Season's Greetings to all our readers

 

Regional News

The last few months have seen some new events. Elaine Yates is now hosting regular events around Watford so if you live in that area do go along and support her if you can. Pub socials and bowling have proved popular so far but other suggestions are welcome. You can contact Elaine on [Phone Number] or [Email].

Adam Reece is hoping to arrange events in Lincolnshire and is proposing a get together at a food pub (so that there is an option to eat and/or drink) in Boston from 8.00pm on Friday 15th January. The location has been selected so that it is fairly accessible for members living in Boston, Skegness, Horncastle, Woodhall Spa or Sleaford. Before the event is confirmed it would be nice to know if there is interest in meeting other members in that area. Please contact Adam on [Phone Number] or [Email] even if you can't make that particular date as he has other event ideas for the future.

The end of the year is always a good opportunity to thank our Mensa volunteers. So thank you to everyone who has taken the time and effort to host one of our social events, to Rosie Jefferson and Nick Stimpson who put together our Empress newsletter each month, and to Mark Sloan who collates the meeting ads so they appear in Mensa Magazine. And, of course, to everyone who has attended one of our events or contributed to Empress and made it all worthwhile. We are currently planning our next regional event for February 2010 so watch this space!

I wish you a joyful festive season and a happy and healthy new year.

Maxine Bates

Regional Officer

Events and Meetings

photo of Ian Sargent

Northants NNotes

On Mon 7th Dec at 9.00pm - FMOTM

It's all change for the Northampton area meeting as from this month. We no longer meet on the First Thursday and we no longer meet at Harlestone. Our new venue is The Malt Shovel, Bridge Street, Northampton and this month you will find us there on Monday 7th December from 9.00pm - then the First Monday for each month thereafter. We'll try to grab a table towards the rear of the pub, next to the door for the beer garden.

On Thu 17th Dec at 8.00pm - Roadshow

The December Roadshow is the last Northants event for 2009 and we are going back to Wellingborough for the first time in about nine months. The destination is The Locomotive in Finedon Road and we'll be there around 8.00pm on Thursday 17th December, probably somewhere near the sarcophagus.

As always, we'll advertise our presence with a copy of the Mensa magazine.

Ian Sargent

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

photo of Val Hinkins

Mid Bucks

On Thu 3rd Dec at 7.30pm - Pre-Christmas meal

On Thursday 3rd at 7.30pm, and by special request, our pre-Christmas meal will be a return visit to Anong Thai on Desborough Road in High Wycombe. This is a small friendly restaurant serving high quality Thai food at reasonable prices. See http://www.anongthai.co.uk/ for further information. Car parking is available off Desborough Avenue - free after 7.00pm.

Please contact me as above by Sunday 29th November to let me know you are coming so that I can book a table.

Val Hinkins

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

photo of Sue Watford

Leicestershire Letter

On Sat 5th Dec at 1.00pm - Lunch

In December we're moving the meeting to the beginning of the month, as diaries tend to fill up towards Christmas - and it will be lunch instead of an evening meal. We're meeting in the Caffe Italia, Church Street, in the centre of Melton Mowbray, at 1.00pm on Saturday 5th December. Hopefully some members may find it easier to come at lunchtime, and it would be great to have a really good turnout of those who regularly attend meetings, those who have been occasionally, and those we have not yet met. The cafe is very welcoming and the food decent and affordable. As it may get booked up at this time of year, could you let me know by Monday 30th November at the latest if you intend coming.

Sue Watford

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

Derby Diary

On Wed 16th Dec at 7.30pm - 3WOTM

This month on Wednesday 16th we're having a Christmas meal for our 3WOTM meeting at the Standing Order on Irongate. Main course with drink £5.99, starter and dessert £2.00 each. To check availability and book, contact Maxine on [Phone Number] or myself as above. We will meet at 7.30pm for food, or join us later for just a drink. Look out for the yellow Mblem on a long table in the area just beyond the bar. Contact me as above for more details/directions.

As always it would be great to hear from you if you have any suggestions for future meetings or events, or if you would like to advertise one of your own.

Matthew Smith

photo of Richard Allen

Hertfordshire Happenings

On Thu 3rd Dec at 8.15pm - FThOTM

Our regular first Thursday of the month meeting will be on Thursday 3rd from 8.15pm. As always, 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.

In addition, I will be going to two concerts at the Barbican in London on Wednesday 30th (Beethoven) and Thursday 31st December (Viennese style). See the London announcements in the Mag for further details or give me a call. Hope to see you then.

Richard Allen

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

photo of Jo Sidebottom

Mensans in MK & Bedford

On Thu 3rd Dec at 8.00pm - FThOTM

First Thursday is at our regular venue of Jurys Inn on Midsummer Boulevard on 3rd December from 8.00pm. Look out for the Mblem on one of the tables to the right in the foyer. Parking is a bit busy around Jurys and The Hub, so we usually try and get in across the road and then walk through the underpass.

On Sun 6th Dec at 6.00pm - Christmas dinner

Just for a change we thought we'd have a MK & Bedford Mensa Christmas dinner on Sunday 6th. But rather than a traditional menu we decided to opt for a return visit to the Sizzling Wok in Bedford, scene of previous successful outings. This is a Mongolian barbecue where you select your own choice of raw ingredients and flavourings, and the chefs stir fry them for you. Please let me know by Wednesday 2nd if you plan to come along.

On Wed 16th Dec at 8.00pm - 3WOTM

Our Third Wednesday meeting at the Old Beams in Shenley Lodge is on the 16th. If you're definitely planning to come, please let me know as it will help us to grab the right sized table, but don't let that put you off deciding on the spur of the moment - you'll still be welcome. See www.mcmullens.co.uk for location and menu details. You can eat or not, as you wish - their food is quite good and reasonably priced. Look around for the Mblem as we don't get the same table each time.

Hope to see you there,

Jo Sidebottom

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

photo of Jenny Habib

Berkhamsted

On Fri 18th Dec at 8.00pm - At Home

Our Mensa Meeting for Christmas will be at my house on Friday 18th December at 8.00pm.

Please ring me (as above) for details.

Best wishes to you all and hope to see you.

Jenny Habib

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

photo of Maxine Bates

Notts News

On Sat 5th Dec at 8.00pm - 5OTM

As I will be attending my Lakes Party Weekend, Kevin Bamford has kindly volunteered to host our regular '5th of the month' event. Please join him from 8.00pm on Saturday 5th at the Vat & Fiddle pub on Queensbridge Road for an evening of chatting and drinking (either alcoholic or non-alcoholic). Look for Mensa Magazine which can usually be found to the left of the bar. New faces of all ages are very welcome.

On Wed 9th Dec at 7.00pm - Chicks & Flicks

If you're fed up of turkey dinners already then come along to Nando's on Wednesday 9th and eat chicken instead! We meet at 7.00pm inside the doors to the Cornerhouse in Nottingham city centre before heading round the corner to the restaurant on Forman Street. Afterwards there's the option of a film at Cineworld. Contact Paul on [Phone Number] or [Email] to find out how to get free drinks at the restaurant and 2-4-1 tickets at the cinema.

On Fri 18th Dec at 8.00pm - Santa Soiree

Our final event of the year is a soiree (it sounds posher than a party!) at my home in Langley Mill from 8.00pm on Friday 18th. A light buffet and mulled wine will be provided but please bring whatever else you would like to drink. Please let me know if you can join us to help catering or contact me for directions."

There is no last Tuesday eating meeting this month due to Christmas. As always, restaurant recommendations are welcome anywhere within Nottinghamshire for the coming year. Please contact me on 01173-715-330 or [Email]

Ciao for now!

Maxine Bates

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

photo of Jacquie Harrison

Lively Lincs

Christine continues to host our Lincoln regular meeting where gentle debate is encouraged. If anyone has ideas for other occasional venues please contact me as above.

On Sat 12th Dec at 12.00pm - 2SaOTM

2SotM, I'm avoiding Christmas Market weekend, and moving to the second Saturday for this month. So, the 'regular' meeting will be Saturday 12th in the coffee bar at The Collection, Danes Terrace. Everyone is welcome, do join us for a chat - snack, lunches, drinks and nice cakes are available for those who wish to partake. I'll aim for a table at the far end of the room, look for Magazine/Mblem on the table. For directions/encouragement either email [Email] or give me a ring on [Phone Number].

Jacquie Harrison

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

Curv-a-Tour

A small group of Leicester Mensans met for a Curve tour on Saturday 27th September and, with other members of the public, spent nearly two hours learning about the theatre.

This turned out to be a most enjoyable visit and we were allowed to see areas normally closed to the general public.

Curve has two 'normal' theatres built back to back. Between the two theatres (one of 750 seats the other somewhat smaller) is the 'backstage' area with two side walls that can be raised so there is easy access to move scenery around and allows visitors to see more of what goes on behind the scenes.

The tour took us up high above the stage where you can see a host of wires and bars for hanging lights and scenery on.

We also went under the stage to see an almost 'meccano-like' construction which enables many changes to be made to the stage with a minimum of effort. There is an orchestra pit, but it doesn't exist until the first three rows of seats in the larger theatre are lowered and hidden away in the basement.

Many of the seats in the theatre help with the airflow around the building by having a vent in the chair support. These vents connect down to the plenum - a large room which is solely present to help the air flow.

After viewing the theatre from all angles, two of the Mensa party bought stand-by tickets for the afternoon matinee performance and saw the stage from a more usual perspective.

If you have a couple of hours to spare on a Saturday morning, Curve is definitely worth a visit. Check out http://www.curveonline.co.uk for more details.

Barry Gilchrist

Calling all junior Mensans!

Facebook

The officers of Mensa are aware that many of our social events are not suitable for Junior Mensans. A Facebook group has been set up so that members aged under 18 in the East Midlands can correspond with each other. Log onto www.facebook.com and search for the group called "Junior Mensans in the East Midlands". Apart from one moderator, no adults will be allowed. You can chat about your home town, school, hobbies, anything! If there is enough interest in meeting up some events can possibly be arranged for you in the future. Do join!

Alistair and Jackie

Member Moments

Congratulations to former Mid Bucks LocSec, Alistair, and his bride-to-be, Jackie, on their recent engagement.

Update on survey

If you haven't yet completed the regional survey on pages 7 and 8 of November Empress, there is still time to do so. And now it may also be completed on-line at http://www.nfstimpson.co.uk/empress/Survey2009.ashx. Please respond. Your opinion matters.

Empress given award for service

Rosie Jefferson with Johnny Ball

At the Awards Ceremony at the recent AG in Bristol, Rosie Jefferson collected the trophy on behalf of herself and co-editor Nick Stimpson. Presenting the awards was Johnny Ball, the weekend's key speaker, who also spoke to delegates on Saturday afternoon, and after the Gala Dinner. He entertained with physical demonstrations of key mathematical theories, songs and fascinating stories from his life in showbiz."

20 Questions (No. 99)

There weren't many theme park fans so just three entries for our October competition from Chris Impey of Tring, Geraldine Ellis of Nottingham and Pamela Covey of Woburn with Pamela once again being first out of the hat and winning the £10 book token.

The answers were 20, Rita, Ohio, Bakken, Richard Rodriguez, 1983, Buzz Aldrin, Islands Of Adventure, Bolliger & Mabillard, Australia's Dreamworld, Oakwood, Stratosphere, 16, Paris, red, 28 years, Liseberg, Kingda Ka, Lightwater Valley and Iceblast.

Your new 2010 diary may help with this month's quiz. All the answers are London Tube stations. Send your entries to arrive by 15th December (please note earlier closing date due to Christmas deadlines) to '20 Questions (No. 99)', [Address]

1. A song by Duffy

2. Home to the BBC Television Centre

3. Coloured religious men

4. Finish at 5,280 feet

5. A Peruvian bear

6. Land where a soft, white, porous sedimentary rock is produced

7. Shaped like a rugby ball

8. Agila or Antara

9. Game played on 'Sorry I Haven't A Clue'

10. A muddled written mess for politicians

11. Tall hair style

12. Spin-off TV series of 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer'

13. A quadrilateral in an East Midlands city

14. Mixed up hand reels

15. Lloyds or Barclays

16. A lofty entrance

17. 1974 Eurovision winner

18. The Gunners

19. Chalk cliffs on the south coast of England

20. An ancient thoroughfare