Image by Sue Rickhuss from Pixabay
Some Mensans visited the Museum of
Timekeeping last June.
Regional News
Summer is here and we have an array of events to tempt you out this month. Daytime, evening, midweek, weekend, suitable for all ages and budgets so hopefully something for everyone. Don?t forget you are welcome to bring a non-member guest along. You are also very welcome to suggest places to visit and things to do for future events. Please contact myself or any of the Local Officers. Following a request from a member we are trying to indicate which events are wheelchair friendly. However, we realise that wheelchair/mobility scooter users may have different levels of mobility. So whilst a venue may have disabled parking or a level entrance or ramp to enter, their toilet facilities may not have wider doors or hoists/handles as needed if not one of the major chains of establishments. If you have questions about any of our events please do contact the host for clarification.
A reminder that we have a regional web page at www.eastmidsmensa.org.uk where you can find photos of all the East Midlands officers, so if you're new and want to see who you are looking for at a certain event take a peek. Please note that we have several members who kindly host events who aren?t officers so their photos are not included on our web page.
Maxine Bates
Regional Officer
Editorial
Empress does not close for the summer so if you are around enjoying the lovely British weather, why don't you join us?
We have a couple of rearranged events happening in August as well as picnics, walks in the park, canal boat trips etc.
However, should you feel like staying at home well, we also have some online games and a relaxed Zoom meeting, so no excuses.
Check out for the Extra articles and reviews, as well as links to all the events and obviously, photos in full color.
Enjoy the reading.
Maria Falces
Events and Meetings
Derby Diary
On Wed 10th Aug at 1:00pm - Lunch
NOTE NEW VENUE AND TIME! Join us at "Park Life Cafe", inside Belper River Gardens, just off the A6. https://m.facebook.com/parklifecafeswisstearooms/. Plenty of parking, walks, river views, boats for hire. Light lunches, including vegetarian/vegan options, cakes, icecream, hot/soft drinks etc. Dog and wheelchair friendly. Booking not essential but helpful; contact Helen on [Phone Number] or [Email]. ♿
On Sun 14th Aug at 1:30pm - Classic Vehicle Show
Join us for a sociable wander around the free Ilkeston Heritage and Classic Vehicle Show which is in Ilkeston Market Place> and surrounding streets. See classic and sports cars, motorbikes, scooters, lorries, buses, tractors and steam engines. Family friendly. Meet outside St Mary's Church (DE7 5HY). Please let me know if you are thinking of coming so I can look out for you. Contact Susan on [Email] or [Phone Number].
On Wed 17th Aug at 7:30pm - 3WOTM
This month we will be at Mr Grundy's, Ashbourne Road, Derby, DE22 3AD (part of the Georgian House Hotel, entrance round the back). We have a separate room booked - ask for "Susan's Group". Come along to eat or just for a drink. Pub food and separate pizza menu available. Please let me know if you are thinking of coming. Wheelchair accessible. Contact Susan on [Email] or [Phone Number].
Susan Graves
Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] / [Mobile Number] for details
Hertfordshire Happenings
On Thu 4th Aug at 8:00pm - FThOTM
This is our monthly meeting at the Three Magnets, in Leys Avenue. This is one of the main shopping streets of Letchworth, and is a short walk from the railway station, which is served by frequent trains between London and Cambridge.Please call or text Steve on [Phone Number], or email [Email] for further information and encouragement.
On Fri 26th Aug at 8:00pm - LFOTM
As ever, we are at the Cowper Arms, Digswell (next to Welwyn North station) from 8 pm. The restriction on numbers has been relaxed, but if you want to come, please can you call me on [Phone Number] by Friday 19th August to avoid disappointment, as it does get busy there on Friday nights.
Steve Thomas
Contact [Email] or [Mobile Number] for details
In Leicestershire
On Mon 15th Aug at 8:00pm - Pub Social
Join me for our usual convivial third Monday of the month gathering at the welcoming Cradock Arms, 201 Knighton Road, Leicester, LE2 3TT. The pub serves real ales, hot drinks and food if you want it. You are welcome to bring a friend or partner. Look out for the Mblem or Magazine. If you need any directions or encouragement, please contact me on [Phone Number] or at [Email].
Haydn Starkie
Contact [Email] or [Mobile Number] for details
Lively Lincs
On Sat 13th Aug at 12:00pm - 2SOTM pub discussion
Our regular meeting at the Adam & Eve Tavern. This month's topic: 'The reasonable man adapts himself to the world. The unreasonable man persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man.(G.B. Shaw)' All welcome. Car park, food, decent ales. We have to book, so please contact me by Friday 12th if you hope to come. Email [Email] or telephone [Phone Number].
On Tue 23rd Aug at 12:00pm - Tapas lunch
Join us for a great lunch at Olé Olé, a large, well established Spanish tapas restaurant at The Lawn, near Lincoln Castle. Large car park nearby. All welcome, and you can bring a guest, but I'll need to book so please let me know by Tuesday 16th. Email [Email] or telephone [Phone Number].
On Sat 27th Aug at 10:30am - Zoom coffee morning
A virtual meet-up for those who don't - or do! - come to our meetings in person. Old and new friends very welcome, regardless of where you live. Bring your own coffee and a cup or two of conversation! Please email me in advance on [Email] and I will send the Zoom link.
Jacquie Harrison
Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] / [Mobile Number] for details
Mid Bucks
On Sun 7th Aug at 2:00pm - Games Afternoon
Please join Dave and Alison online for a relaxed and informal Sunday afternoon of board games and chat. All members and friends are welcome. We play most Sundays using www.boardgamearena.com and Jitsi for chat. Further details are on the main Mensa web site. For more information please contact Dave a few days beforehand. Either telephone him on [Phone Number] or e-mail to [Email]
On Thu 11st Aug at 11:45am - River Trip & Lunch
Join me on a river trip from Higginson Park, Marlow, SL7 2AE to Temple Lock and back, £8.50 pp. See Short Trips - Salter's Steamers (salterssteamers.co.uk) for details. Then enjoy an informal lunch in Marlow. Please contact me on [Phone Number] or e-mail me at [Email] to let me know you are coming.
On Fri 19th Aug at 10:30am - Coffee & Chat
Join me for coffee and chat at Magnolia park, Valley Road, Hughenden Valley, High Wycombe HP14 4LA https://www.facebook.com/Magnoliaparkwycombe/ Free car park. 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
Mensans in MK & Bedford
On Mon 15th Aug at 7:00pm - Book Group
Join us in the foyer of Jury's Inn Hotel on Midsummer Boulevard as we discuss the next book in our series. Contact [Email], or [Phone Number] / [Phone Number] for more details.
On Sat 20th Aug at 2:00pm - Treasure Trail
Join us for a fun treasure trail around the market town of Winslow (between Buckingham and MK). Contact me beforehand for meeting point so I can bring enough copies - [Email], or [Phone Number] / [Phone Number].
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
News from Northampton
On Sun 7th Aug at 10:00am - Introduction to Cricket
For those who have never been to a professional cricket match: Northants Steelbacks v Essex Eagles in the Royal London Cup. Advance tickets from just £2 for this 1-day game. Meet at the County Ground's Abington Avenue entrance. Contact me on [Phone Number] or [Email]
On Sat 13th Aug at 10:30am - Pub Walk
Country walk. Jurassic Way, farmland and disused railway. Meet at 'The Red Lion' Stockwell Lane, Hellidon, Daventry NN11 6LG (516 582) OS 206. 6.5km (2 hrs 10 mins). Drink afterwards at 12.45 at 'The Red Lion' Stockwell Lane, Hellidon. NN11 6LG. For help or encouragement [Phone Number], [Email]
On Sat 20th Aug at 11:00am - Country Walk
A 3-4 mile stroll through the north Northants countryside. Meet in the car park at Twywell Hills & dales Nature Reserve, accessed from the A510 or Junction 11of the A14, a few miles east of Kettering. A circular walk with a pub stop half-way for refreshments. Contact me on [Phone Number] or [Email]
Notts News
On Fri 5th Aug at 1:00pm - Picnic
Bring a picnic to lovely Bramcote Hills Park (NG9 3JT). Free parking. Chance to explore the walled garden, tree trail, play area or take a short stroll to the Hemlock Stone and views from a trig point. Children and teddy bears very welcome! Please contact Maxine on [Phone Number] or [Email] for meeting point and to confirm this event is going ahead in case of wet weather.
On Thu 11st Aug at 7:30pm - 2ThOTM
Join us for food and/or drink and a good natter at The Cadland, High Road, Chilwell, NG9 5EG. We have a large table reserved, usually to right of area as you enter the pub from the car park. Contact Maxine on [Phone Number] or [Email] or just turn up on the night. New faces and non-member guests welcome. ♿
On Thu 18th Aug at 7:30pm - Pamper Party
Ladies are invited to my home in Langley Mill (NG16 4AW) for an evening of fun and laughter. Anne-Marie will be showcasing her lovely range of Tropic skincare, bodycare and make up. No obligation to buy. Free mini-facials on offer. Soft/hot drinks, wine and nibbles provided or BYOB. Please RSVP for directions and so we have an idea of numbers. [Phone Number] or [Email]
On Tue 30th Aug at 7:30pm - Eating Meeting
A taste of American cuisine at Frankie & Benny's, Giltbrook Retail Park, NG16 2TP. See menu at www.frankieandbennys.com/menu and book your place with Maxine on [Phone Number] or [Email] by 26th. ♿
Ciao for now!
Maxine Bates
Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details
Viking Festival
On Saturday 25th June some Mensans went to the Viking Festival at Locko Park in Derbyshire, where a local member was taking part.
The afternoon out was enjoyed by all, seeing living history displays and battle reenactments, with a Mensan taking part in the battles.
Museum Of Timekeeping - review
Our private visit to the Museum Of Timekeeping at the British Horological Institute in Upton, Notts, arranged for March 2020 was cancelled due to obvious reasons and finally rescheduled for Wednesday 22nd June. The museum has very limited opening hours to the general public so this was a unique opportunity to visit. After a pleasant lunch in the adjacent tea rooms 18 members were shown to the ballroom of this listed building for an introductory talk on the history of the British Horological Institute, the building itself and what timepieces we would see on our visit. The backdrop was two large wooden clocks, one of which had featured in an episode of The Repair Shop TV programme shown in May 2022 and kindly donated by the family to be displayed at the museum.
We were then given another short talk in the entrance hall which contains the oldest clock in the building (when time was accurate to around 45 minutes!), a variety of grandfather clocks, and a timepiece designed to mark the 150th anniversary of the institute in 2008. Next was the speaking clock room where we were told about the history of the service, how the voice was selected, who has been that voice from 1936 to the present day, heard some speaking clock messages recorded by celebrities as part of fundraising telethons, and finally got to play with some of the machines. Great fun, especially the daleks! Then we were free to roam the building with exhibitions on two floors. One room covered the history of wrist watches from the 1890s to all the technology of 2015.
Quite some changes! We were also able to view the actual watch worn by Captain Scott on his ill-fated Polar expedition of 1912. Guests could leave when they wished but most stayed for our alloted two hours and gathered back in the ballroom for a group photo with the Repair Shop clock. It was a fascinating afternoon in pleasant company and the museum staff were very welcoming.
If anyone would like to visit on your own you can do that without pre-booking
20 Questions (No. 250)
The answers to our June competition were Susan, cello, George II, George III, 10, James I (apologies the question should have read Sir Walter Raleigh not Sir Walter Scott but you realised that!), Catherine of Aragon, 1877, George V, King Cnut, crossbow, Queen Anne, 3 days, Groom of the Stool, George I, Royal Yacht Britannia, Adelaide, King Edward II, King Henry VIII?s waist and Richard III. David of St Albans wins the £10 One4All gift card. Congratulations!
The quiz answers this month are all famous people with the initials MM. Who knew there were so many!? Send your entries to arrive by 20th August to '20 Questions (No. 250)' to [Email] remembering to include your name and address so we know where to send the prize if you win.
1. Otherwise known as Eminem and Slim Shady
2. Over 15 years this actor portrayed Mr Darcy, Sheriff Of Nottingham and Major Ingram
3. Icelandic TV presenter who finished what he started for 25 years
4. Mime artist who created the character Bip The Clown
5. Checked into the Real Marigold Hotel under the name of Professor Sprout
6. Award nominee for best supporting actress as both Carmen and Maid Marian
7. Midfielder based in Fulham in West London
8. International man of mystery who turned into an ogre
9. British comedian spinning celebrities on a Saturday night since 2020
10. The Manager of the Sex Pistols who went Double Dutch
11. Northern Ireland Secretary at the time the Good Friday Peace Agreement was signed
12. Blonde bombshell who appeared on the cover of the first issue of Playboy magazine
13. Mother of Archie and Lilibet
14. Award winning novelist whose one and only book was set during the American Civil War
15. Controversial documentary maker who was in TrumpLand
16. Prime Minister of Russia since January 2020
17. The Grandmaster of American hip hop
18. English actress whose work took her from Albert Square to Downing Street
19. Former gymnast and dancer now Denmark?s best known actor
20. Brian Warner combined a sex symbol with an infamous criminal for his stage name