They usually sit peacefully side by side in Highgate’s Pond Square but the old rivalry between the Highgate Society and the Highgate Scientific and Literary Institution (HLSI) resurfaced at an annual quiz.

Members were tested on their trivia, music and general knowledge, as well as on their expertise on the village, at the quiz on Tuesday evening. Only a handful of points separated the two sides but it was the Highgate Society who came out on top to win the revered Merry Mug – named after the late Isla Merry, a stalwart of the community.

Kirsten de Keyser, chairman of the society, said: “It was quite rewarding to show them that we know things as well.”

Stephen Hodge, president of the HLSI, retorted: “I was gutted because half of their team were actually our members!”