Bloomsbury prove themselves top swots

GAMOPHOBIA is a fear of what? Just one of the questions that upped the ante at this year’s ATG quiz night writes Alex Capon.

Putting their brains and drinking capacity to the test, 22 teams from across the spectrum of the art and antiques industry crammed into the Texas Embassy near Trafalgar Square on November 22 for a night of strenuous mental and guttural exercise.

After eight rounds of tough examination, it was the team from Bloomsbury Auctions, last years’ runners up, who managed to go one better this year, emerging triumphant and winning a set of specially-inscribed silver tankards.

They were pushed all the way by the Christie’s King Street team and ATG’s own resident superbrains who, having failed in their attempts to access the answers in advance, still led the field at half time.

Last year’s winners, Christie’s South Kensington, only managed eleventh place this year.

Taking the wooden spoon was the team from Gorringes who put in a spirited performance (in more ways than one) despite missing the first round of questions due to the unscheduled stops taken by their limousine. They did not leave emptyhanded, however, claiming the prize for the best ‘Tex Mex’ team name: Gorringo’s.

There was also a prize for the best team mascot which, after a three-way play-off with Woolley & Wallis (a blow-up cactus) and Bloomsbury (a stuffed parrot), went to BADA’s entry, a bust of the late Quentin Crisp dressed as a cowboy complete with Zapata moustache.

The whole event was, of course, in aid of a good cause, and a total of £1300 was raised for BBC Children in Need and the BADA Benevolent Fund.

Oh yes, gamophobia is a fear of marriage. Well done to all who got it right.