Photo over a river to a large white painted building and a lock. Taken from a footbridge over a weir.

Where oh weir is this?

 

Regional News

Happy New Year! If you are one of the silent majority of members, why not make 2012 the year you get more involved? As well as a variety of local social events there will be a host of activities throughout the year. Whilst events involving eating and drinking are popular we do realise not everyone enjoys pubs and restaurants so hopefully we'll see a few new faces.

You are cordially invited to our next regional event that will be a barn dance in Diseworth, Derbyshire, from 7.00pm to 11.00pm on Saturday 25th February. This will include some eating (a hot supper), drinking (bring your own) and dancing (with caller so no previous experience required). Tickets are being subsidised from regional funds so only cost £5 per person. There are plenty of accommodation options nearby for anyone wishing to stay overnight as Diseworth is the village adjacent to East Midlands airport. Please contact me to purchase tickets. Friends and family of all ages are most welcome.

A 'Shadow Board' has been appointed with 16 members aged 13-18 including two, Hannah and Natalie, from the East Midlands region. Hopefully with their help we'll see more events aimed at younger members over the coming months. The girls introduce themselves in this issue of Empress and would be delighted to hear from other Junior Mensans.

If you're not able to attend our social events due to family or work commitments, financial restraints or logistical problems, please don't forget there are currently 103 special interest groups that you are able to join and participate in from the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you. Your membership entitles you to join two SIGs free of charge, although they are all now available as PDFs that can be sent to you electronically and if you don't wish to receive a paper copy of the newsletter you may join as many groups as you like at no extra cost. Contact the Mensa office for a full listing. The subjects are so varied there's bound to be something that appeals to you.

I'm on [Phone Number] or [Email]

Maxine Bates

Regional Officer

Events and Meetings

photo of David Seddon

WATever . . .

On Mon 9th Jan at 8.00pm - Quiz and puzzle evening

Monday 9th at 8.00 pm: Quiz and puzzle evening hosted by Julia Haldane. These are usually informal and lots of fun! All warmly invited but please do let me know if you plan to attend as numbers may be limited. I will pass on Julia's address to all who are attending. Usual nibbles/tea/coffee

On Mon 23rd Jan at 8.00pm - Pub meeting

Monday 23rd at 8.00pm: Pub meeting. Essex Arms, Langley Way, Watford, WD17 3EG. Please look for the Magazine on the table. New members always warmly welcomed.

David Seddon

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

More or Leicester

On Sat 14th Jan at 11:00am - Coffee and Cake

"Wow, Aunty Gladys, - what a lovely pair of socks! I'll add it to the other 15 pairs I received for Christmas.". If you're going to be in Leicester city centre on Saturday 14th busy returning presents to the shops, why not take a break and meet up for cake and coffee at The Swiss Cottage restaurant at the bottom of Churchgate in Leicester at 11:00am. This is sufficiently on the outskirts of the town that it shouldn't be too busy (and it's handy for parking), but give me a call on the day in case we have to change venue.

On Thu 19th Jan at 8.00pm - 3ThOTM

Third Thursday of the month, and it's back to The Craddock Inn on Knighton Lane in Leicester. They finally have a new chef, so you have the option of eating there as well. Details of the place are at http://tinyurl.com/leicsMensaTTOTM.

Please feel free to call or drop me a line for more info. In the meantime . . .

Happy New Year!

Paul Coulson

photo of Jo Sidebottom

Mensans in MK & Bedford

I hope everyone had an enjoyable Christmas and New Year and is revived, refreshed, and ready to face 2012! If you've not attended a Mensa event in the Milton Keynes and Bedford area before, why not make it a New Year resolution? We are a friendly group and always delighted to see new faces.

On Thu 5th Jan at 8.00pm - FThOTM

Please join us on the 5th for informal chat at our First Thursday venue of Jurys Inn Hotel on Midsummer Boulevard (west). Look out for the Mblem or mag on one of the tables to the right in the foyer.

On Thu 19th Jan at 4.00pm - ThThoTM - Tea and Buns

Mike Hargreave Mawson continues to host meetings at his home in Bedford this month, with "My Favourite Things" on Sunday 8th and Tea and Buns on Thursday 19th. This month's theme is music, so bring along samples or memories to share with others.

Mike's address is Oaklands, 60 Kimbolton Road, Bedford, MK40 2NX. He strongly advises contacting him in advance for directions and parking hints if it's your first visit - email [Email] or phone [Phone Number].

On Wed 25th Jan at 8.00pm - Greek meal

We also have another meeting in Bedford this month as we're keen to try the Sahara Greek restaurant in St Mary's Street. We're planning to visit at 8.00pm on Wednesday 25th but please let me know by Monday 23rd if possible so I can book a table. See www.thesaharabedford.co.uk for location, menu, prices, etc.

On Sun 29th Jan at 10.15am - Sunday breakfast

Sunday breakfast will be at 10.15am on Sunday 29th January, but please contact me to confirm the venue. Our first return visit to Brown's didn't live up to expectations so we are keeping our options open! Feel free to come for a full breakfast, a snack, or just a drink, but if possible please let me know by Saturday 28th so we have an idea what size table to grab when we arrive.

We hope to see as many of you as possible at one or other of our events in January.

Jo Sidebottom

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

photo of Maxine Bates

Notts News

On Thu 5th Jan at 8.00pm - 5OTM

Our first event of the year will be a get together at the Vat & Fiddle pub on Queensbridge Road from 8.00pm on Thursday 5th. Find us in the Golding's Room to the left of the bar. Just look for the Mensa Magazine on the table, usually the first one as you enter the room. Stay all evening or pop in for a quick drink. There will be serious and silly discussions. New faces always welcome!

On Wed 11th Jan at 7.00pm - Chicks and Flicks

We're moving the venues for our "chicks and flicks" event as Nottingham City Council have introduced parking charges until 8.00pm rather than 6.00pm. From now on we'll be dining at Nando's on Redfield Way in Lenton (off A52 Clifton Boulevard near Queen's Medical Centre) before watching a film at Showcase cinema. We'll lose our 20% Cornerhouse card discount (though anyone with proof they work for the NHS or emergency services can get it) but there's lots of free parking and Orange Wednesdays 2-4-1 offer is still valid at Showcase. Meet inside the foyer of the restaurant at 7.00pm on Wednesday 11th. Contact me for directions, encouragement to come along or film options.

On Fri 20th Jan at 7.00pm - Greyhound racing

We'll be making a return visit to Nottingham Greyhound Stadium in Colwick on Friday 20th. Once again I've been given 100 free tickets and will be selling them for £5 each including admission and race card (normal price is £6) with all money going to Cancer Research UK. We'll be allocated a dog to cheer on the night with races being scored on a league table. If our dog wins there will be a final race in October. Gates are open 6.00pm to 10.30pm and although I've advertised a 7.00pm time to meet you're welcome to arrive/leave at any time. Under-18s are admitted free with a paying adult. Contact me to buy tickets in advance as the rules of the charity tournament don't allow me to hand them out on the night. It's a fun and sometimes profitable evening. Why not give it a whirl and bring family, friends or work colleagues?

On Tue 31st Jan at 7.30pm - Eating meeting

At 7.30pm on Tuesday 31st our "eating meeting" will take place at Spices at Wollaton Vale. This circular shaped Indian restaurant is near the crossroads of Nottingham Road and Coventry Lane and was previously the Gondola pub. The restaurant is highly recommended and you can view the menu at www.spiceswollaton.co.uk. Please book your place with me by 27th latest.

Ciao for now!

Maxine Bates

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

photo of Richard Allen

Hertfordshire Happenings

On Thu 5th Jan at 8.15pm - FThOTM

Regular FThOTM will be on Thursday 5th from 8.15pm. Come and join us! We'll be around 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 27th Jan at 8.00pm - LFOTM

LFotM on 27th from 8.00pm. Join us at the Cowper Arms, Digswell (near Welwyn village). Good food and good beer available to suit all tastes! The venue is next to Welwyn North railway station (Kings Cross - Cambridge and Peterborough line with trains every 30 minutes). Contact me for further details and encouragement.

Richard Allen

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

photo of Val Hinkins

Mid Bucks

On Mon 16th Jan at 7:30pm - Birthday meal

Local member Mark is celebrating a significant birthday on 16th. He would like all his Mensan friends to join him for a birthday meal (PAYG) at Eat Thai in Easton Street. We will meet at the restaurant at 7:30pm, but please let me know you are coming as this is Wycombe's only Michelin rated restaurant and we will need to book, even on a Monday evening. See http://www.eatthai.net/highwycombe.html for detailed menus and directions.

Please ring or e-mail me by Sunday 8th to let me know you are coming.

Val Hinkins

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

photo of Christine Howells

Lively Lincs

On Wed 4th Jan at 7.00pm - Chinese meal

On Wednesday 4th at 7.00pm, we're going to try the Newport Arch in Lincoln, at the end of the Bailgate, for a Chinese meal. All very welcome, but please let me know if you would like to come so that I can book a table, thanks.

On Sat 14th Jan at 12.00pm - 2SaOTM

Further to popular demand we are going to have more discussion opportunities. Firstly, at our 2SaOTM on 14th from 12.00-2.00, we'll be at the Adam and Eve pub on Lindum Hill. Starting with some chatting, at 12.30pm we will start a discussion on 'Is sport good for society?', then finish with more general chat.

On Sun 29th Jan at 3.00pm - 4SuOTM

For those who live towards the coast, but everyone else welcome too, we're starting a monthly discussion group at my house, 4SuOTM, tea and cakes provided. It will be general discussion on ideas of the main philosophers but no previous knowledge required, everyone can join in. This month: Aristotle reckoned everyone should aim to live a good life, what do we think and what's a good life?

Christine Howells

Contact [Email] for details

photo of Jenny Habib

Berkhamsted

On Wed 25th Jan at 7.45pm - LWOTM

Happy New Year, everyone. The first meeting of our new Olympic Year will be, as usual, at the Old Mill on High Street (at the end nearest to Hemel Hempstead) on Wednesday 25th from 7.45-ish. The car park over the bridge runs back to the canal bank. We meet at the end of the pub, beyond the bar, where it is usually quieter. Turn right as you come into the pub,

Jenny Habib

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

Editor's Bit at the Bottom

Not quite so squashed this month; that's a relief. I hope that's a good omen for 2012. Have a great year, readers. Wishing you good health and something every day to be happy about.

Rosie Jefferson

Mensa Shadow Board

Hello! Our names are Natalie and Hannah and we were recently appointed positions on the Mensa Shadow Board which will represent all young people in Mensa aged 18 and younger. Together as a board we aim to increase the number of activities for young people within Mensa, focus on ways to retain current members, raise awareness of Mensa in schools to increase membership, and to help young people to reach their full potential in the careers and hobbies that they wish to pursue. As we both live in the East Midlands area we are able more easily to help and contact you than young Mensans who live in other areas of the UK. Therefore we would like to introduce ourselves as your first point of contact if you want certain issues relating to young people to be addressed in Mensa and if you have any ideas that you wish the Shadow Board to discuss. We very much look forward to representing you and would encourage you to take advantage of the fact that two people on the Shadow Board live in your area!

Name: Natalie

Age: 15

Favourite Subjects: Maths, History, Latin, French, Literature, Law and Politics

Career Ambitions: To become a barrister

Hobbies: Playing the piano and violin, playing badminton, reading and art (painting, drawing, and etching) among many others! I am also the SIG Secretary for Junior and Teen SIG.

Name: Hannah

Age: 16

Favourite subjects: English, Maths, French, History and Physics.

Career Ambitions: Unsure, though I am interested in law or entering the civil service.

Hobbies and interests: For the Junior and Teen SIG, I'm writing about philosophy, architecture, theoretical physics, and theology and religions. My other interests include: playing the piano, attending a debating group and a book club, different cultures and languages, literature, politics, charities involved with educating girls and women's rights, and I'm Deputy SIG Secretary for the Philosophical Discussion SIG.

Barn Dance

Tickets are now available for the next East Midlands Regional Event

Saturday 25th February 2012, 7.00-11.00pm,

at Diseworth Village Hall, Derbys, DE74 2QJ

Only £5 including band with caller and hot supper

To book: contact Maxine on [Phone Number] or [Email] by 18th Feb

Hambleden to Henley

Photo over the River Thames to a large white painted building and a lock. Taken from a footbridge over Hambleden weir.
Hambleden Weir
Ian, Mark, Val and Peter

In October last year, Ian led us on a gentle, flat walk from Hambleden to Henley, much of it alongside the River Thames. We set off from Hambleden Mill End car park in beautiful October sunshine, walked past Hambleden Mill and used the footpath across the weir to reach the South side of the river. From there we strolled past Temple Island, stopping to admire the autumn leaf colours along the way and dodging a few rowing coaches riding their bicycles along the towpath while shouting instructions and encouragement to the crews on the river. In Henley Mark recommended an excellent Spanish restaurant where we enjoyed a leisurely lunch with lively conversation.

Relaxed and refreshed, we chose to walk back again instead of taking the bus. There were fewer cyclists to dodge in the afternoon and a short rest while four boats negotiated their passage through the lock at Hambleden.

Ian has recommended another easy walk along the canal at Marsworth. I will arrange a date sometime next Summer.

BollywoodSIG

This SIG is for anyone who has an interest in the glitz and glamour of Bollywood. The Hindi film industry, based in Mumbai, is acclaimed as one of the largest film industries in the world. The movies, watched by an audience of 3.6 billion, are a major source of entertainment, comprising of all ingredients including "masala" (spice), music, dance, love, comedy, drama, etc. The Bollywood SIG will provide up-to-date news and views about new films, new soundtracks, and a behind the scenes look at the lives of our favourite stars. Contributions are very welcome from all members.

To join this SIG contact the Mensa office or the SIG Sec Vedika Agarwal at 53 Orchard Road, Tewin, Welwyn, AL6 0HL or vedika.agarwal14@googlemail.com

20 Questions (No. 124)

The answers to the November quiz were almond, 2, molasses, Yorkshire, Muscat, Cobb, mushroom, potato, beetroot, ambrosia, ribbons, avocado, Matterhorn, Italy, cranberry, apple, raspberry, Brazil, cheese and Bramley. There were entries from far and wide from Patrick Cavanagh of Mullingar, Sue Staples of Nottingham, Chris Newbold of Quorn, Pat Naylor of Nottingham, Pamela Covey of Woburn, Alex Foster of Derby, Andy Cole of Cleethorpes, Lynn Faulkner of Nottingham, Sue Barker of Bury and Philip Abbott of Watford. With so many correct entries the winner was drawn at random and Sue Staples receives a £10 book token.

All the answers in this month's quiz are numbers. Send your entry to arrive by 20th to '20 Questions (No. 124)', [Address]. There's another £10 book token up for grabs.

1. What is the atomic number for helium?

2. How many US state names begin with the word 'New'?

3. Roger Moore has starred in how many Bond films?

4. What is the sum in degrees of the interior angles of a triangle?

5. How many letters are there in the Gaelic alphabet?

6. The Petronas Towers have how many floors?

7. How many lines are there in a Spenserian stanza?

8. What is the minimum number of years that Scotch whisky must be matured in a cask?

9. The Roman numeral L represents how many?

10. Nelson Mandela spent how many years in prison?

11. How many stars are on the flag of Singapore?

12. How many years did Rip Van Winkle sleep in the story by Washington Irving?

13. In the UK a diamond anniversary celebrates how many years?

14. How many locks are there on the Caledonian Canal?

15. What is the square root of one gross?

16. How many states and territories form the Commonwealth of Australia?

17. Paper ignites at how many degrees fahrenheit?

18. The President of the United States must be at least how many years old?

19. How many pipers piping were there in the Twelve Days of Christmas?

20. What is the maximum number of performers allowed on stage for a Eurovision Song Contest act?