HAPPY NEW YEAR
The sycamore scandal, wildfires, women’s football and a coronation… 2023 has been busy. Time to test your knowledge of the year that was
1 What was found under the main stage of Glastonbury, rocking out to Guns N’ Roses? (a) Ahoglet (b) Acat (c) Apair of owlets
2 The National Trust acquired a long coastal stretch of land this year beside which Cornish castle, said to be the birthplace of King Arthur?
3 The world’s oldest whisky was discovered this autumn in Perthshire. But how old was it? (a) 50 years old (b) 200 years old (c) 800 years old
4 Which former pop star, known for his “good heart”, has stepped up to the mark to fight for cleaner rivers?
5 During the Big Butterfly Count, sightings of which butterfly were up a colossal 400 per cent compared with last year?
6 Which 300-year-old tree in Northumberland, star of the film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, was chopped down to much outcry in September?
7 Which fashionable and flamboyant flower was the star at the revival of aVictorian festival at Stonehenge?
8 Apple growers were delighted by particularly sweet crops in 2023, thanks to hot June weather. Which county is home to the first Bramley apple tree?
9Which legendary BBC broadcaster presented anew series focused on the flora and fauna of the British Isles?
10 On New Year’s Eve, Scarborough Harbour cancelled its fireworks display to let which animal rest on its way to the Arctic?
11 This year saw the fifth No Mow May. Which wild flower topped the list when lawns were left to their own devices?
12 Which historic charity invited adults to dress up in costumes at Bolsover Castle, Whitby Abbey and Osborne House?
13 After which retro pudding is this year’s Rose of the Year named? (a) Baked Alaska (b) Peach Melba (c) Black Forest Gateau
14 What title did King Charles III bestow on younger brother Edward in spring?
15 Which dog with a head for heights hoped to sniff out success by competing in its own breed class for the first time at Crufts this year? (a) Bavarian mountain hound (b) Chow chow (c) Siberian husky
16 Which bird of prey was born in the wild in England this spring for the first time in almost 250 years?
17 How did Marks &Spencer get Colin the Caterpillar, of cake fame, into the Christmas spirit? (a) By dressing him in a Christmas jumper (b) By adding brandy to the buttercream (c) Don’t be ridiculous! He stayed exactly the same
18 True or false: the invitations to the Coronat
