Regional Open Day & BBQ
SATURDAY 13TH AUGUST 2005
HOLIDAY INN RUGBY/NORTHAMPTON, M1 J18
Join us for the East Midlands Mensa first "open day" which will comprise:
* an icebreaker activity/quiz to enable you to make friends with other members.
* information on all aspects of Mensa membership including Special Interest Groups, the SIGHT service, weekend gatherings, the 2006 diamond anniversary celebrations and more.
* a range of short lectures/workshops by fellow members.
* chance to play the new Mensa Connections board game.
This event will take place in the Albany Suite of the Holiday Inn from 2.00 pm to 6.00 pm and you are welcome to join in at whatever time is convenient. Friends and family are also welcome.
From 6.30 pm we will be enjoying a BBQ on the lawns outside the Albany Suite followed by an informal disco until midnight. There will be a cash bar.
The cost to attend both the daytime and evening events is just £7.00 per person as the events are being subsidised from regional funds so that as many members can attend as possible.
The Holiday Inn is very easy to find. From M1 J18 follow the A428 towards Crick and the hotel is located 240 metres on the left with free parking. The nearest railway station is at Rugby which is 11 km away.
If you are travelling some distance and wish to make it a mini-weekend break the Holiday Inn are offering room rates of £35 per person sharing a twin/double room or £50 sole occupancy. This includes full English breakfast and complimentary use of their health club. Please book direct with the hotel on 0870-400-9059.
Optional events for the Sunday are a visit to Stanford Hall (see www.stanfordhall.co.uk) costing £5.00 adult/£2.00 child or Althorp House (see www.althorp.com) costing £12 adult/£6 child. Both these attractions are situated approx. 6-7 miles from the Holiday Inn. Pay on the day.
Booking deadline for the BBQ is 6th August. Cheques should be made payable to "East Midlands Mensa" and sent to Maxine Bates, [Address].
Beef burgers in buns
Cumberland sausages
Honey & mustard chicken drumsticks
Olive burgers (V)
Vegetable kebabs (V)
Caramelised onions (V)
A selection of salads and relishes
Apple pie and cream
Fresh fruit salad
Regional News
After many years producing excellent issues of this newsletter I'm sorry to say that Becky Verkade-Cave has resigned in order to pursue other interests. As a token of our appreciation for Becky's time and effort over the years she was presented with a £20 Leisure voucher which she and husband Herman have put to good use. Nick and Rosie remain but we are seeking a third Editor so that the work can be shared and is therefore enjoyable rather than a monthly chore. If you are interested please contact either Rosie, Nick or myself for further details.
To counterbalance Becky's departure from the East Midlands team we welcome Guy Whitehouse as our new Regional Publicity Officer. Guy only joined Mensa in March 2005 and his enthusiasm has astounded us. You can find out more about Guy in this month's member profile. If you become aware of anything that would be newsworthy within Mensa then Guy would be delighted to hear from you.
As usual we have an array of social events for you this month, including a whole weekend of theatre, comedy, literature, walks and parties in Buxton over the 22nd-24th July weekend. For full details please contact Ray Calverley on [Phone Number] or [Email]. On Saturday 13th August East Midlands Mensa are holding our first 'open day' followed by a BBQ and disco at the Holiday Inn Rugby/Northampton at M1 J18. You will find full details in this issue of Empress and the booking deadline is 6th August.
The full programme of events and booking forms for next years Annual Gathering in Nottingham should shortly be available. These diamond anniversary celebrations take place from 28th September to 2nd October 2006. Yes, I know this seems a long time away, but bedrooms in the main Holiday Inn hotel are already 25% sold out. Further info can be found at www.mensa.org.uk/diamond or just ask me.
Maxine Bates
Regional Officer
20 Questions (No. 46)
Did you unscramble the anagrams in the May issue? They were Erasure, Simple Minds, Spandau Ballet, Tears For Fears, Aztec Camera, Hue And Cry, New Order, Men At Work, Dire Straits, The Police, Eurythmics, Dream Academy, Bronski Beat, Depeche Mode, Deacon Blue, Icicle Works, The Pointer Sisters, The Communards, New Edition and Modern Romance.
Entries were received from Paul Henchliffe of Nottingham, David Thornley of Matlock, Barbara Southam of Derby, Michael Warren of Derby, Christine Barradell of Leicester, Jo Phelan of Brackley, Lynn Faulkner of Nottingham, Dawn Cox of Derby and David Ribbans of Luton. The winner picked at random was Lynn.
This month's quiz is once again set by Angela Darby. Just name the architect(s) of each of these famous buildings/structures and send your answers to arrive by 20th August to '20 Questions (No. 46)', [Address], for chance to win a prize.
1. The Royal Observatory, Greenwich
2. Guggenheim Museum, New York
3. Jewish Museum, Berlin
4. Lloyds Building, London
5. The Sagrada Familia, Barcelona
6. Opera House, Sydney
7. Blenheim Palace
8. Banqueting Hall, Whitehall
9. Medici Chapel, Florence
10. Liverpool Anglican Cathedral
11. Eden Project, Cornwall
12. Empire State Building, New York
13. Tate Modern, London
14. The London Eye, London
15. Pompidou Centre, Paris
16. Sears Tower, Chicago
17. Wellington Arch, London
18. Hong Kong & Shanghai Bank, Hong Kong
19. Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao
20. The Red House, Bexleyheath
Events and Meetings
Notts News
On Tue 5th July at 8:00pm
Join us at the Vat & Fiddle from 8.00 pm on Tuesday 5th for a friendly drink and chat. The pub is located on Queensbridge Road near Nottingham railway station and has free parking right outside. Find us displaying the yellow Mblem to the left of the bar. Call Maxine on [Phone Number] if you need directions. Females especially welcome.
On Wed 13th July at 7:00pm
Our now regular "chicks & flicks" event takes place on Wednesday 13th. Meet us inside the doors to the Cornerhouse complex in Nottingham city centre at 7.00 pm from where we'll buy tickets for a later film before heading to Nando's restaurant on Forman Street. You are welcome to join us for either the meal, film or both. Contact Andy for further details on [Phone Number] or [Email]
On Tue 26th July at 7:30pm
Paul Davis is kindly hosting our "Globetroughers" event this month which is a meal at The Palm Tree, the East Midlands' only Lebanese restaurant on Arkwright Street (near the Vat & Fiddle) at 7.30 pm on Tuesday 26th. Eat as much as you like for just £12 choosing from at least ten authentic vegetarian and meat dishes. The full menu is at www.palmtreerestaurant.com. To reserve your place contact Paul on [Phone Number] or [Email]
On Thu 28th July at 7:30pm
Following the success of the revival event in Newark in April - with thanks to the dozen members who joined us for the meal - Peter Gault will be hosting a get together at The Unicorn in Gunthorpe from 7.30 pm on Thursday 28th. Join us for a meal or just a drink. If you need directions please call Peter on [Phone Number].
On Advance Notice
Finally advance notice that I'm organising a salsa night on Friday 14th October. This will be a four course buffet style meal, chance to learn some salsa steps from a champion dancer and followed by a disco at The Village Hotel in Chilwell. The cost is £15.95 per person. Please contact me on [Phone Number] or [Email] if interested.
Ciao for now!
Maxine Bates
On See Text
At the time of writing (May), I obviously have not got feedback from the June Magazine as to any preferences for either of the two Saturdays we can attend the open air performance of "As You Like It" by the Lincoln Shakespeare Company. This will be in the historic setting of the Bishops Palace and they are usually very good productions and popular. The two dates are the 30th July or 6th August so please ring me on [Phone Number] for details earlier rather later if you think you would like to come. All very welcome.
Jacquie Harrison
Derbyshire
On Wed 20th July at 7:30pm
July will be a busy month for many members in the Derby area with the Annual Gathering one weekend followed by Mr. Calverley's gathering at the Buxton festival the following weekend. Consequently, the only meeting we're holding this month is the regular 3WOTM one at the Standing Order in Derby on the 20th. I shall probably sit with one drink all evening so that I can afford to go to Buxton on the following Saturday.
Bernard Briggs
On Fri 22nd July at to Sun 24th
Buxton Festival Fringe: Meet outside the Old Clubhouse in front of Opera House. Three day eclectic mix of walking, cultural and comedic events. Details from Ray on [Phone Number] or [Email].
Ray Calverley
Leicestershire
On Sun 31st July at 2:00pm
Enjoy a great day out exploring one of the country's largest maize mazes on Sunday 31st July at 2.00pm. Wistow maze is set in 8 acres of living corn crop with 4 miles of paths to navigate and explore, it also incorporates 3m high bridges and viewing towers which give panoramic views over the maze and surrounding countryside. Entry to the maze costs £4 adults, £3 children. Followed by a visit to Wistan-le-Dale model village which comprises of 75 buildings which were created over 20years ago. Book by Wednesday 27th July on [Email] or [Phone Number].
Rebecca Mawby
Contrary to popular opinion Milton Keynes is a rather attractive place, nowhere more so than Willen Lake. Come see for yourself on the 3rd.
Milton Keynes
On Sun 3rd July at 2:30pm
We thought we'd take a stroll around Willen Lake, possibly going up to the Peace Pagoda too. Meet in the car park by the pub on the south west side of the lake at 2.30. We'll probably call in for refreshments afterwards if we have time. Contact Jo at [Email], [Phone Number] / [Phone Number] for directions/encouragement.
Jo Sidebottom & Chris Lonsbrough
Northants NNotes
On Thu 14th July at 9:00pm
The Northants 2nd Thursday meeting is at the Dusty Fox in Harlestone as usual, but the big question is can I get back from Heathrow in time for it? Turn up and find out.
On Tue 26th July at 8:00pm
This month's Roadshow meeting returns to the Green Dragon in in College Street, Higham Ferrers. Hopefully we'll be able to grab a table before the campanologists turn up.
As ever, look for the Mensa Mag on a table. Directions and further information from me on [Phone Number] or [Email].
Ian Sargent
Luton/Dunstable
On Sun 17th July at Noon
"G is for Games in the Park"
Bring your picnic, balls, bats, kids, dogs, grannies, family and friends and join us for a fun afternoon at Mentmore Crescent Park, Dunstable. We will be there with our picnic on a yellow blanket at midday, definitely with our Black Cocker Spaniel and hopefully with our children depending on whether we can drag them out of bed that early :o)
After lunch there is a small park with swings for the younger children. A big field for ball games and some great walks, so we should be able to burn off a few calories. If you just want to rest and enjoy the sunshine then please come along too !!
Come along and collect another stamp for your passport!!
Tara Morgan
Hertfordshire
A cultural treat. Shakespeare events in Hertfordshire and Lincoln are in this month's listing.
On Wed 13th July at 6:00pm
Shakespeare and Picnic: A regular feature of the annual Broxbourne Festival is the outdoor performance of a Shakespeare play - this year's is 'Love's Labour's Lost'. The gardens at Broxbourne Civic Hall are a lovely setting. Bar available; bring your own picnic (1800) and be prepared for a drop in temperature through the evening. Tickets available from the box office on 01992 441 946, but I'd like to know if you are planning to join me, so ring me too on [Phone Number].
Gwen Jones
On Thu 14th July at 7:30pm
Pub meal at the Plume of Feathers, Ickleford (off the A600 north of Hitchin). Bus 182 (Hitchin - Bedford), passes close by. Good food and beer both available! Call Helen on [Phone Number] for further details and encouragement.
Helen Rees
On Wed 20th July at 8:00pm
After a one-month gap due to my being on holiday, we're going back to an old haunt, Mutiara Malaysian and Thai restaurant on Hermitage Road, Hitchin. This is about 10-15 minutes' walk from the station and most local bus services to/from Hitchin stop in or close to Hermitage Road. Ring me on [Phone Number] to book.
Richard Allen
Regulars - see main mag for details
Sun 3rd July8:00pmSt AlbansFSuOTM The Plough at Sleapshyde Lesley Chester
Thu 7th July8:00pmWoughtonFThOTM Ye Olde Swan Jo Sidebottom
Thu 7th July8:00pmRoystonFThOTM Old Bull Dan Ormsby
Wed 20th July8:00pmMilton Keynes3WOTM Wetherspoons Jo Sidebottom
Wed 27th July7:45pmBerkhamstedOld Mill PubJenny Habib
Fri 29th July8:00pmHertingfordburyLFOTM White Horse Richard Allen
"E Is For Entertainment"
If you didn't join in this event you missed a treat !! 10 entertainers met up at Caroline and Steve's house for a fun-filled evening. Caroline had put together a full programme which included a generation game activity where we all tried to make an origami mouse, a giggleossary and a great ice breaker where we all had to guess what the "E" connection of 26 pictures were. The entertainment was very varied : Steve and Sam held us spellbound with their magic tricks, Mark and Caroline had us in stitches with their comic readings from Roald Dahl, Joyce Grenfell and Stanley Holloway. Alan played the trombone and we all joined in with his rendition of the Dad's Army theme. Steve strummed his guitar and sung witty folk songs. Some of us just enjoyed being entertained and all of us were enthusiastic with the well deserved applause. I am sure everyone who took part would agree this was an evening which would be well worth repeating!!
by Tara Morgan
Northampton Meeting at The Dusty Fox, Harlestone
While I'm not a new member to Mensa, I am new to Northampton, and what a warm welcome I received at the 2nd Thursday of the month meeting! The Dusty Fox is a recently refurbished pub restaurant in Northamptonshire, offering real ale, good food and great company. It's not smokey, but is well lit and has friendly staff. I arrived at 9pm, the posted start time, but the offer is there to arrive earlier and have dinner. Settling down with a J2O, I introduced myself to the assembled. Nervous? Oh yes, but there was no need to be as we all chatted about the trials of studying, discussed with interest the forthcoming Diamond AG, favourite films, bizarre music and Maggie's up coming choral recital. Rather than being nervous, I was put at such ease that I've now offered to host my first meeting; I never thought a simple pub meet would come to this! Look out for my meeting in the August Empress. So why don't you come to the Dusty Fox, every 2nd Thursday from 9pm for conversation, drinks and more!? For directions/encouragement contact Ian Sargent on [Phone Number] or [Email]
Jackie Goss
Your Letters...
A letter came flooding in this month, from Barry Coleman responding to Keith Stendall's "Light" article, so here it is.
Keith,
An amusing and provoking article - I enjoyed reading it.
I'm not sure, however, why I should believe that if we can't observe some event, or replicate it scientifically in practice or theory, we should deny it as a possibility.
I know that this is the "scientific way" but is there only "science"? Science has got us where we are; probably. It has made amazing things possible like getting pictures down wires and through the air to my television, for example. For me, however, I doubt whether "science" is the only way to get to the wonderful(?) world that we live in.
In fact, you will know that nothing is ever ultimately provable or dis-provable from what science teaches us. Science tells us that the only knowledge that we have is that which reaches our brains through electro-chemical signals travelling along our nerve fibres from fairly crude sensors. Our brains then interpret and build their worlds from this information, from their own remembered experiences and from their genetically defined structures. Do you think, if this is true, that we really know much about what is "out there"? Other stuff like clairvoyance, for example, has never been scientifically replicated and so cannot be true.
By the way, I have often wondered about Einstein's claim that nothing is faster than the speed of light. I have been unable to understand (probably my inadequacy) why something should not be able to go faster than something which has a measurable speed. Can anyone help? Could we ever get to "instantaneous travel"? (I suppose that this might mean that the famous points A and B are both in the same place at the same time - ask "The Doctor")
Great stuff Keith - got me thinking anyway! I'm not sure whether I am arguing with you or against you here but it probably doesn't matter.
Baz - BA. Hons. (OU) - Computing, Systems Study, Psychology
Barry Coleman
Meet Guy...
Guy Whitehouse is our new Regional Publicity Officer and lives in Nottingham.
Why did you join?
I first heard of Mensa a few years ago when I read the book "Pull the door marked push". It sounded like an interesting organisation and so I rang up and enquired about membership. The person on the end of the phone, who sounded a bit as if intelligence tests were a bit beneath his dignity, promised he'd put some sample tests in the post to me. Despite two attempts they never arrived and so I just forgot about it. Then last year I signed up to the e-mail user group dedicated to ex-pupils of my secondary school, Worcester College for the Blind (Now RNIB New College Worcester). Someone circulated a message to the effect that an emeritus professor of psychology at Birmingham, a Michael Tobin, was conducting research into the hypothesis that people with my eye condition, retinoblastoma, had higher than average intelligence. I offered to be one of his guinea-pigs, his fiftieth as it turned out.
When did you join Mensa?
Professor Tobin came down to my home and applied parts of the Wexsler intelligence test and a week later sent me a copy of his findings. I rang Mensa and asked what policy was in the case of blind applicants. I was told that I didn't have to sit the formal Mensa IQ test, simply on the grounds that they wouldn't agree to provide someone to read out or describe the questions and that I had to submit a report from a recognised psychologist that my IQ was in the top two percent. I sent in the results of this test expecting to be told that more evidence was required, but on March 9th, my 40th birthday as it turned out, my membership was formally approved.
Have you attended any events?
My first event was the March "Globetroughers" meal in Nottingham and then I attended a get together at the Vat and Fiddle and a "chicks and flicks" night. I was surprised to discover that I had become active in the organisation unusually quickly. It was a bit disappointing to discover that there were many inactive members; the concept of paying £40 per year to belong to an organisation in which one does nothing strikes me as odd, but there it is.
Do you belong to any
SIGs?
I joined my special interest groups, classical music, singles, arts and literature, theatre Oxbridge and the parties and role-playing games groups.
Do you have any hobbies/interests?
My interests and hobbies are mostly in line with those
SIG groups, though role-playing games will be new (I'm a chess player). I am also a keen walker and have trekked through the Himalayas and the Rockies and have completed several long distance footpaths in this country as well as climbing most of the well-known British mountains.
What's your occupation?
I am a computer analyst and programmer but am looking for a career change. In the autumn I begin an electronic publishing and web design course at Loughborough University, perhaps with a view to getting into academic publishing.
Member Moments
Congratulations to Adrian Parkinson and Sarah Daley on their marriage on 2nd July 2005.
With best wishes for your future happiness from all your friends in Mensa.
Mensa Music Weekend
Mensa Music Weekend is again coming up soon! 12th - 14th August. Open to all musicians of whatever standard, it enables players and singers to work on pieces largely of their own choosing. Also a chance to sing in a small choir and/or play in an orchestra. Weekend has a social element too, so should be fun! Takes place at the prestigious Chetham's School of Music, Long Millgate, Manchester M3 1SB.
Booking forms available now from Diane Salter, British Mensa Ltd, St John's House, St John's Square, Wolverhampton, WV2 4AH (SAE preferred), or telephone the office on 01902 772771.
For any musical enquiries, contact David via [Email] or on [Phone Number]. Runs from the Friday at 5pm until about 4pm on the Sunday. Closing date for enquiries Tuesday 2nd August. This may be extended, but only if we are short of a particular instrument.
Urban Myths Exposed - #3
The Inuit (eskimo) language has around a dozen words for snow - approximately the same number as the English language.
More precisely, it has about a dozen word roots for snow. These roots can be extended indefinitely to form new words in much the same way as one forms sentences in english, but this is true of any Inuit word root.
