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Regional News

If you belong to Facebook why not subscribe to "East Midlands Mensa"? This is a closed group and only current members living in the East Midlands region are allowed to join. Well, we want some exclusivity and a perk of Mensa membership! You'll get advance notification of some of our social events, be able to request/offer lifts to events, get invitations to impromptu events (such as when an international member visits the region and asks to meet up with other members) and more.

I've recently added photographs from our various regional events over the years including the recent Burns Supper and previous winter events of the Blues Party Night, Barn Dance, Mardi Gras Party Night, Valentine Dinner Dance and Taste of India. Also our summer events of the Best of British Party, Drayton Manor Park, Lincoln Day Out, American Independence Day and Twycross Zoo. If you attended any of those, do you have a favourite? I'm currently canvassing opinions on the format of the next winter event in February/March 2015. Would you prefer the venue to be a hotel or village hall? A waiter served meal or DIY (or rather DIO - do it ourselves!) buffet? Disco or other type of music or dancing? Formal, casual or fancy dress? Whatever the format the venue would be easily accessible from somewhere off the M1 to allow more members to attend. There may yet be a regional event in summer 2014 but I would need a volunteer to organise and promote it as summer is my busiest time with work. Please get in touch if you would be willing and able to do that or have suggestions for a family day out within our region.

Out of interest, what do you think of Facebook? Is it a curse or a Godsend? I know people who refuse to subscribe to it because they feel they use a computer screen enough in their working day or don't trust the security. Whilst others are on it nearly 24/7 arranging events, having heated discussions, challenging friends to a game of Scrabble, or sharing photographs. Do let the Empress Editor know your thoughts!

As ever, you can contact me on [Phone Number] or [Email]

Maxine Bates

Regional Officer

Events and Meetings

photo of Val Hinkins

Mid Bucks

On Sat 5th Apr at 2.30pm - Theatre

Join Mark Sandford at High Wycombe's Swan Theatre for a performance of the much loved farce "See How They Run" at 2.30pm on Saturday 5th. Warwick Davis and the Reduced Height Theatre Company present this play, set in the village of Merton-cum-Middlewick, which features comic situations involving local vicars, mistaken identity and many doors. Ticket prices range from £17.00 to £25.00, £2.00 reduction for concessions. Further details available on https://www.wycombeswan.co.uk/Online/. Please buy your own tickets for the theatre, but let Mark know to look out for you on [Phone Number] or by e-mail at [Email]

On Tue 15th Apr at 10.30am - Conversation and coffee

Meet me from 10.30am onwards on Tuesday 15th for a morning of informal conversation and coffee. This month we are returning to the café at Chenies Garden Centre near Little Chalfont, WD3 6EN. Free parking. Delicious cake! A good range of plants, garden tools, garden furniture, gifts and food is also available for sale in the shop. See http://www.vanhage.co.uk/garden-centres/chenies/ for further information and an idea of the goods and services on offer.

The café can get very busy, so if you know in advance you are coming please contact me so I can assemble enough chairs. You will still be welcome if you just turn up on the day.

Val Hinkins

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

More or Leicester

On Sun 6th Apr at 11.00am - Walk

It's tricky thinking about spring as yet another storm batters the UK, however with my "optimist" hat on, I think a nice, sunny spring stroll/dog walk in the lovely Bradgate Park in April would be in order! The plan is to meet up in Newtown Linford at 11.00am on Sunday 6th ; however, please call/email me first as this is obviously very weather dependent!

On Thu 24th Apr at 8:00pm - 4ThOTM

Our usual "Fourth Thursday" at The Craddock Arms on the 24th.

On Tue 29th Apr at 7.30pm - Eating meeting

I'm planning an evening at one of my favourite restaurants in Leicester on Tuesday 29th from 7.30pm. The Boot Room ("http://www.thebootroomeaterie.co.uk) have their special Tuesday night menu with 3 excellent courses for just £16.95. Early booking is absolutely essential, so please call/email me as soon as possible, but definitely before 1st April!

I hope to see you there!

Paul Coulson

photo of Christine Howells

Lively Lincs

On Sat 12th Apr at 12.05pm - Pub discussion

A fairly quiet month, just the usual, starting with our pub discussion at the Adam and Eve on Lindum Hill, Lincoln on Saturday 12th. This time we will be chatting about whether one should finish a boring book, leading on to why one should do anything boring whether it be to enlighten oneself, help another or what else might qualify as an acceptable reason? We meet up from 12.05pm, some order lunch, topic discussion starts around 12.30pm and we continue chatting until 2.00, or 3.00, or . . . Feel free to join us when you like, for as long as you like, to listen or to contribute. Free pub car park, look for the Mblem, usually in the alcove.

On Sun 27th Apr at 3.00pm - Teatime Thinking

Our monthly armchair travels at my house near Alford on Sunday 27th, 3.00-5.00pm, sees us venturing to Japan, fortified by the usual tea and cakes. You're welcome to join us to contribute your knowledge about any aspect of Japan: history, flora, art, politics, etc., or just listen to others' researches.

No midweek meal this month, Easter is in the way, but normal service should be resumed over the summer.

Contact me for further details, encouragement, etc.

Christine Howells

Contact [Email] for details

photo of Ian Sargent

Northants NNotes

On Tue 15th Apr at 7.30pm - Pub meeting

On Tuesday 15th from 7.30pm onwards, I'm happy to host an "on-demand" meeting at The Windhover Pub on Brampton Road, Northampton. What does that mean? Well, if you give me a call or email, I'll be there to meet you from about 7.30pm onwards. Look out for the magazine or yellow Mblem to find me!

I look forward to seeing you there,

Paul Coulson

On Sat 5th Apr at 10.30am - Countryside walk and lunch

This should have taken place last September but had to be cancelled at the last minute as I pranged my car a couple of days beforehand. Hopefully no disasters will befall it this time.

Join me for a 4 mile walk in the North Northamptonshire countryside on Saturday 5th at 10.30am. The meeting point is outside the Tollemache Arms, High Street, Harrington, NN6 9NU, and we will pay a visit to the pub afterwards for lunch. If you can't make the walk you are welcome to join us for the lunch around 12.30pm.

This walk is weather permitting so best to contact me the day before.

Ian Sargent

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] / [Mobile Number] for details

*Editor: I thought 'Tollemache' an unusual name so I looked it up:

The pub was named after the Reverend Tollemache, whose family graves stand in the churchyard of St. Paul. His replacement Reverend Atkins procured the pub in the 1800s and closed it on Sundays in the hope of boosting the church audience!

photo of Maxine Bates

Notts News

On Sat 5th Apr at 8.00pm - 5OTM

Join a merry band of Mensans from 8.00pm on Saturday 5th at the Vat & Fiddle pub on Queensbridge Road. Look for the Mblem on the table, usually in the Golding's Room to the left of the bar. All welcome!

On Thu 10th Apr at 7.30pm - Natter & Nosh

On Thursday 10th we'll be at the Beekeeper pub/restaurant on Meadow Lane in Beeston. The venue is not affected by the current tram works and has a large car park. Find us on the first table beyond the end of the bar displaying a yellow Mblem any time from 7.30pm until late. We are usually last to leave the pub! It's part of the Hungry Horse chain so good value food and drink and you are welcome to join us for either or both.

On Wed 23rd Apr at 7.00pm - At home

I'm trying to arrange an 'at home' event most months and this time I invite you to my home in Langley Mill on Wednesday 23rd for an evening of socialising and optional boardgames. The start time is 7.00pm which will enable us to fetch a fish and chip supper for anyone interested. Traditional English cuisine to celebrate St George's Day! Or come along later if you don't want feeding. I'll provide hot and soft drinks or bring whatever else you'd like to drink. Please let me know if you plan to attend this event or need directions. And do get in touch if you'd be interested in hosting an 'at home' event. They are usually a very pleasant and cheap night out.

This month our regular 'eating meeting' goes on location to Leicester and will be hosted by Paul Coulson at 7.30pm on Tuesday 29th. See the Leicester section for further details.

Ciao for now!

Maxine Bates

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

Derby Diary

On Wed 16th Apr at 7.30pm - 3WOTM

Just our one regular get-together this month from 7.30pm on Wednesday 16th at the Standing Order (Wetherspoon) on Irongate in the city centre. No need to pre-book, just turn up on the night and look for Mblem on a long table in the rear section of the pub. Feel free to contact me if needing directions or nervous about attending for the first time.

Some of you may also be interested in my 'at home' event on Wednesday 23rd as I'm in Langley Mill on the Notts/Derbys border. See the Notts News section for further details.

Maxine Bates

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

photo of Richard Allen

Hertfordshire Happenings

On Thu 3rd Apr at 8.15pm - FThOTM

Thursday 3rd at 8.15pm - FThOTM: celebrate the arrival of spring! As ever, we're at the Millstream, Cambridge Road, Hitchin. Good food and good beer both available! Call me for more details and encouragement. The pub is about ten minutes' walk from the railway station.

On Fri 25th Apr at 8.00pm - LFOTM

Friday 25th at 8.00pm - LFOTM: we'll be at the Cowper Arms, Digswell, Herts (by Welwyn North station). Call me for more details and encouragement. The pub is next to the railway station, which is served by stopping trains from Kings Cross to Cambridge and Peterborough.

Richard Allen

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

photo of Jo Sidebottom

Mensans in MK & Bedford

On Sun 13th Apr at 10.00am - Sunday breakfast

Please join us for breakfast at 10.00am on Sunday 13th - note the new earlier time. Also please note we are returning to Carluccio's in the Centre:MK - probably in one of the red booths in front of the restaurant. Come for a full breakfast, a snack, or just a drink - look for the Mblem on a table.

On Mon 21st Apr at 8.30pm - 3MOTM

On Monday 21st we continue our Third Monday of the Month quiz meetings at The Barge at Woolstone. We meet from 8.30pm in time for the quiz at 9.00pm - cost is £1 per person. See www.vintageinn.co.uk/thebargewoolstone/ for location and, if possible, let me know beforehand if you're coming so we can reserve a big enough table.

On Tue 29th Apr at 8.00pm - Eating meeting - Greek meal

Our final get-together this month is a Greek meal in Bedford. We will be going to the Greek Villager in Bromham Road (the old La Fontana site) at 8.00pm on Tuesday 29th. Please let me know by Sunday 27th if you plan to come, so I can book a table.

Just a reminder about our M-MK & Bedford Facebook group - if you would like to join please search for the group and send me a request. I also keep an email distribution list for meeting reminders and any last-minute changes, so if you would like to be added to this please let me know.

We hope to see as many of you as possible at one or other of our events in April. Do remember that you're welcome to bring a guest with you, so if you've never been to a Mensa event and are a little nervous about coming along on your own, just bring a friend.

Jo Sidebottom

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] / [Mobile Number] for details

Editor's Bit at the Bottom

This is my last Empress before my split summer break. So if you've anything for the May, June, August or September Empresses, please send to Nick on [Email]. I shall be back to cover July, then October through to the end of the year.

It's nearly 10 years since I became an editor (September 2004 was my first issue) and I'm beginning to think the Empress deserves a make-over for the new year from someone with fresh ideas. I'd like to hand over my January-April issues. Could they be yours? Have a think about it.

Rosie Jefferson

Mulled Mensans

We had six different types of mulled alcohol. We started with a white wine (which had herbs rather than spices) then moved on to a traditional wassailing drink called Sheep's Wool (well, we had to with Stewart Kennedy as part of the proceedings!). That can be made with either beer or cider; we chose the latter on this occasion (although when we practised with the beer it was frothier, so more like the 'wool' in the name). Then we headed to Scandinavia for some Glögg (Norwegian mulled red wine with nuts and raisins) before going back in time for some Victorian mulled wine (which actually uses port) with some mulled cider and beer en route. A very interesting selection of drinks, it has to be said. I'd even make some of them again!

What will you do in April?

Fancy a drink?

The Craddock Arms, Leicester; The Windhover, Northampton; The Vat & Fiddle, Nottingham; The Millstream, Hitchin; The Cowper Arms, Digswell; or The Standing Order, Derby.

Or how about a meal?

Breakfast at Carluccio's, Milton Keynes; lunch at The Adam and Eve, Lincoln; take tea at Chenies Garden Centre, Little Chalfont; or dine at The Greek Villager, Bedford; The Boot Room, Leicester; or The Beekeeper, Beeston.

Stretch your mind?

Try the quiz at The Barge, Woolstone; or boardgames at Langley Mill.

Stretch your legs?

Take a stroll in Bradgate Park; or a walk from The Tollemache* Arms, Harrington.

Go far away - yet stay where you are?

Armchair travel to Japan while sitting in Alford.

Did you know that Mount Everest's oldest climber is Japanese?

Oldest person to scale Mount Everest says climb will be his last

The oldest person to climb Mount Everest today (26th May 2013) announced that he will not make any further attempts to scale the world's highest peak.

Yuichiro Miura, who reached the 29,035ft (8,850m) peak at the age of 80 on Thursday, said: 'I think three times is enough. At this point I could not think of anything but rest.'

Miura became famous when he was a young man as a daredevil speed skier. He skied down Everest's South Col in 1970, using a parachute to break his descent, which was captured in the Oscar-winning 1975 documentary, 'The Man Who Skied Down Everest.' He has also skied down Mount Fuji.

It was not until Miura was 70, however, that he first climbed to the top of Everest. When he reached the summit again at the age of 75, he claimed to be the only man to accomplish the feat twice in his 70s. After that, he said he was determined to climb again at age 80.

His feat is even more remarkable as he underwent heart surgery in January for an irregular heartbeat, his fourth heart operation since 2007. He also broke his pelvis and left thigh bone in a 2009 skiing accident.

20 Questions (No. 151)

Did you guess the answers to the finance quiz in the February issue? They were Australian pound, 5, Irish pound/punt, Jean Claude Trichet, humming bird, Queen Elizabeth II, annual equivalent rate, £1.77, Nigeria, stagflation, David Lloyd George, Brian Lenihan Junior, Bourse, Nick Leeson, The Old Lady of Threadneedle Street, the rise and fall of the stock market (bulls are buyers and bears are sellers), 1720, secretary of the treasury, Matthew Boulton and James Watt, and 1983. Entries from Chris Impey of Tring, David Lewis of Hitchin, Tony Dodd of Belvoir, Roger Plant of Nottingham, Pamela Covey of Woburn and Una Adams of Corby. The winner is Una.

For your chance to win a £10 book token send your answers to arrive by 20th April to '20 Questions (No. 151)', [Address], or by email to maxine@marubaevents.com but don't forget to include your name and address! The subject is England as we celebrate St George's Day this month. With thanks to Jo Sidebottom for compiling it.

1. On which date was Queen Elizabeth II crowned?

2. What is the highest mountain in England?

3. Who was Prime Minister immediately before Margaret Thatcher?

4. Which song has been adopted as an anthem by England rugby fans?

5. What biscuit was named after Queen Victoria's holiday home on the Isle of Wight?

6. Who used to live at the famous address Number One London?

7. In which year was the Magna Carta signed?

8. Who did William the Conqueror defeat to become king of England?

9. Lords is home to which English cricket club?

10. Who reportedly said 'England is a nation of shopkeepers'?

11. What was the score when England won the 1966 World Cup against West Germany?

12. Who was the mother of Queen Elizabeth I?

13. Which London building opened to the public for the first time in the summer of 1993?

14. Against which king was the infamous gunpowder plot of 1605 directed?

15. The Queen missed the Epsom Derby for the first time in 1984 but where was she?

16. 'Bring me my spear o clouds unfold' is from which traditionally English song?

17. Who did King Alfred defeat in 878 saving England from invasion?

18. What was originally traded at Covent Garden market?

19. What did King Richard II once pawn because he was so short of funds?

20. Which famous Quaker pointedly kept his hat on when he met Charles II?