Picture showing a small string instrument clamped inside a mechanism reminiscent of the inside of a piano.

What's this?

What a strange machine! What does it do? Where can you see it in action? Find out below.

 

Also in this month's Empress:

  • A piece of Portugal in Lincoln? A piece of India in Leicester?
  • A £10 Voucher in your hand by answering 20 questions?

Regional News

Congratulations to Paul Henchliffe of Nottingham who won the Connections tournament for the third consecutive year in the 2007 Mensa Games finals that took place in our region at the end of October. Also to Les Hurst of Derbyshire who was runnerup in the tough Brain Of Mensa quiz final. By the last round I didn't understand the questions let alone the answers! If you enjoy boardgames and trivia, why not join the Mensa Games competition in 2008? Contact the Mensa office if you require an entry form. It costs £5 per game tournament and you may enter as many as you like. The cash prizes are reflected by the number of competitors.

Looking ahead to 2008 we have lots to offer members within the East Midlands. Our next regional event, on Saturday 23rd February, is "A Taste Of India", the venue The Brant Inn, Groby, Leicester; more details are on page 7. The event starts at 2.00pm with Indian dancing and Indian head massage, but you are welcome to join us from 7.00pm for just the evening curry buffet and disco. There is an alternative for those who cannot eat spicy food - please request when booking.

Tickets are being subsidised from regional funds and cost only £10 per person for the whole event. Sorry, no discount for evening only attendance but it's still a bargain!

On Saturday 26th April the East Midlands region plays host to the first 'intellectual event' initiated by the Mensa office. This will be a "Space Science Day" held at Leicester University and includes a tour of their space research centre, lectures in their theatre, displays and hands-on activities as well as lunch. Please contact Diane Salter at the Mensa office or see the Mensa web site for full details.

The Milton Keynes Weekend takes places 23rd - 26th May which is the late May bank holiday weekend. Jo Sidebottom and I have put together a varied programme of events and the weekend has a transport and travel theme. Again contact the office, see the web site or speak to Jo or myself. See you at the concrete cows . . .

Maxine Bates

Regional Officer

Events and Meetings

High Wycombe & Amersham

Hi, no meetings this month as January is looking a bit manic in the social calendar. There will be rather more to mark my departure in February and I do plan to go to the 'Taste of India' meeting near Leicester on 23rd February and stay on for the evening. I hope to see some of you there.

Alistair Blackett

photo of Maxine Bates

Notts News

On Sat 5th Jan at 8.00pm - 5OTM

I'm unable to attend our first event of the year, but Mark Sloan has kindly agreed to host our regular pub social at the Vat & Fiddle on Queensbridge Road. Join him on Saturday 5th from 8.00pm for a drink and chat and maybe discuss New Year resolutions! Look for MENSA Magazine left of bar.

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

On Wednesday 9th Paul Henchliffe hosts our "Chicks & Flicks" event. Meet at 7.00pm inside the doors to the Cornerhouse. From there we'll dine at Nando's chicken restaurant - veggie options available - before watching a film at Cineworld. You are welcome to join us for either part of the evening although an idea of numbers would be appreciated to help table reservation and the Orange Wednesday 2-4-1 cinema offer. Contact Paul on [Phone Number] or [Email].

On Sat 26th Jan at 7.00pm - Australia Day

Saturday 26th is Australia Day so join Andy and me at home in Langley Mill from 7.00pm for an Australian themed party. Wear a cork hat, play a didgeridoo, bring a cuddly koala, eat Vegemite, listen to Australian music, have a bonzer time! Please contact us to help with buffet catering. BYOB

On Tue 29th Jan at 7.30pm - Postcode Pubcrawl

Our regular "Postcode Pubcrawl" event falls on Tuesday 29th and coincides with my birthday. I'll be going for a celebratory meal at The Pullman Inn, Station Road, Widmerpool in the NG12 area. Do join me! The building used to be the railway station and is now a pub/restaurant with a rail theme. It is located near both the A606 and A46. Choose 1, 2 or 3 courses from the a la carte menu, or opt for a set menu of 3 courses with coffee for £20. Please reserve your place with me by 22nd.

Ciao for now!

Maxine Bates

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

photo of Ian Sargent

Northants NNotes

On Thu 3rd Jan at 9.00pm - FThOTM

We're off to the Fox & Hounds at Harlestone on Thursday 3rd January. If we're lucky we'll get one of the tables by the fire. Catch up with what everyone did over the festive season and takes bets on how long all the New Year resolutions will last. You will also be able to find out what the LocSec's next Moment of Madness is going to be! Look for the MENSA mag on one of the tables in the bar area from 9.00pm.

On Thu 17th Jan at 8.00pm - Roadshow

Apologies to everyone for the cancellation of the November Roadshow at short notice - several other things cropped up after the date was set resulting in several of the regulars being elsewhere. Assuming that unexpected events don't also overtake this one, the January Roadshow, on the 17th from 8.00pm, goes back to Paulerspury and the popular Barley Mow pub. A MENSA mag will give away our position near the bar.

Ian Sargent

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

photo of Jacquie Harrison

Mensa Lincs

It was great to have more local members meet each other for the first time at Nando's in October when Maxine, Mark and Andy also came over from Notts. Chat covered more serious topics about how we live and transport to what strength seasoning we could cope with on our chicken.

On Sat 19th Jan at 12.30pm - Lunch and Museum

In January, it would be great to meet you for lunch or just coffee at the Drill Hall on Saturday 19th at 12.30pm - there is sometimes live music in the cafe but the programme is not out as I type. We then plan to go onto the Collection for a browse. For directions/encouragement or just to let me know to look out for you please ring me. All very welcome.

We still need another LocSec for Lincoln - not because I don't enjoy your company - but because I haven't the time to do credit to this large area and its great members. If someone else does volunteer, I will support in practical ways IF that will help you.

Jacquie Harrison

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

photo of Sue Watford

Leicester Letter

On Sat 26th Jan at 7.30pm - A meal at Ruth's

Can I persuade you to come along to Ruth's in Long Clawson (Vale of Belvoir) at 7.30pm on Saturday 26th January? This is slightly different from our usual last Saturday meal in a pub. The venue is Sherbrooke Farm, and we have a room to ourselves in the farmhouse. The meal is a good old English 3-course home-cooked meal with a limited choice of menu: roast beef, coq au vin, steak and kidney pie or vegetarian (there is usually a good choice of first and third courses). The cost - regardless of choice of meal - is around £11.00. You need to bring your own drink. As I have to let Ruth have numbers and menu choices early in the week (so she can do the shopping!), can you please let me know your choice of menu by Monday 22nd at the latest if you would like to come.

Sue Watford

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

Luton and Dunstable

On Sat 19th Jan at 7.30pm - Eating Meeting

This month an eating meeting on Saturday 19th and, after chopping and changing ideas, I have stuck with Dave's original suggestion and we're going for English for a change. We will be meeting at 7.30pm in the bar at The Brache Travel Inn, Osborne Rd, Luton, LU1 3HJ off Gypsy Lane. We will be moving into the restaurant about 8.30pm. It is a Beefeater, but has veggie options. Please ring or email to book your place by Wednesday 16th. Mobile on the night is [Phone Number].

Come along and meet the Luton Group, who all come from within about 40 minute radius of the town. All welcome, we need some new happy faces to befriend and enjoy good times with. There MUST be some more Mensa people in Luton, we hope you will visit us soon. Please look for Mblem or MENSA magazine on the table.

Les Draper Eames

photo of Jo Sidebottom

Mensans in MK & Bedford

Happy New Year to everyone! The start of 2008 sees some changes to the regular events in MK, so please amend your diaries. The first change is that we are switching our First Thursday and Third Wednesday meetings round, so that Starbucks @ Borders will now be 7.00pm on the First Thursday of every month, and the Eating Meeting will be 8.00pm on the Third Wednesday.

Also, after a couple of years of well attended Moveable Feast meetings, attendance has tailed off recently, so we have decided to return to a regular pub/restaurant venue where people can come and go as they please, and eat or not as they choose. We have chosen the newly rebuilt Old Beams in Shenley Lodge ( MK5 7AE in Streetmap/satnav, or see www.mcmullens.co.uk for location/menu).

On Wed 16th Jan at 8.00pm - 3WOTM

Having said all that, as we are away for New Year, there will be no First Thursday at Starbucks in January, so hope to see you at The Old Beams from 8.00pm on Wednesday 16th January. We don't know exactly where we'll get a table, so look out for the Mblem. 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.

Jo Sidebottom

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

photo of Richard Allen

Hertfordshire Happenings

On Thu 10th Jan at 8.15pm - 2ThOTM

On Thursday 10th January we'll have our regular first Thursday of the month meeting (except that it's actually the second Thursday for this month only to give you all time to sober up after New Year!) 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 and is also handy for local bus routes. See you around 8.15pm.

On Sat 12th Jan at 10.30am - Country walk

Beat the January blues with a bracing country walk in delightful Hertfordshire countryside. Meet at Watton-at-Stone station at 10.30am on Saturday 12th January for a five mile walk, then a pub lunch. The station is served by hourly trains from Kings Cross and Hertford North to Stevenage.

On Fri 25th Jan at 8.00pm - LFOTM

On the last Friday, 25th January, join Gwen and me at the White Horse, Hertingfordbury from 8.00pm, to unwind at the end of the month. Good food and beer available and interesting and stimulating conversation guaranteed! Look for the Mag/Mblem. Hertingfordbury is about 20 minutes' walk from Hertford North station.

Richard Allen

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

Derby Diary

I've just found out that there are 138 members with DE postcodes so Happy New Year to all of you! What with publication dates and holidays you're probably reading this a lot earlier than you usually do in December, so plenty of time to get the diary out and plan to join us at one of our meetings in January. Now, I know some people are put off by the word "meeting", I know I was when I first joined Mensa, I expected them to be very formal and was quite worried about making that first step. Then I discovered that it was just short for "meeting up" and it was a lot more fun that I'd initially thought; most of our meetings are just getting together with a few friends for a drink (quite often soft drinks!) or a meal.

On Wed 16th Jan at 7.30pm - 3WOTM

For those that can get into Derby we have our usual 3rd Wednesday meeting on the 16th January at the Standing Order; please contact Nick at [Email] or on [Phone Number] for directions/encouragement.

On Mon 21st Jan at 7.00pm - At Home

I'll be having my own 'at home' meeting on Monday 21st January in Butterley Park, Ripley, with the option of chat, food and board games but please call to let me know you're coming so I can organise parking. If you want some encouragement to attend your first meeting or just want to say hello, then please call or email me.

Merry Metcalf

Richard Allen was in St Albans:

Picture of a collection of unusual devices from the St Albans museum.

The City of St Albans has many attractions, but few are as delightful as the Organ Museum, located on the eastern outskirts of the city. Open every Sunday afternoon, the Museum consists of a magical collection of mechanical musical devices, from musical boxes to huge fairground organs. In the space of an afternoon, visitors are taken on a tour of all the machines and treated to the varied sounds they produce.

Six Mensans visited the museum on 21st October after partaking of a pub lunch at the city's only brew-pub, the Farmer's Boy.

To me, the star of the show was the mechanical violin featured in the photographs; this is a work of art in its own right in the way it is able to reproduce both the bowing and plucking effects of the traditional violin. There are so many other devices there, though, that only a visit can do them justice.

So, would we go again! Most certainly! Will you join us?

Sunday 21st October: where were you?

Picture of members at Nando's in Lincoln.

A Piece of Portugal in Lincoln

An eating meeting at Nando's Portuguese chicken restaurant, Brayford, Lincoln, on Sunday 21st October. Left to Right are Mark, Maxine, Chris, Nigel, Christine, Jacquie, Nicky and June; behind the camera was Andy.

 

20 Questions (No. 76)

How did you do in our capitals themed quiz? The answers were Argentina, Tristan da Cunha, Caracas, Prague, Kiev, Charleston, Bangkok, Damask, Salt Lake City, Christmas Island, Jefferson City, Khartoum, Paris, Rome, Chihuahua, Valletta, Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballe, Baghdad, Lisbon and Nuuk. The globetrotters were Michael Warren of Derby, Mike Hadley of Lutterworth, Alan Tonks of Mansfield, Chris Newbold of Leicestershire, David Addison of Mansfield, Geraldine Ellis of Nottingham, Doug King of Welwyn Garden City, David West of Wellingborough, Roger Lord of Aylesbury, Chris Impey of Tring, Alex Foster of Derby, Pamela Covey of Woburn, Patrick Cavanagh of Ireland, Tony Dodd of Belvoir, Sue Pearson of Winslow, Philip Abbott of Watford, Danny Garwood of Derbyshire, Marianne Croll of Derby, Joyce Ellis-Croft of Northants. Alex wins the 2008 Mensa diary and pen. Well done!

This month our quiz is about record holders and there's the choice of either a £10 Leisure Voucher (valid at a huge selection of restaurants, hotels, wine shops and tourist attractions) or a £10 National Book Token (valid at all major book shops). Please state your preference when sending your answers to '20 Questions (No. 76)', [Address] to arrive by 20th January please.

1. The tallest man ever to live measured 8'11" and died in 1940. What was his name?

2. On which date was the record broken for the most couples kissing simultaneously?

3. With temperatures of around 480 C, which is the hottest planet?

4. In which year did Edmund Hillary become the first man to conquer Everest?

5. In which country is the highest waterfall in the world?

6. The world's largest turkey farm is situated in which English county?

7. Which company is the world's largest employer?

8. To the nearest lb, how heavy was the largest wedding cake ever made in 2004?

9. Where is the world's largest airport terminal?

10. What was the world's tallest building in 1996?

11. Which American holds the record for the longest rollercoaster riding?

12. How long in ft is the world's longest railway platform?

13. Launched in January 2004, which is the world's largest passenger liner?

14. Who was the first person to send an email in 1971?

15. Which Oscar winning film is the most expensive ever made?

16. Who was the first presenter of Top Of The Pops?

17. Which is the world's longest continuous running stage show?

18. Who is the youngest professional snooker world champion?

19. Which male artist has had the most hit singles in the UK chart?

20. Who was the first woman to go into space?