Intelligent Company of the Year 2018
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Regional News

Thanks once again to everyone who is hosting a social event this month. If you have any suggestions for walking routes over the summer months, plays or concerts at your local theatre, good pub quizzes, guest speakers, visits to places of interest, behind the scenes tours of your workplace or anything else please do get in touch with either myself or your Local Officer who would be delighted to hear from you. Doing something different to all the regular but popular eating and drinking events is always good.

At the time of writing I'm trying to decide at what level of difficulty to set the quiz for our regional event as we have junior members coming as well as the current holder of the 'brain of Mensa' title. Somewhat of a dilemma! However, by the time you read this it will all be over and I hope those who attended at least learned some interesting trivia, enjoyed a nice meal, maybe won a raffle prize and made some new friends.

Thanks to those who travelled from as far as Scunthorpe and Welwyn to join us for the buffet and quiz night.

I'm on [Phone Number] or [Email] if you'd like to get in touch.

Maxine Bates

Regional Officer

Editorial

Welcome to the April Edition of Empress. I am back for the following three months.

I am writing this editorial while looking through the window and enjoying the snowy views from the comfort of my home. I hope that by the time you read this edition of Empress I will be surrounded by flowering views. I can only hope!

Now the weather is improving, clear up the winter cobwebs and join us in one of the many events happening this month. We also have three very different articles this month, starting with an Intelligent competition for you and your workmates. We have a vacancy as Regional Publications Officer and finally, how much do you know about how your personal data is stored by Mensa? Intrigued? Sit down, relax and enjoy the reading.

Maria Falces

Events and Meetings

In Leicestershire

On Mon 16th Apr at 8:00pm - Pub Social

Join us for our usual convivial third Monday of the Month gathering at the Cradock Arms, 201 Knighton Road, Leicester, LE2 3TT. We usually gather in the lower part towards the rear of the bar. Look out for the magazine or M-blem. For directions or encouragement please contact me on [Phone Number] or by email at [Email].

On Sat 28th Apr at 7:00pm - Pub meal

This time the last Saturday of the month's meal is at the Sugar Loaf, 2 Nottingham Road, Ab Kettleby, Melton Mowbray LE14 3JB. We hope you will join us but please let Sue know that you are coming by the Mon 23rd April. Contact Sue on [Phone Number] or [Email]

Lively Lincs

On Sat 14th Apr at 12:00pm - Pub discussion

Our regular second Saturday meeting. Join us in the alcove of the Adam and Eve, 25 Lindum Road (opposite Pottergate arch) for a discussion around "Does hardship make a person stronger?" All welcome. Contact Jacquie on [Phone Number] or [Email]. for more details/encouragement.

On Thu 26th Apr at 7:00pm - Chinese Meal

We return to an old favourite, Phoenix Chinese Restaurant, 18a-20 High Street, Lincoln, LN2 8DB. For more details/encouragement, ring [Phone Number] or email [Email]. Booking is essential so please contact Jacquie by Saturday 21st.

Jacquie Harrison

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

photo of Maxine Bates

Notts News

On Thu 5th Apr at 8:00pm - 5OTM

How did you spend the Easter break? Come and tell us in the Goldings Room at the Vat & Fiddle pub (near Nottingham railway station and adjacent to Castle Rock Brewery). Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks available plus a range of conversation. Look for yellow Mblem on table. Contact Maxine on [Phone Number] or [Email] or just turn up on the night. New faces welcome!

On Thu 12th Apr at 7:30pm - Natter & Nosh

Join us for a meal or later for just a drink at the Cadland, High Road, Chilwell, NG9 5EG. Look for yellow Mblem on a long table to the far side of the bar. Further details from Maxine on [Phone Number] or [Email] if needed or just turn up and say hello.

On Tue 17th Apr at 7:00pm - 3TuOTM

This regular event in Newark is getting popular. Come along to The Ram on Castle Gate from 7.00pm for food or just a drink and some good conversation. Look for yellow Mblem on a table to the right as you enter. For directions/encouragement phone Pete on [Phone Number] or email [Email]

On Tue 24th Apr at 7:30pm - Eating Meeting

A return to the popular Gino's Italian restaurant, Church Street, Ruddington, NG11 6HD. See menu at www.ginos-nottingham.com. 20% discount for diners ordering a starter and main course. Book your place with Maxine on [Phone Number] or [Email] by 20th please.

Ciao for now!

Maxine Bates

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

News from Northampton

On Sun 8th Apr at 10:30am - Brunch

Our usual breakfast/brunch meeting will be on Sunday 8 April at 10:30 at the Rendezvous Coffee Shop in Market Walk in Northampton Town Centre. We'll be recalling the best Christmas/birthday present we ever had. Contact Marianne on [Phone Number] or email: [Email] for encouragement.

On Sat 21st Apr at 11:00am - Country Walk

This is a 3-mile circular route from Brixworth through the Northants countryside (weather permitting), followed by a pub lunch. It offers quite varied scenery - through the village, across fields and along the old railway line. Meet outside the Coach & Horses, Harborough Road, Brixworth NN6 9BX. Any questions, ring Ian on [Phone Number] or email sarge.northampton@btinternet.com

photo of Richard Allen

Hertfordshire Happenings

On Thu 5th Apr at 8:00pm - FThOTM

Will spring be in the air? As ever, we are at the Three Magnets, Leys Avenue, Letchworth! Thursday nights are curry nights but other food (standard Wetherspoons' fare) is available as well. Leys Avenue is the main shopping street in Letchworth and is a few minutes' walk from the station (Kings Cross to Cambridge line). Call me on [Phone Number] for more details and encouragement.

On Fri 27th Apr at 8:00pm - LFOTM

As ever, we are at the Cowper Arms, Digswell. The pub is next to Welwyn North station and is served by stopping trains from Kings Cross to Peterborough and Cambridge. Good food, beer and conversation guaranteed! Please call me on [Phone Number] for more details and encouragement.

Richard Allen

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

photo of Jo Sidebottom

Mensans in MK & Bedford

On Fri 6th Apr at 11:00am - Walk & lunch

Join us for a lakeside/redway walk around Mount Farm/Ashland, followed by a pub lunch. Meet in the car park of the Inn on the Lake, Bond Avenue, Mount Farm, at 11am. Please let me know if you are coming so I can book a table. Contact Jo at [Email], or [Phone Number] / [Phone Number] for directions/encouragement.

On Mon 16th Apr at 8:15pm - 3MOTM Quiz

Our monthly quiz outing to The Barge at Woolstone. Meet from 8.15 for a 8.30pm start - cost is £1 per person. Please let me know if you are coming so I know if we will be one team or two. Contact Jo at [Email], or [Phone Number] / [Phone Number] for directions/encouragement.

On Sun 29th Apr at 10:00am - Breakfast

Join us from 10am at Brown's, on Midsummer Blvd next to Jury's Inn, for a full breakfast, a snack, or just a drink - look out for the Mblem. Contact Jo at [Email], or [Phone Number] / [Phone Number] for directions/encouragement.

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 this month. 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

photo of Val Hinkins

Mid Bucks

On Sun 1st Apr at 12:30pm - Lunch

Join me for lunch on Easter Day at the Golden Cross in Saunderton, HP14 4HU. Location and further details at http://www.goldencrosspub.co.uk/ Please contact me on [Phone Number] or e-mail me at [Email] by Thursday 22nd March so that I can book a table.

On Sun 1st Apr at 2:30pm - Chiltern Walk

After lunch we will walk through the Chilterns from the Golden Cross to High Wycombe. Approximately six miles, some hills. Starting from Saunderton, where the station was burnt down in a Suffragette protest in 1913, we will pass a number of sites associated with the Suffragette pilgrimage later that year. For further information call me on [Phone Number] or e-mail me at [Email]

On Mon 9th Apr at 8:00pm - Indoor Games

A new venue this month in High Wycombe, where we will enjoy our usual relaxed evening of indoor board games. Tea and coffee provided. Please contact Dave for directions and to discuss what games you would like to play on [Phone Number] or by e-mail at [Email]

On Fri 20th Apr at 10:30am - Coffee & Chat

Coffee at The Cedar Coffee Shop, 28 West Street, Marlow, Bucks, SL7 2NB. Lovely food and good coffee. No need to book, but if you want me to look out for you, let me know you are coming on [Phone Number] or e-mail me at [Email]

For further details or encouragement contact me on [Phone Number] or e-mail me at [Email]

Val Hinkins

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

photo of Susan Graves

Derby Diary

On Sat 14th Apr at 11:30am - Erewash Museum

Explore this award winning local museum (postcode DE7 5JA) and take in the activities at their Folk inspired day. We'll have a bite of lunch somewhere nearby too. Meet just outside the entrance, look for the magazine. Let me know you are coming, so I can look out for you, by emailing [Email] or ringing Susan or Mark on [Phone Number]

On Wed 18th Apr at 7:30pm - 3WOTM

Find us on a long table in the rear low ceiling area of the Standing Order on Iron Gate from 7.30pm until late for food and/or drink. Usual Wetherspoon menu plus chicken club tonight. Contact Maxine on [Phone Number] or [Email] or just turn up on the night and look for a yellow Mblem and happy faces.

On Sat 21st Apr at 2:00pm - Afternoon Tea

A traditional afternoon tea to celebrate the Queen's birthday. Venue is Beaurepaire Patisserie, King Street, Belper, and we have their parlour on the top floor for private use. Cost £14.95 per person including a selection of finger sandwiches, salad garnish, homemade cakes, scones with jam and cream plus unlimited tea or coffee. Numbers strictly limited and pre-booking essential. Contact Maxine on [Phone Number] or [Email] to reserve your place.

Susan Graves

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

What is Mensa doing in the run-up to GDPR in May?

This is a shorter version of the info carried in Jenny's Mensa Matters column in the March Magazine.

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) becomes law on May 25, meaning organisations which use and store personal data - like Mensa - now need to get explicit permission from people about how that data is handled.

It will no longer be able for an organisation to assume that if someone has ticked the terms and conditions on a website, they are OK with their email address being used to then try to sell something.

Quite a bit of preparatory work has already been done on the Mensa database to prepare for GDPR, but between now and the implementation date you will be asked for your permission on the use of data.

In practice, not a lot will change. Mensa doesn't hold a huge amount of personally-identifiable data as it isn't relevant to the way the society operates - and Mensa never shares your details with third parties.

The main change for Mensa is in how you want us to make contact with you. There will still be essential contact regards your membership status. This will not change and applies to all members. Members will, however, in future be able to state their preference as to how they want to receive information about society news, events etc.

In the coming months, whenever you make contact with the society, such as logging into the website or phoning the office, you might be asked to state your preferences. You might also receive an email.

It might seem a little annoying, but it is for your benefit - so if you could complete the consent process when you see it, it will be a huge help!

GDPR doesn't cover data that is legitimately needed for the day to day running of the society, but it does give you control over how the society contacts you.

There is one important point members need to be aware of though, before giving your consent in one particular area. GDPR allows individuals to ask any organisation to delete all their personal data from the system - if you were to choose that option, there would no longer be a traceable record of your test scores so, if at some time in the future you wished to rejoin . . .you would have to retake the test!

Do you have experience in newsletter production?

Keith Brough was a volunteer newsletter editor in different regions and then stepped up to take on the role of Regional Publications Officer. After many years of helping to recruit and develop new newsletter editors, Keith has stepped down and we are looking for someone to continue the good work that is produced by our regional editors.

The editors sometimes need help, advice or someone to share suggestions with. So, the ideal candidate will understand the editorial process, have some knowledge of desktop publishing, formatting and other presentation skills, be able to work in a team, to support, guide and motivate others, have good interpersonal skills, be able to communicate clearly and effectively and be able to deal with conflict and challenge in a positive way.

There is also an annual editors' conference that the RPO plans with the communications manager and magazine editor for training and development.

If you are interested in learning more about this position as a Mensa volunteer, do please send an e-mail to applications@mensa.org.uk for the Job description and application form or look in the members area ofwww.mensa.org.uk in the news section for the advert and download the forms.

The Intelligent Company of the Year award

British Mensa has agreed to work in association with the Intelligent Company, founded by Hungarian Mensa member Gábor Rutai, on a new initiative in the UK called the Intelligent Company of the Year award.

Any business or organisation that is based in the UK and has five or more employees is eligible to enter the contest for the title Intelligent Company of the Year 2018.

The company running this competition launched a similar award five years ago in Hungary and has enlisted such well-known enterprises as Nokia, Ericsson, Vodafone, Morgan Stanley and Hewlett-Packard as well as key players of the local SME sector, each in their respective category.

It is a unique opportunity to raise awareness of British Mensa and invite high performing individuals to consider joining the society.

The contest comprises two rounds: an online test in the first one, followed by a second, in-house test for the best performing teams. Mensa members and previous test-takers can make up to 50 per cent of team members, contributing their Mensa scores to their team's overall results.

British Mensa members are encouraged to enter their business in the competition or draw their employer's attention to this opportunity.

Applications are open until the end of May but the sooner you enter, the higher up your name will be among the contestant list on the website.

The Intelligent Company hopes to see as many as 200 companies entering the competition this year with the ambition of making this an annual event.

Visit intelligentcompany.co.uk to apply and/or for more information.

20 Questions (No. 198)

Did you know the answers to the sports questions from the February issue? They were Uruguay, 300cm, 1977, Mark Selby, gold, 3 points, Aga Khan, St Moritz, 3, Dionico Ceron, Jamaica, the equestrian jumping team of Harry Llewellen/Duggie Stewart/Wilf White, Fijian, Leicestershire, Putney bridge, 16, Greg LeMond, Canada, 9 and Stanley Matthews. Congratulations to Helene Parry of Brentford who wins the £10 book token.

Dog lovers may enjoy this month's quiz. Send your entries to arrive by 20th April by post to '20 Questions (No. 198)', [Address], or by email to [Email]

1. Normal adult dogs have how many teeth?

2. Through what part of the body do dogs sweat?

3. Who wrote the novel 'The Hundred And One Dalmatians'?

4. What is the most common one word training command taught to dogs?

5. What is the name of the dog act that won Britain's Got Talent in 2015?

6. Puppies are normally delivered after how many weeks of gestation?

7. What is the favourite dog breed of Queen Elizabeth II?

8. What was the name of Dorothy's dog in the 'Wizard Of Oz'?

9. Which dog breed is the smallest in the world?

10. Which breed was once known as St John's Newfoundland?

11. A puggle is a cross between which two dog breeds?

12. What is the name of Mickey Mouse's pet dog?

13. Which dogs yodel instead of bark?

14. Dalmatian puppies are born which colour?

15. Since 1991 Crufts dog show has been held in which British city?

16. What is the name of the dog on the HMV logo?

17. The Chihuahua originated in which country?

18. How many chambers are there in a dog's heart?

19. Which dog breed has a black tongue?

20. Gromit lives at which address?