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The night at The New Anglers with Phil Ashley as the quiz master has been a tradition for 31 years. Back in 1994, the landlady of The Anglers Rest in Sheffield made a decision to revamp the pub’s entertainment offer by replacing the Tuesday night quiz host. Enter Phil Ashley, a bus driver and regular at the Handsworth local. Since then, Phil has been the man in charge of posing the questions, much to the delight of the customers who appreciate his attentiveness and appropriate volume levels compared to his predecessor.
When the BBC visited, the bar was filled with regular teams, including Dad’s Army, the 10-strong Corner Group, and the renowned Stooges. Many entrants are last-minute additions, creating an atmosphere akin to a last-minute playground football match. Phil, now 73, addresses the crowd from his bar stool, acknowledging the presence of the BBC and initiating the start of another night filled with trivia and music questions.
As the current landlord, Richard Billard has kept The New Anglers true to its old-fashioned charm, including the unchanging format of the quiz. Over the years, like prime ministers, Phil has seen four long-term publicans come and go, yet the essence of the quiz remains the same – ten general knowledge questions followed by 11 music-related ones. The music round has evolved from cassettes to CDs and now Phil’s old Nokia 301 phone connected to the speaker system, all while the loyal regulars cheer, groan, and enjoy Phil’s signature catchphrases.
Despite some usual hiccups like questions being fluffed or music skipping, Phil entertains the crowd with his quirky tricks and witty responses. Throughout the years, Phil has developed close connections with the customers, who stood by him during tough times like his recent health scare that required two emergency heart surgeries. With Phil’s resolve and the enduring support of his family, he continues to host the quiz with the same enthusiasm and humor that have made it a staple at The New Anglers for over three decades
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