Regional News

By the time you read this Britain will be in the midst of the Jubilee and Olympics. Will you be celebrating either or both of these special events and, if so, how? What are your thoughts on the British monarchy? Do you admire the royal family or think they are a waste of money? Do you think London were wise to bid to host such a prestigious yet expensive sporting event? Do you know anyone selected to carry the Olympic torch? Please let Empress know your comments and opinions as, being Mensans, we surely don't agree!

I hope that those of you who attended our "Best Of British" event last month had an enjoyable evening. At the time of writing at the end of May I'm surrounded by piles of red, white and blue bunting, union flags, table cloths, cake stands, a mock Olympic torch and have my patriotic costume ready!

Our next regional event will once again take place at Diseworth Village Hall near East Midlands Airport as this was found to be an excellent location with plenty of cheap accommodation locally. The date will be Saturday 16th February 2013 so mark it in your diary now and watch this space. It is intended that the evening will include a buffet, bar and live music and will be totally free for members to attend.

As always you are welcome to contact me on [Phone Number] or [Email]

Maxine Bates

Regional Officer

Member Moments

Congratulations to Northampton members Emma and Richard Dutton on the safe arrival of their baby boy William Gregory on 13th May.

Events and Meetings

Lively Lincs

On Sat 14th Jul at 12:05pm - 2SaOTM

Our usual 2SaOTM, Saturday 14th July, pub discussion at the Adam & Eve on Lindum Hill, Lincoln will be on 'Is Society over-materialistic?'. All welcome to join us from 12.05 for lunch or just a drink, main discussion starts at 12.30 followed by general chat until 2ish or later For encouragement: [Email] .

On Sun 15th Jul at 2:30pm - At home

On Sunday, 15th July, 2.30 - 5.30, Helen & Paul Shovlar are hosting an afternoon in their garden near Spilsby. Conversation, home-made jam and home-grown fruit for tea! All rather dependent on the weather, so please telephone [Phone Number] or email [Email], to let them know you're coming and check their address.

On Sun 29th Jul at 3:00pm - Teatime thinking

Come to Alford for Teatime Thinking on Sunday 29th July, 3-5. General discussion over tea and cakes on ideas of the main philosophers but no previous knowledge required, everyone can join in. This month: Grayling: Should religious views constrain working life? For directions: [Email]

Christine Howells

Notts News

This month we have our two regular events involving food and drink followed by a weekend of activities.

On Thu 5th Jul at 8:00pm - 5OTM

We start with our get together at the Vat & Fiddle from 8.00pm on Thursday 5th. Find us in the Golding's Room to the left of the bar. We quite often have the room to ourselves so should be easy to find but feel free to phone beforehand if you're coming along for the first time.

On Thu 12th Jul at 7:30pm - Natter and nosh

The following Thursday, 12th July, find us at The Beekeeper on Meadow Lane in Beeston from 7.30pm. This is a Hungry Horse pub so good value food and drink. This month we have vouchers for a free drink (pint of Greene King IPA or Fosters, glass of wine, Coca Cola or lemonade) with every meal ordered. Even better value! Arrive or leave whatever time is convenient. Enjoy a full meal, light bite or just a drink. We'll be on the table near the food order point at the end of the bar. Both these events are well-attended with chance to meet members of all ages and nationalities.

On Sat 14th Jul at 12:00pm - Relay For Life

From midday on Saturday 14th to midday on Sunday 15th you are invited to join the Mensa team taking part in Relay For Life at Harvey Hadden Stadium in Bilborough in aid of Cancer Research UK. There will be at least one member of our team walking on the track for the whole 24 hours (to signify that cancer never sleeps) and during daylight hours there will be a host of entertainment around the stadium such as live music, pole dancing demonstration, zumba class, zorbing balls on water (great fun!), stalls, food and not forgetting non-alcoholic cocktails served by our team. Look for the big white "Cocktail Crew" marquee and say hello. Admission is free but proceeds from food, drink and activities all go to charity. The event will start with a lap of honour walked by cancer survivors - if you are one yourself or know anyone who is please get in touch with me if you'd like to be invited to the free survivors tea party at the event - and end with a dance party on the track for everyone. As darkness falls there will be a candle of hope ceremony to remember those who have died of this terrible disease (too many of my Mensa friends unfortunately) and to celebrate those who have been diagnosed, treated and survived. It's very moving as the flickering candles spelling HOPE are re-arranged to spell CURE. This is the 4th year I've been involved in Relay For Life and it's an amazing event for a very worthwhile cause. Please do come and visit us if you can. All ages welcome. You can follow our progress at cruk.convio.net/goto/cocktailcrew

Ciao for now!

Maxine Bates

Derby Diary

On Wed 28th Jul at 7:30pm - 3WOTM

Just our regular event this month. We'll be at the Standing Order on Irongate from 7.30pm on Wednesday 18th. Find us on a long table in the low ceiling area at the rear of the pub. A yellow Mblem will be on display or contact me in advance for directions, parking suggestions or further information. All welcome for food or just a drink as well as interesting conversation.

If anyone has suggestions for future events around the county please do get in touch with me. I'd also welcome contact for a no obligation chat if you may be interested in becoming Derby Local Secretary. It has one of the best attended Mensa pub socials in the country and I'd like to build on that.

Maxine Bates

Northants NNotes

On Thu 5rh Jul at 9:00pm - FThOTM

This month's Northampton meeting is on Thursday 5th July at 9pm and we return to what many consider to be the town's premier real ale pub (other drinks are available). Yes, it's the Malt Shovel in Bridge Street, and you should find us at one of the tables towards the back of the pub, close to the entrance to the Beer Garden.

On Thu 12th Jul at 8:00pm - Roadshow

This month's Roadshow meeting is a week earlier than normal so don't miss the date: Thursday 12th July at 8pm. We're going to the Red Lion, Welford Road, Thornby - which is on the A5199 between Northampton and Welford. Members from South Leicestershire are invited to hop over the county boundary to join in the conversation.

For both meetings a copy of the Mensa magazine, or another Mensa symbol, will show you who we are. If you need any further information contact me on [Phone Number] or e-mail [Email].

Ian Sargent

Leicestershire Letter

On Thu 19th Jul at 8:00pm - 3ThOTM

After a busy June, I'm planning a quieter July (bearing in mind that people have got holidays and stuff to fit it), starting off with our usual Third Thursday gathering at The Craddock Inn (see http://tinyurl.com/leicsMensaTTOTM) on the 19th, starting at 20:00. Given that this is summer, we'll probably be inside hiding from the rain, so just look out for the magazine or yellow mBlem on a table somewhere!

On Tue 31st Jul at 8:00pm - Eating meeting

That will be followed on Tuesday 31st with a combined Leicester / Derby / Nottingham eating-meeting at The Harvester in Loughborough, starting at 20:00. (See http://www.harvester.co.uk/thewheatsheafloughborough/). I'll need to know how big a table to book, so please could you call me on [Phone Number] or email [Email] by Monday 23rd July at the very latest to let me know you're coming?

Paul Coulson

The Beeliacs

When he's not busy being Leicester LocSec (and eating cake!), Paul Coulson has recently joined a blues band, playing the bass and double-bass. The Beeliacs are playing their first full gig at The Shed in Yeoman Street in Leicester on Friday July 20th, starting at about 9:30-10:00ish (depending on the support band!). Entrance is a fiver (set by the venue), and some familiar faces coming along to give their support would be enormously appreciated. For more details, please give Paul a call on [Phone Number], or drop him a line at [Email].

Watever...

On 30th Jun - 15h Jul at Various - Bushey Festival

This July we plan to attend a few events at the Bushey Festival which takes place between Saturday 30th June and Sunday 15th July

The festival celebrates art, music, fitness, sports, theatre, food & drink.

For more information, visit http://www.busheyfestival.org.uk then click on the 'Festival Events' link on the right hand panel

We will probably attend 2 or 3 of the events if there is sufficient interest - which I'm sure there will be after last year!

To ensure that you are included, please contact me with your current address if you are not receiving my email updates each month.

I will make sure you are added to the address list and kept up-to-date with what's happening Mensa-wise in our area.

On Mon 23rd Jul at 8:00pm - Pub meeting

Pub meeting at the Essex Arms, Langley Way, Watford. WD17 3EG

Please look for the Magazine on the table.

We get a good turn out to the pub meets and have a wide age range - come and say hi!

New members always warmly welcomed.

David Seddon

Mid Bucks

On Sun 29th Jul at 11:00am - Tring reservoirs walk

Meet me at the pay and display car park on the B489 near Marsworth Bridge by 11 am on Sunday 29th July. Ian will lead us on a gentle stroll around the Tring reservoirs, habitat of many species of water birds, and we will also see the Marsworth flight of locks.

Total distance is approximately three miles and the paths and hides are claimed to give good access for wheelchairs, buggies, etc.. We will finish with a relaxed lunch. .

More details of the area are available at: http://www.tringreservoirs.org.uk/touristinfo.html#Map

For further directions or encouragement please ring me on [Phone Number] or e-mail me at [Email] It would be helpful to have some idea of numbers in advance, but you are welcome just to turn up on the day.

A brief reminder about the open-air performance of Much Ado About Nothing at Hughenden Manor on Saturday 4th August at 7pm. Tickets (£16 / £12) are available from the National Trust on 0844 2491895.

A few people have expressed an interest in informal Scrabble evenings. If you haven't yet contacted me and would like to join in, please let me know and I will co-ordinate some initial dates and venues.

Val Hinkins

Herts Happenings

On Thu 5th Jul at 8:15pm - FThOTM

Regular first Thursday of the month meeting. 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 on [Phone Number] for more details and encouragement. The pub is about ten minutes' walk from the railway station.

Richard Allen

To avoid clashing with the Olympics opening ceremony, Last Friday has been moved forward a week and is now on the penultimate Friday, otherwise still in the usual way with good food and drink at the Cowper Arms, Digswell, Herts (by Welwyn North station). Call me on [Phone Number] for more details and encouragement. The pub is next to the railway station, which is served by stopping trains from Kings Cross to Cambridge and Peterborough. If the weather's fine, we might be outside for a bit!

Berkhamsted

On Wed 25th Jul at 7:45pm - LWOTM

We will meet as usual at the Old Mill at 7.45-ish, the pub set back from the London road, next door to the Esso petrol station on Berkhamsted's High Street, (the old A 41 before they built the by-pass).

Come and chat / drink/ eat and meet. New members welcome.

Jenny Habib

Mensans In MK and Bedford

We're on holiday towards the end of July, so our three events are in the first half of the month.

On Thu 5th Jul at 8:00pm - FThOTM

Please join us on the 5th from 8pm for informal First Thursday chat at The Old Beams at Shenley Lodge. We will try to get a table in the small room at the right hand end - look out for the Mblem or mag.

See http://www.mcmullens.co.uk/oldbeams for location, menu etc. Feel free to join us for a meal or just a drink

On Mon 9th Jul at 7:30pm - Japanese meal

On Monday 9th we will be taking advantage of Yo! Sushi's Blue Monday offer, where everything on the conveyor is at the blue plate price of £2.40. HOWEVER..this offer is time-limited and we don't know if it will still be available in July, so please check with me or on their website at http://www.yosushi.com/offers/blue-mondays beforehand - or be prepared for normal prices if the offer has ended. Yo! is in the Centre:MK and we will be meeting at 7.30 pm.

On Sun 15th Jul at 10:15am

Sunday breakfast will be at 10.15 am on Sunday 15th, at Carluccio's in the Centre:MK. Feel free to come for a full breakfast, a snack, or just a drink, but if possible please let me know by Saturday 14th so we have an idea what size table to grab when we arrive. We will probably be in one of the red booths just outside the restaurant.

We hope to see as many of you as possible at one or other of our events in July. Do remember that you're welcome to bring a guest with you, so if you've never been to a Mensa event and are a little nervous about coming along on your own, just bring a friend!

Jo Sidebottom

Dear Empress readers,

My name is Alexandra Smith and I've been a member of Mensa for 5 months. I am currently doing an MSc in Psychological Wellbeing and Mental Health at Nottingham Trent University which is due to finish in late August.

I am interested in doing a PhD and am particularly interested in qualitative methods. For my Masters project I am using semi-structured interviews, analysed using Grounded Theory and would greatly appreciate any information regarding possible research assistantships or PhD studentships in the East Midlands. I can be contacted at alexandra_smith1@hotmail.co.uk

A group of 6 mensans pose sitting around a table at the Sunday breakfast meeting in Milton Keynes.
Sunday breakfast meeting at Carluccio's in Milton Keynes. See. Mensans In MK and Bedford for the details of the July meeting.

'20 Questions (No. 130)'

Entries to the May competition were received from Pamela Covey of Woburn, Helene Parry of Brentford, Michael Warren of Derby, T Hamilton of Sleaford, Sue Barker of Bolton, Philip Abbott of Watford, Carol Wheatcroft of Derby and someone who forgot to include their name! The £10 book token is in the post to Michael.

If you're wondering the answers were Down Under by Men At Work, Swinging On A Star by Bing Crosby, Jambalaya by Hank Williams, Venus And Mars by Wings, The King Of Rock And Roll by Prefab Sprout, I Feel Good by James Brown, Back In The USA by Chuck Berry, The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonight by REM, That Was Then But This Is Now by ABC, The Fast Food Song by Fast Food Rockers, Walk Like An Egyptian by The Bangles, Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds by The Beatles, Scarborough Fair by Simon & Garfunkel, Sing For Your Supper by The Mamas & The Papas, Jack And Diane by John Cougar Mellencamp, Eat It by Weird Al Yankovic, Sweet Talking Guy by The Chiffons, I Can't Help Myself by The Four Tops, The Christmas Song by Nat King Cole and I Eat Cannibals by Toto Coelo.

O stands for Olympics and O is also the last letter of each answer. Many thanks to Les Hurst for compiling this month's competition. Send your entries to arrive by 20th July to '20 Questions (No. 130)', 80 Milnhay Road, Langley Mill, Nottingham, NG16 4AW.

1. The game that ends in a "house".

2. The place of wild garlic on the lake.

3. Ottowan's first and most successful single.

4. The potato state of the USA.

5. Goddess on the beach.

6. Top Of The Pops' punk era dancers.

7. Trademarked first by brewers Bass.

8. Jim Morrison had it, Austin Powers lost it.

9. Flash Gordon's home planet.

10. Father Zimbabwe.

11. Ruth Archer's negativity echoing around Ambridge.

12. Enters, saying "music is the food of love"

13. Car, game, shirt or sweet.

14. The father of many Dalmatians.

15.

16. Nickname of French President 2007-2012.

17. Napoleon first or Han later.

18. T E Stockwell contributed three fifths of a name.

19. The love apple in the nightshades.

20. The other side of "Recto".

Eight pages printed on one sheet.