A to Z Events Review

Well, it took two and a half years but we finally made it to the end of this alphabet marathon.

We started way back with "A is for Archaeology". Myself and my husband are both members of the local Manshead Archaeological Society, we talked about basic local archaeology and a little about the society then some hands on pottery idenfication. We rounded off the evening at a local Chinese restaurant. After getting the A to Z off to such a flying start I only needed to fill in the other twenty five letters remaining and we'd be home and dry!

The next event was "B is for Baked potato" at our house. Basically I supplied the baked potatoes and salad and Mensa members turned up with various fillings, this turned out to be a real ice breaker for people who hadn't tried the social side before.

The "E for Entertainment" was especially fun. It was a chance to do your party piece in front of your new friends, not that this was compulsory as we needed an audience as well. We were entertained with a Stanley Holloway monologue, someone else played the trombone, there were some folk songs from Lincolnshire, magic, poems and an especially clever young man wowed us with his conjuring tricks.

Country walks seemed quite popular and we had a good time walking round the nearby village of Aldbury, Ivinghoe Beacon, Kensworth Quarry and Dunstable Downs.

When I first started this someone said to me arrange things around food and drink and you won't go far wrong. Well, that has more or less worked and we have had many entertaining evenings in various restaurants and pubs in the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire areas sampling all kinds of fayre including Indian, Italian, Chinese, Thai, good pub grub and real ale!

As something different we had a special trip on the Leighton Buzzard narrow gauge railway, in fact one Mensan used to be a volunteer fireman with the railway and for people who didn't need to head home early there was an impromptu behind the scenes tour.

One of our number had a special birthday (I'll spare his blushes and not say which one) but this too was worked into the alphabet and a very good evening was had in one of the Café Rouge restaurants, where 16 Mensans dressed in red to help the birthday boy paint the town red !!

What can I say? At times it seemed like I would never reach the end of the alphabet but of course I did. Some events were more popular than others and sometimes if it wasn't for the hardcore we knew would come along we'd have been sitting by ourselves and I'm grateful to all the Mensans who came along and helped everyone to have a good time! The prize draw at the end saw Les Draper Eames winning the "Hungry Horse" vouchers, Andy Eames winning the cinema tickets and David Onyett taking home a bottle of bubbly (OK Asti not champers!) I'm stepping down as LocSec for the area now but I'd encourage all members to support their LocSec and try things out. You never know you might just enjoy yourselves!

By Tara Morgan

Regional News

No sooner had Tara resigned as Luton LocSec than she found a willing volunteer to take over the role. Welcome aboard to Les Draper Eames! Les did hold the LocSec post in the 1980s before raising a family and those who attended Tara's events will already know her as an active participant. If you live in the LU postcode area, why not contact Les on [Phone Number] or [Email] to offer suggestions or support for future events?

We are also seeking Local Secretaries to take over the Lincoln and Hemel Hempstead areas. So if you live or work in the LN & PE20-25 or HP1-4 & WD postcodes and fancy the challenge please do get in touch with me. The role can involve as much or as little time and effort as you wish but is a case of the more you put into Mensa the more you get out.

This month sees our next project to help a good cause. In this issue you will find a listing of all blood donor sessions taking place in our region 11th-17th June 2007. Any member donating blood that week who then sends a stamped addressed envelope and proof of their blood donation to me by 20th July [address on back page] will receive a small thank you gift from East Midlands Mensa. In addition each name will be entered into a draw to win one of the new Mensa ambigram T-shirts - in blood red colour, of course! For further information on donating blood please phone 0845-7711-711 or see www.blood.co.uk. This event links in nicely with World Blood Donor Day on 14th June.

Following the success of our last regional 'open day' in 2005, we are repeating the event on Saturday 21st July. The venue will once again be the Holiday Inn at Crick, which is right off the M1 at junction 18 in Northamptonshire and also the centre of our region. The event will start at 2.00 pm with a short 'icebreaker' to get everyone mingling. This will be followed by four talks/activity workshops. The first three will be a craft session by Merry Metcalf, magic secrets by Richard Dimmock and cartooning skills by Peter Bellingham. Some of these members gave an insight into their specialist subject at the Diamond celebrations. They were so popular I have had requests to repeat them so if you missed these events in Nottingham here's your chance now! The final talk will be given by Matthew Collins. He is not a Mensa member but you may recall the name from his appearances on TVs The Travel Show where he was set a challenge each week. Matthew is now an accomplished writer and speaker and will be performing at this year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival. He approached me to ask whether we had a Mensa audience on whom he could trial his new humorous talk called "How to pimp your kids and shop for free at Waitrose!". So do come along, have a laugh and be one of his 'guinea-pigs'! A three course hot buffet meal will be served at 7.30 pm followed by an evening of socialising and optional games. The cost to attend a whole afternoon and evening of entertainment and food is a bargain £15 per adult or £7.50 per child under 12 as the event is being subsidised from regional funds. Book your place with Maxine on [Phone Number] or [Email] by 14th July please. Non-member family and friends of all ages are most welcome.

Maxine Bates

Regional Officer

Events and Meetings

Derby Doings

On Wed 20th Jun at 7:30pm - Pub - Derby

Due to current work pressures and the fact DerbyLocSec Bernie has just taken over a new role as parish councillor he will be taking a back seat at Mensa activities for a while. In the meantime Paul Henchliffe has volunteered to host the "3rd Wednesday" event at the Standing Order on Irongate. Join him and the regular faces from 7.30 pm in the no smoking area beyond the bar for good value food and/or drinks. Contact Paul on [Phone Number] or [Email] for any info.

Paul Henchliffe

Lincoln

On Sun 3rd Jun at 8:15pm - Pub Quiz

Join us for chat and a fun, free quiz in real ale pub, Tap and Spile, on Motherby Lane. For more details/encouragement please contact Jacquie on [Phone Number].

Jacquie Harrison

Notts News

On Tue 5th Jun at 8:00pm - 5OTM

Find us to the left of the bar in the Vat & Fiddle pub on Queensbridge Road for our monthly evening of drinking (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), chatting and laughter. New faces always welcome.

On Sat 9th Jun at 5:00pm - Pamper Party - Langley Mill

I'm hosting a "Pamper Party" at my home in Langley Mill. A qualified beautician will be offering manicures, pedicures, massages, facials and much more. See www.uglyduckling-beauty.co.uk for full list of treatments & deduct 10% for group discount. Please book with me by 2nd so that the beautician can allow enough time and bring enough products on the day. Or just come and soak in the hot tub and socialise. Afterwards I'll provide some food, drink and music. Really one for the girls though brave men are welcome!

On Wed 13th Jun at 7:00pm - Chicks & Flicks

Meet for our "Chicks & Flicks" event inside the doors to the Cornerhouse in the city centre. Contact Paul on [Phone Number] or [Email] to find out film choices and cast your vote. We'll buy tickets for a later screening before dining at Nando's chicken restaurant on Forman Street. You are welcome to join us for just the meal if you wish.

On Thu 21st Jun at 8:30pm - Ballroom Dancing

A small group of us regularly attend ballroom dancing lessons at Memorial Hall in Chilwell from 8.30-9.30 pm on Thursdays. Come and join us on 21st and learn the basic steps of waltz, quickstep, tango, jive and cha cha cha with qualified instructors from the Bromage Webster School of Dance. The cost is £3.50 per person with the option of a drink in a nearby hostelry afterwards

On Tue 26th Jun at 7:30pm - Postcode Pubcrawl

Our "Postcode Pubcrawl" event travels to NG32 where Grantham member Mel Blake has suggested food and drinks in Tapps Bar at Belton Woods (De Vere) Hotel followed by a summer evening stroll around their extensive grounds. Contact me on [Phone Number] or [Email] for directions.

Ciao for now!

Maxine Bates

Luton & Dunstable

On Sat 9th Jun at 7:30pm - Eating Meeting

Hi, I am Les Draper Eames, the latest person to be arm-twisted into being Luton area LocSec. We will be meeting at the Brache Beefeater, Osbourne Rd off Gypsy Lane, Luton LU1 3HJ @ 7.30pm to eat about 8.30pm. This is my first advertised meeting as the new Luton LocSec and I would like to thank Tara Morgan for all the hard work she has put in to keeping LU Mensa viable and running. Please come along for a beer first and a curry at the lovely, already smoke free, Red Chilli, website www.theredchillirestaurant.com or meet us there. Look for the Mblem, If I have one by then....

Please be aware that this is a very popular restaurant and requires booking at the earliest date, so I really need to hear from you quickly if you would like book your place to come along and meet the Luton Mensa set, who come from hundreds of miles around, to enjoy our glorious town, lol. (oh ok, 30 mins drives from St Albans, Leighton Buzzard, Houghton Regis and us in Luton, centre of the Universe itself to name a few...)(CORRECTION- Liverpool is centre of the Universe, Luton close, lol....) Please note that you can park right outside Brache and restuarent, so you don't have to worry about walking far, unless you are Dave :o))))))

I am hoping to drag a few more M's and FeM's from the woodwork - there must be more than 10 people in half an hour's drive?! SURELY you are not afraid? SURELY you are totally loopy, coz the rest of us are! Come along and enjoy daft conversation, bizarre and profound reminiscences with a beer and great curry along the way.

The only thing stipulated is that I am not responsible for you having a good time, you are! Come and learn to banter with the best. I didn't mention that everyone must wear RED as it's the first meeting at the Red Chilli. I haven't put that in the mag, so we will see who is smart/dumb enough to read the Empress and got down this far :o))))

Numbers will be needed by Sat 2nd latest please, as it gets very busy, but please contact me if you are late in case I can fit you in, or just come along for the beer. My email is [Email] Tel: [Phone Number] or Andy's mobile, but only if you get lost on the night is [Phone Number]. Please come and prove that there are some brains in Luton outside of our house! New members always welcome.

Les Draper Eames

Leicestershire

On Mon 18th Jun at 7:45pm - Bowling

Come along to Hollywood Bowl at the Meridian Leisure Park in Leicester on Monday 18th June. Meeting inside the main entrance at 7.45pm. Easy access from the town centre and the M1. Ample car parking is available. Price - £8 for 2 games. Please book by Thursday 7th June so I can reserve the lanes. Email [Email] or phone [Phone Number].

Rebecca Mawby

Northants NNotes

On Sat 9th Jun at 11:45am - Tour of Sulgrave Manor House - south-west Northants

We're off to Sulgrave Manor, in south-west Northants, near to the Oxfordshire border. The house dates back to about 1500 and at one time was owned by the Washington family that was later to emigrate to America and give the US its first president. Admission is £6.25 adult and £3 child (5-16 years).

Afterwards we shall stroll down the road to The Star Inn for lunch. A bar menu of sandwiches and snacks is available, with prices from £4.50. For the real ale afficianados, the pub serves Hook Norton beers.

This is a pay as you go event so advance booking is not required. However it would be nice to know how many people to expect, so if you intend to go can you please let me know. Meet in the Manor's car park at 11.45am - look out for the Mblem in a car window to find me.

On Thu 14th Jun at 9:00pm - 2ThOTM

At the time of writing the Dusty Fox is still closed so for another month our 2nd Thursday meeting is at The Rover, Weedon Road, Northampton. Look for us in the seating area to the far left of the main bar (or maybe outside if it's nice).

On Thu 28th Jun at 8:00pm - Roadshow - Wellingborough

We're paying a return visit to The Locomotive in Finedon Road, Wellingborough for the Roadshow. A nice friendly pub, but you're not allowed to play with the train set or try to open the sarcophagus!

To find us at both venues look for the Mensa mag on one of the tables. Details from [Phone Number] or [Email].

Ian Sargent

MK & Bedford

On Sat 2nd Jun at 12:00pm - Lunch

Join us at Nando's at the front of Xscape for lunch. Meet just outside at 12.00 so we can try and get a big table. Contact Jo for directions/encouragement on [Email], or [Phone Number] / [Phone Number].

On Thu 7th Jun at 8:00pm - FTh: Movable Feast

Join us at Gospoda Polish restaurant in St Cuthbert's Street, Bedford. See http://www2.bedfordtoday.co.uk/features/theword/pages/page20.PDF for address and menu details. Booking essential by Tuesday 5th. Contact details as above.

On Wed 20th Jun at 7:30pm - 3WOTM

Join us at Starbucks coffee shop in Borders bookshop by the Hockey Stadium (Portway / Grafton St roundabout). Not sure yet exactly where we'll be but the coffee shop isn't too big and we'll have the Mblem on display, so we shouldn't be hard to find. Contact details as above.

Jo Sidebottom

Hertfordshire

On Sun 10th Jun at 12:30pm - Pub lunch and vintage bus day - Hertford

Meet for lunch in Hertford at 12.30pm (location to be confirmed). This is the annual Hertford, Harlow and Stevenage Country Bus Rally, when vintage ex-London Transport and London Country buses operate during the day on many routes in the area. Take the opportunity to remember bus travel as it was, in some of England's loveliest countryside. No doubt we'll have a ride (and a pint) or two and photograph a few buses! Hertford is served by trains from Kings Cross to Hertford North or from Liverpool Street to Hertford East, plus Green Line bus service 724 (Harlow - Hertford - Hatfield - St Albans - Watford - Heathrow Airport). Ring Richard on [Phone Number] for further details and encouragement.

On Wed 13&27 Jun at 8:30pm - Pub Quiz

We're now doing the quiz at the Millstream, Cambridge Road, Hitchin (about five minutes' walk from the station); please call Helen on [Phone Number] / [Phone Number] or Richard on [Phone Number] for details and encouragement. Food and good beer are available! The quiz starts around 8.30 but we're usually there from 7.30 for a meal.

On Sun 17th Jun at 12:30pm - Lunch at Moggerhanger House

Join us for lunch at the tearoom at Moggerhanger House (on the A603 west of Sandy) for lunch. After lunch, options to visit Moggerhanger House or the nearby Shuttleworth aircraft museum and Swiss Garden, before going to the concert in the evening if you wish. Ring Helen on [Phone Number] / [Phone Number] for details and encouragement.

Richard Allen

(Please note that there's no First Thursday meeting this month as I'm on holiday. Also, as above, we've decided the Millstream quiz will be a regular fortnightly venue.)

On Sun 17th Jun at 6:00pm - Open-air concert - Biggleswade

Open-air concert at Shuttleworth Swiss Garden. Enjoy an evening of popular classics in this delightful setting, off the B658 west of Biggleswade and south of Sandy. Venue is open from 6 pm and there is an optional but complimentary guided tour of the Garden at 6.30. Tickets cost £12.50 - ring 01767 627933 to book. Bring a picnic etc - note that it is an outdoor event so bring suitable clothing. Ring Helen on [Phone Number] or Richard on [Phone Number] for further encouragement. More details at http://www.shuttleworth.org/events.asp

On Tue 19th Jun at 7:30pm - Pub Meal and Board Games - Great Offley

This month we're at the Green Man, (just off the A505 between Hitchin and Luton) for our Pub meal and board games meeting. Bring some board games along as well! Bus 101 (Luton - Hitchin - Stevenage) serves Great Offley. Ring Helen on [Phone Number] / [Phone Number] for details and encouragement.

On Fri 29th Jun at 8:00pm - LFOTM - Hertingfordbury

Join us in the lounge of the White Horse, Hertingfordbury to chill out at the end of the month - look for the mag and Mblem. Ring Gwen on [Phone Number] or Richard on [Phone Number] for details and encouragement. The hotel is about 20 minutes' walk from Hertford North station. Meals are available.

Richard Allen/Gwen Jones

On Every Friday at Evening - Cinema - Stevenage

I go to the cinema (Cineworld) in Stevenage Leisure Park (16 screen) on Friday evenings; if you wish to join me please call me on [Phone Number] or [Phone Number]. There is usually plenty of choice! Stevenage Leisure Centre is next to Stevenage station, which is also served by local bus services.

Helen Rees

High Wycombe & Amersham

On Thu 14th Jun at 8:00pm - Indian Meal

Join me at the Bombay Palace restaurant in Crendon Street for excellent Indian cuisine in comfortable surroundings. Vegetarian options available. Call Alistair on [Phone Number] to reserve your place.

On Fri 29th Jun at 5:00pm - Tribute Concert

Join us at West Wycombe Park for a Tribute Concert to Abba, Elton John and Queen plus firework display. Gates open 5.00pm Concert starts 7.30 pm. Tickets cost £26 from 0500 66 1812 or book online at www.classicfantastic.co.uk. Venue signposted from J4 M40 or call Alistair for encouragement on [Phone Number].

Two different events in June. By popular request we return to the Bombay Palace to enjoy the finest Indian cuisine reasonably priced and close to car parks and the town centre.

At the end of the month something a little bit different, a splendid Tribute concert in the grounds of West Wycombe Park. Last year I arranged a visit to the concert which was enjoyed by all those attending. This year I am drawing it to the attention of the wider Mensa membership and hope to see you there. If you come along and can't find us on the night my mobile number is [Phone Number].

Alistair Blackett

Berkhamsted

On Wed 27th Jun at 7:45pm - LWOTM

We meet at the White Horse Pub, Bourne End, on the Hemel Hempstead Road (the old A 41) half way between Hemel and Berkhamsted. Do come and drink, eat or just join us for a quiet chat. All members welcome. If it is fine we will be in the garden. Any ideas for other meetings also welcome. Just come and explain, we would love to hear from you. The lovely weather we are having may suggest some outings?

Jenny Habib

Think Tank

This month's think tank is courtesy of Merry Metcalf.

What law would you introduce if you could?
The abolition of all cars above 599cc..
... and which would you repeal?
The Road Traffic Act - specifically the bit about speed cameras
Which charity do you most like to support?
The one that begins at home
Name a place local to you that you'd recommend people visit.
George's fish and chip shop in Belper! :o)
Whose picture would you like to see on a bank note?
Wallace & Gromit
What device would you like to see invented?
A very cheap 'universal' remote control for farm gates (I live on the other side of one) :o)
How would you reform parliament?
Make it "women only" :o)
Who would you like to see in the Big Brother house?
The BMC and the CE
How can we save the planet?
Go back 400 years and stay there
Name an event at which the British could win an Olympic gold medal.
Sheep racing (as introduced at the Diamond) :o)
What song would make a good national anthem for England?
Land of Hope and Glory
What would you like see entered into room 101?
Tony and Cherie Blair
Suggest a new question for this page.
What type of Mensa event would absolutely guarantee your attendance?

Please contribute your own Think Tank submission at http://www.nfstimpson.co.uk/empress/ThinkTank.ashx

[Address]

To Empress:

Dear Readers,

This is the year when not only does my mortgage finish but I end the process of gradually retiring from work and I will get not only my state pension but also my work pension!!!

My house is up for sale and before I settle into a new home somewhere (I'm not sure where yet - but hopefully nearer the sea than Stevenage) I plan to - no not go on a trek across Nepal , and unfortunately no not even fly to the Antipodes - but to spend 2-3 months travelling around our own country in my trusty Punto, before I settle down to DVD's and embroidery.

I want to go first up to Yorkshire and then across to North Wales taking in Fountains Abbey and the Brontes Haworth on the way - what, I hear you cry, who have lived in Northumberland, Cumbria and Durham, about the delights of those counties - well I can't do everything and I have visited them in the last 2-3 years - for those of you who favour Scotland and Ireland I have been to Scotland and enjoyed the magnificent scenery a lot and I was in Ireland last year - and heard a lot about the Galway races and the Gaelic games - and oh that rivalry between Cork and Kerry!!!

From North Wales I will work my way down that coastline to South Wales, the Gower peninsular which I have never visited looks heavenly, and from there who knows. I will be mainly staying in friendly B&B's, in fact I am in search of the perfect B&B, booking as I go along at the helpful TIC's (helpful as long as they are not in a city) and I wonder if anyone fancies meeting up with me for a drink and perhaps a meal on my travels, or indeed would like to put me up for a night ( yes, I will contact the Sight office as well). I'm wondering whether to complete my trip by taking part in Maxine Bates' (who seems to have unending energy) Spiritual Weekend, it would seem to fit in nicely.

I'm also considering asking people to guess how many miles I do, and send a contribution to the work of Home Start - a UK organisation who send volunteers(of which I'm one) into homes of families where at least one of the children is under 5.

If you care to contact me my phone no. until the end of July (as long as the house sells ) is [Phone Number] and my e-mail address is [Email].

Helen Rees

20 Questions (No. 69)

The answers to the April quiz were theobroma cacao, Nestle-Rowntree, San Francisco, currency, Ghana, banana leaf, Henri, Johnny Depp, Sheffield, 34 C, Roald Dahl, Pennsylvania, Matterhorn, theobromine, 1911, 16%, 2, Alton Towers, Coronation Street and Kit Kat. The chocoholics were Chris Impey of Tring, Pamela Covey of Woburn, Geraldine Ellis of Nottingham, Elaine Yates of Watford, Roger Plant of Nottingham, Maggie Petch of Northampton, Mike Hadley of Lutterworth, Richard Pecout of Hertfordshire and Mariam Pereira of Leicester with the prize of a chocolate-filled bunny going to Maggie.

This month we have cryptic clues of Derbyshire place names. A map may prove useful! Send your answers to '20 Questions (No. 69)', [Address] to arrive by 20th June for your chance to win a prize.

1. Sounds like a victorious agitation

2. Small but not short boulder

3. A sculptor's crucifix

4. Edge of a sacred heath

5. Cook just right

6. To wave or to tire

7. Nothing replaces you in the shuttle

8. A bend in the trench

9. Labour's value

10. Security for a rug

11. Remaining burnt offerings

12. Heavyweight partner to Ollie's pal

13. Equine mother's feed

14. Dark flowing water

15. Empty route

16. Useless pasture

17. Motor serenades 2240 lbs

18. Wealthy receives an additional hundred

19. Lair near to

20. One may mourn