In 1983 the Mile House pub team won ITVs ‘Sporting Chance’. Sporting Chance was a regional TV Quiz Show (similar to Question of Sport) which saw local sporting quiz teams competing in various heats. The teams consisted of 3 members and were joined by a local sporting celebrity. The show which was by invitation only to take part, consisted of 6-8 rounds and was recorded at Wood Street Studios in Newcastle. The Mile House Pub (on Durham Road near to Roseworth) were partnered with various sporting celebrities throughout their appearances on the show. These included Roger Tames – a local sports presenter, Tony Mowbray – previous captain of Middlesbrough FC and Charlie Spedding – a long distance runner who went on to win bronze in the Marathon event at the Olympics a few years later. The show ran over a period of four years and saw this team attempt championship status on a number of occasions. Each time they appeared they got a £40 appearance fee as well as eventually scooping the £250 winner’s prize! Courtesy of Chris Rivers. 
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
I know this is a long shot and ages after this was posted. Does anyone have a contact for Chris Rivers? My father was part of this team (not on the photos) he passed away 9 years ago and I would like to see if he has more photos of this.
Walter lived next door to our family. He did work at Rileys alongside his father and won Mastermind with Magnus Magnusson as Question master his trophy was a specially commissioned crystal head which you saw into the brain. He also appeared on 15 to 1 a number of times and also on a quiz hosted by Jimmy Tarbuck. Walter ended his days in a nursing home on Norton road. One of his friends was Patrick Moore, as astronomy was one of his many interests. Think Walter was self taught and willing to impart of his vast knowledge to anyone wanting help. Was the Brethren the forresters as thats what we remember being mentioned. His father worked for them voluntary. Do know of a photograph of a Forreters gathering.
We lived next door to Walter Dobson at no 45. I remember Walter well, also his lovely frail Mother. Old Mr dobson had his sister living with them for a short time, and my Mother went in and cleaned on a Thursday afternoon, they were good friends. Yes we know a lot of stories about Walter. If Allan wants to know more we would be happy to meet up.
I Knew Walter Dobson and yes, he did live in St.Bernards Rd. He lived with his parents. We owned the corner shop in Tarring Street and he used to often come in, also his father. We sold VOM pies (does anyone remember them ?) and Walter always give them their full title when asking for them ‘Vale of Mowbray’. When I was married Mr and Mrs Dobson and Walter gave us a Book of Poetry for our wedding present. We still have it. He was a very reserved man and yes he was a loner.
I think this is the Walter Dobson that worked at Riley Boilers back in the fifties, also I think it was his son that worked with him if I remember rightly. Worked there myself for some time along side these two gentlemen.
The competition that Dave Moody refers to was BBC’s ‘Supermind’ which was broadcast on
BBC 1 on the evening of Tuesday 28 December 1976. He was up against the latest Mastermind champion, the 1976 Brain of Britain, and somebody from the Round Britain Quiz. Walter Dobson held the title of Mensa Brain of 1976. Congratulations to Walter for beating such august competitors.
I worked with Walter Dobson. He also lived close in Stockton town centre. Walter was a bit of a recluse, very shy but very knowledgeable with facts. He did not win Mastermind as such. He had a very high IQ and was a member of Mensa. He was in a televised competition on the mastermind format with Magnus Magnerson etc. He won a Mensa competition and represented them against a Mastermind champion and two other competition champions. In the practice he came last. But on the real televised BBC programme he won and became Champion of Champions.
If its the same Walter Dobson that I knew, as a child growing up in St.Bernards Road then, yes, he did win Mastermind. He lived along the street from me and I was about 7 or 8 when he won it (1975/76 ish). I remember he displayed the winners ‘trophy’, a crystal cut bowl, in his front window. He was a lovely man, once gave me a present, it was a bottle green leyland daf truck.
I remember Walter Dobson as a small dapper sort of chap. Didn’t know him but my dad always spoke to him as he passed by. I think he lived in St. Bernard Road or Buchanan Street area. I had the impression he was a bit of a loner.
I once saw Walter Dobson on 15 to 1. He did win through to the finals. I did see him on another TV quiz show but don’t remember which.
I cannot find any reference to a Walter Dobson in the Mastermind list of winners from 1972 to 2010…
Walter Dobson of Stockton was a Mastermind Champion, also a Champion of Champions – does anyone know how I can find out more about the man? This is important as the information is required for use in the Stockton Brethren Centenary Book.
I was there to see them triumph! I remember drinking from the winners cup in the Mile House afterwards.Happy days.
I used to work with Tony Kiddle at what was ICI’s North Tees Site (Presently owned by Sabic)
Tony appears on the Mile House team and he was a font of all knowledge and a real character. Sadly, he passed away about 18 months ago shortly after he retired