Regional News

Happy New Year! We have lots of new events to tempt you out in 2010. In the north of our region young member Adam Reece is hoping to set up a regular Mensa group and is starting with a get-together at The Moon Under Water in Boston on Friday 15th January. Join him at 7.00pm for a meal or later for just a drink. In the south of our region David Seddon has become Watford Local Secretary and, along with the help and support of Elaine Yates, will be hosting a regular pub social as well as other events. David introduces himself on page 6.

Our next regional event takes place in the centre of our region on Saturday 13th February at a hotel in Coalville, Leicestershire, which is easily accessible from the M1. The evening will include a three course meal followed by basic dance tuition in waltz, cha cha cha, rock and roll, salsa and line dancing then a disco. Tickets cost £20 each and discounted accommodation is available. Please see details elsewhere in this issue of Empress or log on to www.mensa.org.uk/eastmids. Note that bookings close 30th January.

Prior to this event the officers of East Midlands Mensa will be holding their annual committee meeting. If you have any issues you would like to raise please contact either myself or your Local Secretary before 13th February.

In the November issue of Empress we printed a feedback questionnaire. The number of responses has been astounding so thank you to everyone who took the time to give their comments. At the time of writing they are still being received. I will personally be contacting members who asked a question or raised an issue and will advise the winner of the prize draw next month.

I'm on [Phone Number] or [Email] and would be happy to hear from you.

Maxine Bates

Regional Officer

Events and Meetings

photo of Maxine Bates

Notts News

On Tue 5th Jan at 8.00pm - 5OTM

If you've just returned to work after the festive break and need a good night out to cheer yourself up then pop along to the Vat & Fiddle pub from 8.00pm on Tuesday 5th for some good conversation and a drink. The venue is on Queensbridge Road near Nottingham railway station. Look for a yellow Mblem usually to the left of the bar. New faces are always welcome.

On Wed 13th Jan at 7.00pm - Chicks & Flicks

On Wednesday 13th we have our regular night out at Nando's chicken restaurant - with a growing number of veggie options - followed by a film at Cineworld. Meet us at 7.00pm prompt inside the doors to the Cornerhouse. There are discounts at both venues for Cornerhouse card holders or Orange phone owners. For further information contact Paul on [Phone Number] or [Email]

This month's eating meeting heads over the border to Loughborough so please see the Leicestershire Letter section for details of this Australian meal on Tuesday 26th.

We have not one but two regular events taking place every Thursday. A group of us go dancing at Memorial Hall in Chilwell at 8.30pm where a one hour lesson in ballroom and Latin American dancing costs £4.50. Males and females of all ages and abilities are very welcome. Contact me for further information. Afterwards we head around the corner to the Beekeeper pub for another hour of socialising. You are welcome to join us for either part of the evening.

Ciao for now!

Maxine Bates

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

photo of Ian Sargent

Northants NNotes

On Mon 4th Jan at 9.00pm - FMOTM

We'll only just have just got New Year out of the way when it will be time for the first Northants events of the year. Our monthly First Monday meeting is on 4th January and you will find us at The Malt Shovel, Bridge Street, Northampton at 9.00pm. All being well we will be towards the back of the pub, close to the exit to the Beer Garden. If we're not there, scout around for the Mensa mag lying on one of the tables.

On Thu 21st Jan at 8.00pm - Roadshow

For the next meeting the Roadshow goes off to the Barley Mow at Paulerspury on Thursday 21st January from 8.00pm. The village lies just to the west of the A5, halfway between Towcester and the Buckinghamshire border. The pub can be found on the High Street, almost at the far end of the village. We'll be at one of the tables close to the bar and, again, the Mensa mag will give away our location. So far we've not met the pub's ghost - will it make an appearance this time?

Ian Sargent

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

photo of Val Hinkins

Mid Bucks

On Sat 16th Jan at 5.00pm - Meal and Theatre

It's Mark's birthday, so join us on Saturday 16th to celebrate! Meet at 5.00pm to eat at Zizzi's in Eden and then go to the Swan theatre to see "The Holly and the Ivy" by Wynyard Browne at 7.30pm. Sit with us in the Upper Circle to watch this festive play, starring Philip Madoc and Tom Butcher.

Set in a Norfolk vicarage on Christmas Eve 1947 the play shows how the arrival of two irritable aunts and an errant daughter disrupt the household and even the lovable vicar himself is not immune to the stresses and strains of family life.

You are welcome to come to one or both parts of this event. Please buy your own tickets for the Swan, see www.wycombeswan.co.uk. Contact me by Sunday 10th January to let me know you are coming to the meal so that I can book us a table.

Val Hinkins

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

photo of Jenny Habib

Berkhamsted

On Wed 27th Jan at 7.45pm - LWOTM

On Wednesday 27th we will meet at the upper room in the "Eat Fish" restaurant on Berkhamsted High Street at 7.45pm-ish. All members young as well as adult very welcome, you do not have to eat, just have a glass of fruit juice or any other drink and enjoy the chat.

Jenny Habib

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

photo of Sue Watford

Leicestershire Letter

On Tue 26th Jan at 7.30pm - Eating Meeting

Tuesday 26th is Australia Day so we're going for a meal at Moomba Australian restaurant in The Rushes in Loughborough. Their party menu costs £10.95 for two courses and can be found at www.moomba-restaurant.com. Both kangaroo and vegetarian options are available! A table has been reserved for 7.30pm. Please book with Maxine on [Phone Number] or [Email] by 22nd so that numbers can be adjusted as necessary. The event proved very popular last time attracting members from Notts, Derbys, Leics and Northants.

We're joining Maxine this month at the Moomba as our usual January meeting will be no more! Ruth, unfortunately, is finishing serving meals at her farmhouse in Long Clawson at Christmas. She has been threatening to do so for a few years now; over the past 12 years or so, we have had some good times and enjoyed some great food there - it will be difficult to find anything to match it. So I hope to see you at the Moomba instead.

Sue Watford

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

Derby Diary

On Wed 20th Jan at 7.30pm - 3WOTM

There's not a lot happening this month, just our regular 3WOTM meeting at the Standing Order in Derby which falls on Wednesday 20th. Join us for a meal or just a drink and some great conversation from 7.30pm. Look out for the yellow Mblem on a long table in the area just beyond the bar. Please feel free to contact me, for more details/directions or even if you just want some encouragement.

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 7th Jan at 8.15pm - FThOTM

Regular FThOTM meeting on Thursday 7th - a week after New Year, we'll be around from 8.15pm for our usual mix of lively conversation and a good atmosphere. 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.

On Fri 29th Jan at 8.00pm - LFOTM

Join us at the Cowper Arms, Welwyn Village for our new look LFOTM on Friday 29th from 8.00pm. Good food and good beer available to suit all tastes! This is the first meeting at our new venue, which is next to Welwyn North railway station (Kings Cross - Cambridge and Peterborough line with trains every 30 minutes). Do come along and try it out for yourself!

Richard Allen

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

photo of Jo Sidebottom

Mensans in MK & Bedford

On Thu 7th Jan at 8.00pm - FThOTM

Happy New Year all! First Thursday is at our regular venue of Jurys Inn on Midsummer Boulevard on 7th 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 17th Jan at 12.00 noon - Sunday lunch

There's another Sunday lunch and cinema outing this month, on Sunday 17th. Meet at 12.00 noon for lunch outside La Tasca in Xscape, and then we will attempt to reach agreement about which film to go on and see at Cineworld afterwards. Call me on my mobile after about 1.15pm if you just want to come along to the film.

On Wed 20th Jan at 8.00pm - 3WOTM

Our Third Wednesday meeting at the Old Beams in Shenley Lodge is on 20th. 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 always get the same table each time.

Hope to see you there,

Jo Sidebottom

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

photo of Jacquie Harrison

Lively Lincs

It is great to open the New Year with meetings run by local members.

On Sat 9th Jan at - 2SaOTM

Christine's first Saturday is again on the SECOND SATURDAY - 9th January - due to popular opinion that people will be busy/venue possibly closed the previous weekend. Do join us at noon in the coffee bar at The Collection, Danes Terrace. There usually ensues far-ranging but comprehensible discussion, some have lunch/snack, or just partake of drinks. Christine will try for a table at the far end of the room, spot the magazine and/or black Mblem. For more details/encouragement please contact me on [Phone Number], or [Email] . All are welcome.

On Fri 15th Jan at 7.00pm - Pub Social

This month we have a new event for anyone living in the south east of Lincolnshire. Do join Adam at The Moon Under Water, High Street, Boston at 7.00pm for a meal or later for just a drink on Friday 15th. This is a Wetherspoon venue offering good value food and drink and the Mensans will offer good conversation! Please contact Adam at [Email] or on [Phone Number] if you can make it so a large enough table can be bagged on the night.

On Sun 24th Jan at 2.30pm - Tea and views

Finally please join us for tea, open views, and probably cakes, definitely conversation at the Gibraltar Point Visitor Centre cafe on Sunday 24th at 2.30pm. The car park is pay and display. Look for magazine. If weather is particularly poor, please ring me on [Phone Number] to ensure we can get there.

Thank you to Christine and Adam for giving everyone more opportunities to meet-up in our large county.

Jacquie Harrison

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

Meet David ...

Picture of David.

David Seddon is the new Watford Local Secretary and introduces himself.

When did you join Mensa and why?
I joined Mensa about five years ago because I'm inquisitive by nature and wondered what sort of people I would meet and where that would lead.
Have you attended any Mensa social events?

I have only attended a few local events because of family commitments, but felt that I now have more time to devote to social events.

When Elaine Yates contacted me to say that she was thinking of starting up a new group in the Watford area this seemed a good time to plan something on a more regular basis. The first meeting had five people attend which was encouraging and the next month we enjoyed ten pin bowling. Elaine then asked if I would be interested in being LocSec! We plan to work as a team and hold monthly meetings - but not limit them to just the pub. There are lots of different events being planned which we hope to spread throughout the year: some at home, some at the pub and some outdoors. I'm really keen to see what develops and we hope to encourage and grow a friendly and diverse Watford membership.

Do you belong to any Special Interest Groups?
I belong to Codes & Ciphers Sig, Photography Sig, MFreemasonry (an online Sig for Mensan Freemasons) and M-Amrad (online Amateur Radio Sig).
Have you any hobbies and interests?
My hobbies are League Badminton, Amateur Radio, Freemasonry, Motor Biking and IT. I love scrabble, crosswords, puzzles, quizzes, reading, films, comedy - and Mensa! I'm married to Paula and we have a seven year old daughter who is showing the classic signs of a high IQ.
What's your occupation?
I'm an artist and also have my own art licensing business, representing around 50 artists and a few photographers. I'm also a professional photographer/videographer. I was an engineer for many years too!

Relay For Life

10.00 am Saturday 14th to 10.00 am Sunday 15th August, Swanwick, Derbyshire

We are seeking people to join our team for this 24 hour walking event in aid of Cancer Research UK.

See www.cancerresearchuk.org/relay

Please contact Maxine on [Phone Number] or [Email] if you wish to join in this fun and worthwhile event.

Member Moments

Best wishes to Lynn Faulkner and her partner Andrew from Nottingham on the birth of their second son on 20th November 2009.

Picture of Janak and Leah.

Congratulations to Northants member Janak Gunatilleke on his marriage to girlfriend Leah Robinson on Saturday 31st October 2009

IMAG 2010

Logo of IMAG.

Irish Mensa Annual Gathering, Dublin Ireland. April 30th - May 2nd. www.mensa.ie/imag

This year's IMAG will be in the 4 star Berkeley Hotel in Dublin with an exciting and eclectic range of events:

For the bibliophile - a talk and tour of the Royal Dublin Society Library and the Long Room Library of Trinity College. Also take in the Book of Kells.

In the mood for some physical as well as mental stimulation? Try shooting, archery, team zorbing and tango lessons.

If history is your thing - enjoy Pat Liddy's tour and later dip into 1000 years of Dublin's history, from the Vikings to the Victorians. Or visit the beautiful and historic Glendalough.

Don't worry - we haven't forgotten the traditional pub crawl, the treasure hunts, and the team challenge to exercise the little grey cells.

And there's the Icebreaker, the games, the Costume Ball, late night poker, the good food, the great company . . .

Look, why not head over to www.mensa.ie/imag to find out the details and download a booking form?

IMAG - it's the place to be this May.

20 Questions (No. 100)

The answers from the November issue were Alien, Platoon, Trading Places, Wayne's World, Groundhog Day, Monsters Inc., The Hunt For Red October, Robocop, True Romance, The Thing, Superman: The Movie, Monty Python And The Holy Grail, Psycho, High Noon, Deliverance, Burn After Reading, The Blues Brothers, Ghostbusters, Mars Attacks! and Chicken Run. Entries were received from Mike Hadley of Lutterworth, Maurice Kellner of Corby, Michael Warren of Derby, Tony Dodd of Belvoir, Chris Impey of Tring, Alex Foster of Derby, Rita Beeson of Kempston, Pamela Covey of Woburn, June Fitz Gibbon of Lincolnshire and Dave Simpson of Royston. A £10 book token is on the way to Mike in Lutterworth.

This month's quiz is about England and was compiled by Anonymous (please let us know so you can be given credit). Send your answers to '20 Questions (No. 100)', [Address], to arrive by 20th January for your chance to win a £10 book token.

1. Which English county has the longest coastline?

2. Who is responsible for the blue plaques in London?

3. What was Marble Arch originally designed to be?

4. Where is England's largest castle?

5. Which two English cathedrals have three spires each?

6. Which county used to be divided into Parts?

7. Which English county bordering the sea has the shortest coastline?

8. What is the eastern strait between the Isle of Wight and the English mainland called?

9. What is the main type of rock forming the North Downs?

10. Dunkery Beacon is the highest point where?

11. On which lake does Keswick stand?

12. Under which London landmark are buried a razor, cigars and a portrait of Queen Victoria?

13. Where is there a Nelson's column other than in London?

14. Which stately home in Britain is the home of the Marquess of Bath?

15. In which city is the Whip-ma-Whop-ma Gate?

16. In which county is there a village called Middle Wallop?

17. Which Derbyshire village lost most of its population to plague in 1665 but prevented the spread of the disease?

18. Where would you find the Bell Harry tower?

19. What are the chalk cliff headlands between Eastbourne and Seaford?

20. Where are trees laid out in the form of troops at a famous battle?

HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE. I hope 2010 is a wonderful year for you.