CHRISTIAN youngsters from across Oxfordshire will be able to enjoy a quiz together for the first time in eight years this week.

The Christian Youth Quiz, which last took place in 2006, is being revived on Friday.

Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Blackbird Leys is bringing the event, which was started by Oxford Deanery Youth in 2002, back to life.

Father Nazariuz Mgungwe from the church said: “Youngsters have decided on the topics, which will have questions about the Bible, as well as things like music, television, sports and so on.

“I have invited lots of different youth groups from across Oxfordshire, and several have already said that they are coming. We would like to see as many young people involved as possible. The winners will be able to hold the shield for one year.”

The idea to revive the quiz came from Mike Ward, who leads a youth group in Kidlington.

He said: “I don’t know why it stopped. I’m guessing because these things are usually driven by parents or parishioners and for some reason that resource wasn’t forthcoming.

“I thought it would be good to see a renewed effort in getting the kids to come together from across Oxfordshire. There are at least 15, and they should be able to meet and socialise.”

Currently groups from Banbury, Chipping Norton and Blackfriars have signed up to the quiz, but Mr Ward hopes more will get in touch to register their interest before Friday.

The 46-year-old said: “We think it’s important to keep that momentum going. “Hopefully this will be the beginning of a quarterly meet-up.

“Most of these groups meet once a week or once a month anyway, so we can maybe do some bigger events every three months with everyone together.

“We do try and link it to the church but it’s not boring. Our Kidlington group do trips to Thorpe Park, hill walking and game nights.”

Shaznay Banza, 14, is one of the young people involved in the quiz. She said: “It’s going to be really good and we are all helping to organise it.

“We wanted a group youth quiz for people our age and to have questions for our generation that we would be good at.”

Shaznay, who lives in Blackbird Leys, said that it was important for her to have other Christian friends. She said: “We can get to know each other and spend time together.”

  • The quiz night is taking place at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Balfour Road from 7pm-9pm. For more information call Father Mgungwe 01865 776903.