Friday, 16 April 2021
John S writes: All good things must come to an end - even our fabled iSpysolation competition, as we move into spring, out of lockdown, and back to group riding,
Well done to John J for introducing us all to iSpysolation back in November 2020 and running the first round, and to Yasmin for continuing as quiz-setter in future rounds. A big thank you to everyone who took part in the different rounds and entered into the spirit of things. I learned a lot through looking for clues – I now see fire insurance plaques everywhere I go, found out what a gnomon is, and discovered the wonderful Dinky Doors public art project.
For Clue 1, Angela gave us two scientists for the price of one, with signs for both the Cavendish Laboratory and the Maxwell Centre in the same shot.
Clue 1 - House or place with the same surname as a famous scientist – Maxwell Centre and Cavendish Laboratory – (Photo: Angela W)
John J did a bit of name dropping, slipping in the interesting fact that Vine House (his photo) was named after his own PhD supervisor.
Chris and Ruth provided this extra information about their photo of Faraday House in Foxton where Michael Faraday lived:
It seems appropriate that Faraday House in Foxton is now the home of a technology company called Zettlex Ltd who have received two Queen's Awards for Industry for their electronic sensor technology that is used in equipment such as medical scanners, surgical robotics, space rockets, submarines and racing cars, owing much to Faraday's discoveries.The judging panel were very impressed that Angela managed to find a road named after a flower called Violet Close, as well as a picture of a violet
Clue 2 - A road named after a flower (Photo: Angela W)
Clue 3 – Some violets (Photo: Angela W)
John J missed a point for his photo of a piece of cake allegedly from a café in Fowlmere, but with no evidence to corroborate this claim. Similarly, Angela had a photo of a café which was closed when visited, so there was no cake in evidence there. Chris and Ruth showed us all how it should be done with a selfie of both a café and some cake in the same shot.
Clue 4 - Some cake at a regular cycling cafe stop - bonus for selfie taken in front of cafe stop (Photo: Chris and Ruth)
Chris and Ruth then demonstrated how the humble grit bin can double up as a handy picnic bench
Clue 5 - A roadside bin for grit / salt (Photo: Chris and Ruth)
Best hairdresser name bonus went to Angela W for her picture of MillionHairz in Comberton.
Clue 6- Hairdressers - bonus point for pun-ny name (Photo: Angela W)
Clue 7 - Science or innovation park sign with bike against it (Photo: Chris and Ruth)Clue 8 – a sign for a Drove (Photo: Chris and Ruth)
Chris and Ruth provided this information about their picture of a former school: Whaddon Village Hall was actually built in the 19th century as the Village School and became the Village Hall after the school closed in the 1960s.
Clue 9 – A converted school, bonus point for one that is for community use (Photo: Chris and Ruth)
The judges were impressed with John J's non-Christian place of worship: the Faizan-e-Madina Masjid in St Ives.
Clue 10 - A non-Christian place of worship (Photo: John J)
John J tried to outfox the wily judging panel by submitting multiple pictures of farm machinery and weight limits in the hope no one on the judging panel would notice that other clues were absent. Nice try!
Clue 11 – Farm machinery (Photos: John J)
Clue 12 – Weight limit sign for a bridge (Photo John J)
This round, the judging panel are pleased to report that there was just one clear winner, with Chris and Ruth finding all 12 clues, and also being awarded two bonus points for having a café and cake selfie, and a school that has been repurposed as a village hall.
Thanks again and well done to everyone who took part in any of the eight rounds of iSpysolation. We really hope not to have to revive the quiz because of a further lockdown, but we can run a similar quiz next winter if there is interest. John S