and new people join all the time. It’s the friendliest group, and I can’t wait for next year when we celebrate our 20th year.”
With help from family and friends, Su organises the events each week while keeping them affordable.
“Where can you go out these days for a full night of fun for £3 per person?” she said. “I’d like to think people come for the social side too. Of course it’s nice to win, but it’s more than that. Friendships are made weekly. That’s priceless.”
The friendships formed through the quizzes are reflected in the loyalty of many regular attendees. Some have been following Su’s quiz nights since the very beginning. Among those regulars are Barbara Williams and Alan Bryan, who have attended Su’s quizzes throughout the past 19 years.
Alan Bryan said: “At Christmas my family always had quizzes in the evening, so going to Su’s quiz nights was like having Christmas every week of the year. In 2022 I was in hospital after a cancer operation and before I went in, Su gave me some quizzes to do while I was recovering. She is always such a thoughtful and caring soul.”
Inclusivity is another important part of the group’s success. Su has adapted games over the years to make them accessible to people with visual impairments. One regular attendee, Andy Flowers, who is registered blind, has been coming along for 12 years.
Andy said: “When I go to a quiz, I really enjoy myself. It’s a good night and very social, talking to different people, and the atmosphere is lovely.”
Over the years, the group has celebrated births and marriages, supported one another through illness and loss, and welcomed countless new faces. Malcolm, known to everyone as Malc, remains fondly remembered.
“Many of the quizzers helped him complete items on his bucket list during his final year,” said Su. “One request was a zip wire, so a group of us did it in support. We gave him a superhero cape to wear. He is greatly missed.”
Su’s Quiz Tour offers far more than an evening of trivia. It provides a place where people can meet, make friends and feel part of something special. As Su puts it: “People arrive as quizzers and leave as friends.”