Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 4th April 2026

4th April, 2026.

It’s a long weekend: as it’s Easter!

We had a public holiday, yesterday: and another on Monday, 6th April.

The fact yesterday was a public holiday was something I’d realised: but didn’t necessarily think through.

Over the past couple of years?

I’ve put in for help from Southend Council’s Essential Living Fund.

They’d give out a grant to people in Southend and Thurrock, and to people outside those areas, but still in Essex.

So?

I visited the relevant website to put in another application: totally forgetting I’d seen news that told me the scheme behind the fund … had been restructured … 

And only remembering this, yesterday, when I saw the relevant forms were no longer available.

There’s a few other options.

But the first option I thought of, was to phone Southend Council, to ask if they knew where these sites could be found.

Completely forgetting that yesterday was a bank holiday: and that, therefore, the office was closed.

The — hopefully polite — email I sent, the one that asks the same question … will get picked up this Tuesday: as Monday’s another bank holiday!

Ever get the feeling I’m frustrated … ?

~≈😩≈~

Actually, that’s a point: my rent goes up, on Monday.

On the Easter Monday bank holiday.

Yes: I know by how much it goes up, too.

I’ve got the letter about it, from my landlord.

So?

I can fill in the online form, on Monday.

Assuming the dratted site lets me!

~≈😒≈~

I mentioned, yesterday, that I was heading for the Romford branch of CeX: as the trains were running, and the place was open.

I had a blu-ray box set — season 21 of the classic era of Dr Who — to sell on.

Something the Romford branch bought for £27.

I couldn’t help but notice something, though.

That CeX were selling this particular boxset, second hand, for £60.

When — at the moment — Amazon are selling the same set for £57·99.

You could argue that CeX are charging the same, effective, price.

Except, of course, Amazon give you a free standard delivery, if your order is over £35.

Given CeX pays discounted rates of Value Added Tax*, of VAT, on the second hand goods they sell … ?

I think someone’s raking it in … 

~≈🤔≈~

Let’s move on.


Yesterday’s Teaser saw Mum† and Debbi‡ putting in their answers: with both scoring five out of five.


 Let’s see how everyone does with today’s questions, shall we?

Here they are, along with the How To, License and video.

Q1)        Dr Denton A. Cooley performed an operation on a dying patient: on 4th April, 1969.   The doctor successfully implanted an artificial what, into the patient: a heart, lung or eye?

Q2)        Governor Evan Mecham was impeached on 4th April, 1988: and removed from his role as Governor.   Governor of where: Alaska, Arizona or Arkansas?

Q3)        4th April is Peace Day.   Where: Angola, Benin or Cameroon?

Q4)        Singer-songwriter, Johnny Borrell, was born on 4th April, 1980.   He’s the current frontman for which British band: the Libertines, Kings of Leon or Razorlight?

Q5)        Finally … ?   Natalie Pike was born on 4th April, 1983.   She’s currently a presenter for which radio station: Capital FM, BBC Radio Manchester or Radio Jackie?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers … 

Q1)        Emma Elizabeth Smith was killed on 3rd April, 1888.   She was thought to have been a victim of whom?

A1)        Jack the Ripper.   (Most modern Ripperologists feel Smith wasn’t a victim of Jack’s: in the hours before her death, she told her landlord she’d been attacked by two or three men, not an individual.)

Q2)        3rd April is the feast day of Richard of Chichester.   He’s the patron of which historic English county: Essex, Sussex or Kent?

A2)        Sussex.

Q3)        June Brown died on 3rd April, 2022.   She played Dot Branning in which BBC show?

A3)        EastEnders.

Q4)        2001: A Space Odyssey debuted on 3rd April, 1968.   Who wrote the short stories the film is based on: Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke or Robert Heinlein?

A4)        Arthur C. Clarke.

Q5)        Finally … ?   The one hundredth Boat Race took place on 3rd April, 1954.   Who won: Oxford or Cambridge?

A5)        Oxford.

Here’s a thought …

“If I know anything, it’s that I never learned anything while I was talking.”

Robert Downey Jr, born April 4, 1965.

And music …

The next ten-question set is on 16th April: it’s about World Voice Day.

Your comments, and today’s answers, will be published in tomorrow’s Teaser.

AI is avoided when writing these questions.

Answers are as accurate as possible: at the time of writing.

Decisions about scores are final.

Thank you for coming: have a good day.

*        I used to work at the Brentwood branch, many years ago: and learnt the company’s VAT registered, and signed up for the VAT-margin scheme.   They only have to pay VAT on the difference between what they paid someone, and what they sold it for.

        (They paid me £27 for the set: and will sell it for £60.   They’d only have to pay VAT on the £33 difference.   About £5·50, if I’ve got the calculations right.)

†        Hello, Mum!

‡        Yes, I did read that article, Debbi: and obviously came away with the wrong idea.   Or possibly thinking of doublethink … 

        Cheers, Debbi!   I can only hope the appointment’s quick … !