How to feel British: well, we just went along, met the Queen and enjoyed the Jubilee in style, the British way.
Andrew and Mikki Young went the extra mile ten years ago and still looking fashionable these days.
Regional News
I'll keep my column short as there is a lot to squeeze in the newsletter this month.
Just a reminder to get the most out of your membership by attending any of our social events (or even hosting one) or weekend gatherings, joining our online community via Brightspace or the East Midlands Mensa Facebook group, signing up to numerous Special Interest Groups or contributing a quiz, member profile, event review or other article to Empress.
I wish you and your family a wonderful summer and look forward to seeing you at a future event. I'm on [Phone Number] or [Email] if you wish to get in touch regarding any aspect of your membership.
Maxine Bates
Regional Officer
Editorial
Here we are, summer has come, the weather is nice (nicer), some of us are already thinking of holidays (and hols chaos at the airports). We have lots of events this month for all tastes and budgets so I hope you can enjoy this online edition while sitting in the garden enjoying a bit of sun. I have added links (click on t he purple name of t he event ) for you to check the location and distance to the events. Do please let me know if that helps and encourages you to attend events you normally don't and I will pass your thoughts to the other editors.
María Falces
Sally Branston - obituary
It is with great sadness that we report the death of Sally Branston on 3rd June 2022. Sally offered to organise an event in Newark, Notts, some years ago and it is from that the Newark Mensa group evolved. Her husband's career took her to live and work in many interesting places around the world. When they settled in Newark, Sally volunteered at the National Civil War Centre so was able to lead informative walks around the town for Mensans. Unfortunately she took ill towards the end of 2019 and her Mensa friends visited at home when she was no longer able to attend events. Huge condolences to her husband Nigel. Sally will be greatly missed.
Maxine Bates
Events and Meetings
Derby Diary
On Wed 13th Jul at 1:30pm - Lunch
If you're free daytime, or live locally and can escape work for an hour or so, join us at Cocoa Cafe, 2 Strutt St, Belper DE56 1UN, https://www.ishouldcocoacafe.co.uk/ . Free parking nearby. Panini, salads, daily specials, homemade cakes, hot/soft drinks etc. Numbers needed so tables can be reserved, as can get very crowded, especially in the summer. Please contact Helen on [Phone Number] or [Email] by Sunday 10th if possible.
On Wed 20th Jul at 7:30pm - 3WOTM
Join us at The Paddock, 391 Mansfield Road, Breadsall, Derby DE21 4AW (near the Meteor Retail Park) which is a "Hungry Horse" pub with reasonably priced food - come along to eat or just for a drink. Please let me know if you are thinking of coming or look for the yellow Mblem on a table in the front of the pub. Contact Susan on [Email] or [Phone Number]
Susan Graves
Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] / [Mobile Number] for details
Hertfordshire Happenings
On Thu 7th Jul at 8:00pm - FThOTM
This is our monthly meeting at the Three Magnets, in Leys Avenue. This is one of the main shopping streets of Letchworth, and is a short walk from the railway station, which is served by frequent trains between London and Cambridge. Please call or text Steve on [Phone Number], or email [Email] for further information and encouragement.
On Fri 29th Jul at 8:00pm - LFOTM
As ever, we are at the Cowper Arms, Digswell (next to Welwyn North station) from 8 pm. The restriction on numbers has been relaxed, but if you want to come, please can you call me on [Phone Number] by Friday 22nd July to give me an indication of who is coming.
Steve Thomas
Contact [Email] or [Mobile Number] for details
In Leicestershire
On Mon 18th Jul at 8:00pm - Pub Social
This month I'll be hosting the meeting at the Cradock Arms, 201 Knighton Road, Leicester LE2 3TT. You'll find me at a table with the yellow Mblem on at the lower section of the pub. Feel free to bring a guest along and enjoy a real ale, hot drink or whatever else you enjoy drinking. Large car park. Contact [Email] or [Phone Number]
On Sat 30th Jul at 7:00pm - Pub meal
July's meal is at The Three Crowns, 2-6 Cotes Road, Barrow upon Soar LE12 8JS. There is a car park at this 17th century building. Feel free to bring a friend along. Booking is essential so please let me know by 23rd July if you want to join us. Contact [Email] or [Phone Number]
Haydn Starkie
Contact [Email] or [Mobile Number] for details
Lively Lincs
On Sat 9th Jul at 12:00pm - 2SOTM pub discussion
Our regular lunch meeting at the Adam & Eve Tavern, Lindum Hill. Our topic this month: 'If you could go back and put right 3 mistakes in your past, what would they be?' All welcome. Car park, food, decent ales, tea/coffee. We have to book the alcove, so please contact me by Friday 8th if you hope to come. Email [Email] or telephone [Phone Number].
On Sat 23rd Jul at 12:00pm - Town walk
Join us for a light lunch in a local cafe (TBC) in Market Rasen and then follow the Heritage Tour of signposted historical sites around the town centre. This won't be a long or demanding walk, but should be interesting. All welcome, and you can bring a guest. If you would like to come, please let me know by Thursday 21st, preferably by email on [Email].
Jacquie Harrison
Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] / [Mobile Number] for details
Mid Bucks
On Fri 1st Jul at 10:30am - Coffee & Chat
Join me for coffee and chat at The Lady Grey Tea Room, The Little Barn Courtyard, 26 High Street, Wendover HP22 6DU. https://ladygreytearoom.co.uk/ No need to book, but if you want me to look out for you, let me know you are coming on [Phone Number] or e-mail me at [Email]
On Sat 2nd Jul at 2:30pm - Theatre
***DATE CHANGED TO 2nd JULY*** Join me at the Wycombe Swan theatre to see this adaptation of Michael Morpurgo's "Private Peaceful" for the stage. We join 18-year-old Private Tommo Peaceful in the trenches as he tells us his story. Buy your own tickets from https://wycombeswan.co.uk/Online/tickets-private-peaceful-wycombe-2022 Please contact me on [Phone Number] or e-mail me at [Email] to let me know you are coming.
For further details or encouragement contact me on [Phone Number] or e-mail me at [Email]
Val Hinkins
Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details
Mensans in MK & Bedford
On Sat 2nd Jul at 3:00pm - T@3
Join us in the restaurant of Dobbie's Garden Centre for tea, coffee, cakes and chat. Contact [Email], or [Phone Number] / [Phone Number].
On Mon 18th Jul at 7:00pm - Book Group
Join us in the foyer of Jury's Inn Hotel on Midsummer Boulevard as we discuss the next book in our series. Contact [Email], or [Phone Number] / [Phone Number] for more details.
On Sun 24th Jul at 10:00am - Sunday Breakfast
Join us in the lounge of The Swan Revived Hotel in Newport Pagnell for a leisurely breakfast, or just a coffee if you prefer. Let me know you're coming if possible, for the table reservation - [Email], or [Phone Number] / [Phone Number].
Just a reminder about our M-MK & Bedford Facebook group - if you would like to join please search for the group and send me a request. I also keep an email distribution list for meeting reminders and any last-minute changes, so if you would like to be added to this please let me know.
We hope to see as many of you as possible at one or other of our events this month. 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
Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] / [Mobile Number] for details
News from Northampton
On Sun 10th Jul at 10:30am - Breakfast Meeting
The Northampton monthly breakfast meeting at: Zapato Lounge, Welsh House, Market Square, NN1 2EB. Join us for a light snack or the full Lounge Breakfast! Look for the Mblem on one of the tables at the front of the café. Contact me on [Phone Number] or [Email]
On Fri 29th Jul at 11:00am - Treasure Trail & Lunch
Join us for a treasure hunt round the canal-side village of Stoke Bruerne, followed by pub lunch. Meet outside the entrance to the canal museum. Contact me on [Phone Number] or [Email]
On Fri 29th Jul at 2:15pm - Canal Museum Visit
If the treasure hunt around Stoke Bruern in the morning was not enough to entertain you, we will be following it up with a visit to the canal museum. Small admission charge. Contact me on [Phone Number] or [Email]
Notts News
On Thu 14th Jul at 7:30pm - 2ThOTM
It's our "2nd Thursday of the month" at The Cadland, High Road, Chilwell, NG9 5EG. Look for yellow Mblem on a large table, usually in area as you enter from car park at rear of pub. See menu at www.emberinns.co.uk. Most of us eat but you're welcome to come just for a drink. New faces always welcome. Contact Maxine on [Phone Number] or [Email] if needing encouragement to come along.
On Fri 22nd Jul at 5:30pm - Greyhound Racing
The charity tournaments are back at Nottingham Greyhound Stadium in Colwick! Gates open 5.30pm, first race 6.15pm, last race 9.15pm, stadium closes 10.00pm. Ample free parking and food/drink available to buy. Admission and race card only £3.50 (normally £7) with all money going to Cancer Research UK but must be purchased in advance. Contact Maxine on [Phone Number] or [Email]. Accompanied under 18s only £1 payable on the gate.
On Sat 23rd Jul at 11:15am - Museum
A visit to controversial author D H Lawrence Birthplace Museum, Victoria Street, Eastwood, NG16 3AW. Step back in time to 1885 for our self-guided tour. Admission £5, concessions £4.25, under 16s free and residents of NG8, NG9 and NG16 free with proof of address. Contact Maxine on [Phone Number] or [Email] to reserve your place by 20th.
On Sat 23rd Jul at 12:45pm - Lunch
Come along to The Lady Chatterley (Wetherspoon) on Nottingham Road, Eastwood, NG16 3AL, for a meal, snack or drink. An idea of numbers would be appreciated to help reservation of tables. Please phone [Phone Number] or email [Email] by 20th and to find out best place to park.
On Sat 23rd Jul at 2:00pm - Literary Walk
A walk following the Blue Line Trail to see the four homes of author D H Lawrence in Eastwood plus buildings used as inspiration for his works. Approx. 4 miles and 2 hours mostly on pavements. Start outside the D H Lawrence Birthplace Museum Contact [Phone Number] or [Email] for further info or just turn up on the day though check in case of inclement weather.
On Tue 26th Jul at 7:30pm - Eating Meeting
We return to Ania's, 558 Mansfield Road, Sherwood, NG5 2FS, for traditional Polish cuisine in large portions at reasonable prices. Pierogi and much more. Free parking nearby. A popular restaurant so reserve your place with Maxine on [Phone Number] or [Email] by 19th latest.
Ciao for now!
Maxine Bates
Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details
Olive Moroccan restaurant "eating meeting" in Belper - review
The Nottingham last Tuesday of the month "eating meeting" roved over the border into Belper, Derbyshire, in May, to revisit Olive Moroccan rest aurant . We'd previously visited it six years ago when we found the evening quirky when the owner had been let down by her waiting staff and ended up cooking, serving and clearing up all on her own. The small restaurant has since moved to slightly larger premises in a courtyard further down the same road. As there are very few Moroccan restaurants in the UK we thought we'd give it another try. Olive (the name of the restaurant, not the owner!) is usually closed on a Tuesday but kindly agreed to open especially for the Mensa group. Thus we were offered a special set three course meal of mezze platters, choice of tagine and Moroccan trifle, though we got bonus tabbouleh, cheese and courgette flatbread and sticky toffee pudding! All this was served in a candlelit atmosphere at an appropriate pace to allow chatting between courses and aid digestion. We were all rather full by the end of the lovely evening!
Maxine
Lakes Party Weekend 4th-7th November 2022
A weekend based at Whinfell Forest CenterParcs in the beautiful Lake District.
Package includes 3 nights in a twin or double room in a well-equipped forest setting lodge (sole occupancy available for a supplement), 3 parties (2 with optional fancy dress theme), some buffet meals, help yourself bar throughout the weekend, access to the sub-tropical swimming paradise, escape room challenge, walks, quiz, fruit wine tasting, learn to play bridge or musical instruments or crafts, firework display and much more!
Singles, couples or groups of friends of all ages welcome!
Cost from £170 per person.
See www.maruba-events.com for full details or contact Maxine.
We had a great time in 2019. After a couple of years break, we are ready to meet old friends and make new ones.
Don't forget to join us!
20 Questions (No. 249)
The answers to the May quiz were Sett, Sontarans, Sitka, Saturday Night, Simone Biles, Sorry!, Succotash, Sealyham, Sandwich, Sunshine On Leith, Semtex, Super Soaker, Sexton Blake, Soyuz, Sally Gunnell, Silkwood, Solomon, Simba, Sanditon and Summoned By Bells. Congratulations to Keith Hutchings of Mablethorpe who wins the £10 One4All gift card.
As the conflict in Ukraine continues, how much do you know about that country? Send your entries to arrive by 20th July to '20 Questions (No. 249)', [Address] or [Email] for your chance to win. Don?t forget to include your name and address or we won?t know where to send the prize!
1. What country borders Ukraine to the north?
2. Brothers Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko are champions in which sport?
3. What is the international dialling code for Ukraine?
4. Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin met for a famous conference in which Ukrainian city in 1945?
5. What is the currency of Ukraine?
6. Ukraine is known as the what basket of Europe?
7. Which actress who stars in the film Black Swan was born in Ukraine?
8. What is the highest mountain in Ukraine?
9. Ukraine is home to how many UNESCO World Heritage sites?
10. Volodymr Zelenskyy recorded the voice of the title character in the Ukrainian dubbing of which film?
11. In which year did Ukraine gain independence from the Soviet Union?
12. When do Ukrainians celebrate Unity Day?
13. How many lines make up the subway in the capital Kyiv?
14. What is the main ingredient of borscht soup?
15. Which Ukrainian Olympic swimmer has the nickname 'Goldfish'?
16. On which date did the Chernobyl nuclear disaster occur?
17. What is the national animal of Ukraine?
18. Pysanky are decorated items of what food item?
19. Ukraine is the world?s largest producer of which type of oil?
20. What is the official residence of the Ukrainian President?