Cafe Zest is a modern coffee shop that looks out to the Eden centre.
Peter, Jackie, Alistair, Mark, Neil and Helen enjoy a drink in Cafe Zest in High Wycombe's new Eden centre after visiting the "Through the Lens" exhibition at Wycombe Museum

Regional News

This month I'm going to write about our regional web site at www.mensa.org.uk/eastmids. At our regional committee meeting earlier in the year praise was heaped onto Nick Stimpson, our web master, for maintaining such a good and easy to navigate site. For those of you who have never visited the site, here are just some of the items you will find on there:

  • map of the East Midlands Mensa region
  • list of East Midlands Mensa officers
  • up-to-date calendar of our social events
  • list of our regular pub venues with link to a map
  • full details and booking forms for regional events
  • the current copy of the Empress newsletter in colour
  • reviews and photos of events
  • a form to participate in the 'think tank' feature in Empress
  • details of the latest charity we are supporting
  • frequently asked questions regarding Mensa
  • how to join the East Midlands Mensa email groups
  • adverts for Mensans who run their own businesses

The latter shows the diversity of members with businesses ranging from fancy dress hire to machine tooling repairs to helicopter flying lessons to graphic illustration to family history research to mobility scooter loan! If you would like to be included please drop Nick an email at [Email] with details. Reviews and photos from any Mensa events you have attended are welcome as is feedback, whether positive or negative.

The web site includes a positions vacant page and whilst all areas in our region have a Local Secretary some would like to resign from the role - due to family circumstances or work commitments not lack of enthusiasm! - if another volunteer stepped forward. So if you live in the DE, HP1-4 & WD, LE, LN & PE20-25 postcodes and fancy getting a little more involved I'd love to hear from you. Please contact me on 01773-715330 or maxine@maruba-events.com. Being a LocSec can be great fun and doesn't require vast amounts of your time.

Don't forget to visit us at www.mensa.org.uk/eastmids.....

Maxine Bates

Regional Officer

Space Science Day included lectures and lab sessions.
Space Science Day at Leicester University and the National Space Centre proved to be a popular and successful event.

Events and Meetings

photo of Maxine Bates

Notts News

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

As usual we will be meeting at the Vat & Fiddle from 8.00 pm on Thursday 5th. The pub is diagonally opposite Nottingham railway station, close to Broad Marsh bus station and has free parking outside on Queensbridge Road or Traffic Street. Look for the yellow Mblem to left of the bar or phone me in advance for directions. Females especially welcome.

On Wed 11th Jun at 7:00pm - Chicks and Flicks

Paul is once again hosting our "Chicks & Flicks" event on Wednesday 11th. We meet at 7.00 pm inside the doors to the Cornerhouse then go to dine at Nando's chicken restaurant (vegetarian options also available) before watching a film at Cineworld. Get a Cornerhouse card by registering at www.cornerhouse.tv to get a free refillable drink at Nando's and many other offers. An idea of numbers and film preferences is welcome. Contact Paul on [Phone Number] or [Email] .

On Sat 21st Jun at 2:00pm - Pamper Party

Following the success of my last "Pamper Party" I'm holding another during the afternoon of Saturday 21st. Come along to my home in Langley Mill where qualified beautician Emily will give us treatments at very reasonable prices. Choose from manicures, pedicures, facials, massages, waxing and more. For full list, prices and to book phone or email me by 18th latest. You are welcome to stay into the evening for drinks and nibbles and a girls night in as well as to use the hot tub in the garden!

On Tue 24th Jun at 7:30pm - Postcode Pubcrawl

This month we have our penultimate "Postcode Pubcrawl" event. At 7.30 pm on Tuesday 24th we are having a free private tour of the Alcazar micro-brewery on Church Street in Old Basford. After the tour we'll move to the adjacent Fox & Crown pub where there's the option to enjoy one of their authentic Thai meals from £5.95 or just a drink. Please let me know if you would like to do the tour and/or meal by 20th June. As usual non-member guests are welcome.

Ciao for now!

Maxine Bates

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

photo of Jacquie Harrison

Lively Lincs

On Sun 21st Jun at 7:00pm - Thai meal

Another year is spinning round and as I write this in chilly April, I'm hoping it will warm-up by my birthday in June. It would be great if you could join us for my birthday weekend meal at 7pm on 21st June. I love Thai food but don't mind if we go to the one near the Odeon or the one on Bailgate - I'm intentionally not using their names as they are similar and can cause confusion. To express a preference and/or say you hope to come please ring me by 11th. All very welcome.

Jacquie Harrison

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

Derby Diary

On Mon 16th Jun at 7:00pm - At Home

CANCELLED. Why not come and join our friendly group for a monthly "At Home" down in Golden Valley, just outside Ripley. Enjoy putting the world to rights over cheesy whirls and home made biscuits. Please call to let us know you're coming so we can arrange parking with the neighbours - directions available from me, contact as above.

On Wed 18th Jun at 7:30pm - 3WOTM

Join us for good value food and/or drinks at the Standing Order on Irongate. A Wetherspoon venue. Look for yellow Mblem on long table in area beyond bar. Phone or email me for directions and/or encouragement.

Merry Metcalf

photo of Sue Watford

Leicestershire Letter

On Sat 28th Jun at 7:30pm - Meal

We're over in the Leicester area again this month, and eating at the Oadby Owl, 7 Glen Road, Oadby. It is very close to the A6, so should be convenient for most people. As I don't know this area very well, the pub was picked out virtually at random, although I have spoken to someone about it since, and they thought it would be fine. If anyone would like to recommend any pubs round and about that area, please do. Please let me know if you'd like to come, so I have some idea of numbers when booking.

Sue Watford

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

photo of Ian Sargent

Northants NNotes

On Thu 5th Jun at 9:00pm - FThOTM Pub

Our first Thursday meeting is on 5th June and you will find us in our regular location: the bar of the Fox & Hounds at Harlestone. Head out north from Northampton on the A428 to find the village and look for a Mensa mag on one of the tables to find us, on or after 9pm.

On Thu 19th Jun at 8:00pm - Roadshow

On Thursday 19th June the Roadshow meeting goes back to a pub that we last visited about 9 months ago: The White Swan, Main Street, Holcot. As you come in through the main entrance take the door on the right into the bar. As ever, a copy of the Mensa mag will point out the guilty parties for you. We'll be there from 8pm.

Ian Sargent

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

photo of Jo Sidebottom

Mensans in MK & Bedford

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

First Thursday is at our now regular venue of Jury's Inn on Midsummer Boulevard, on 5th June, from 8pm. Look out for the Mblem in either the foyer or the bar - most likely the foyer as it's quieter. Parking is a bit busy around Jury's and The Hub, so we usually try and get in across the road and then walk through the underpass.

On Sun 8th Jun at 2:00pm - Country Park Walk

Please join us this Sunday afternoon (8th June) for a walk in Emberton Country Park. It's on the A509 (road between Olney and Milton Keynes) just south of Olney. We will meet in the main car park - looking at the map there appears to be a Visitor Centre/loos/tea shop building on the far side of it, so let's meet there. Entry is free for walkers, but parking is £3.50. Dogs are welcome as long as kept under control Sadly, the tea room is closed at the moment but maybe we can adjourn to a nearby hostelry if we want some refreshment afterwards.

Contact me on [Phone Number] / [Phone Number] if you need directions/encouragement in advance, or to let me know you are coming so we can look out for you.

On Wed 18th Jun at 8:00pm - 3WOTM

Our Third Wednesday meeting at the Old Beams in Shenley Lodge is on 18th June. If you're definitely planning to come, please let me know as it will help us to grab the right sized table, but don't let that put you off deciding on the spur of the moment - you'll still be welcome. See www.mcmullens.co.uk for location and menu details.

Jo Sidebottom

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

The Empress editors are always looking for contributions from the East Midlands membership for inclusion on these pages. If you have a short story, a piece of poetry, a tale to tell, or an interesting opinion that you would like to share, please send it to Nick or Rosie as per the addresses on left hand column on page 8.

Alternatively, you can contribute by completing the Think tank questionnaire at http://www.mensa.org.uk/eastmids

.

Luton & Dunstable

On Sat 21st Jun at 7:30pm - Pub Meal

Please join us at 7:30pm the The Plough Inn, Tebworth Road, Wingfield, near Toddington, Bedfordshire LU7 9QH for a lovely pub meal and friendly banter. Meet in the garden, weather permitting, and look for Mblem or mag. We will be eating about 8.30pm. Please email or ring me as above, or only on the night, if you get lost on: [Phone Number]. Please let me know by Thursday 19th at latest, please so I can confirm numbers. All welcome, it's ok to bring a friend if you are shy. I do need to know ASAP though, please.

Les Draper Eames

photo of Richard Allen

Herts Happenings

On Sun 1st Jun at 12 noon - Annual vintage bus day

Yes, it's that day in the year, when you have the opportunity to ride on vintage buses in and around Hertford, Stevenage and Hitchin. There is a published timetable and services operate on various routes throughout the day. Meet for a pub lunch to decide what to do! Contact me for further details.

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

Our regular first Thursday of the month meeting is 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. Sadly, there are now very few evening buses in the area.

Richard Allen

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

On Fri 27th Jun at 8:00pm - LFOTM

Join us once again at our new venue, the Prince of Wales, Hertingfordbury, to unwind at the end of the month. Food and an interesting range of beer available and interesting and stimulating conversation guaranteed! Look for the Mag/Mblem. Hertingfordbury is about 20 minutes' walk from Hertford North station.

Richard Allen/Gwen Jones

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

photo of Val Hinkins

Mid Bucks

On Sun 8th Jun at 11:00am - Chiltern walk

Join us on Sunday 8th June for a 5-6 mile walk from Little Kimble to Princes Risborough. If the weather is kind there will be good views across the Vale of Aylesbury, red kites soaring, Cymbeline's Castle, National Trust woodland, old rifle butts and the Whiteleaf chalk cross to see. Some steep climbs - boots advisable.

Meet at Little Kimble station at 11:00 am. If coming by car, park at Princes Risborough station car park and catch the 10:50 train which runs along the single track branch line towards Aylesbury. The train will take 7 minutes, the walk back rather longer! I will join the train as it passes through High Wycombe at 10:38 and sit near the front, so feel free to come and join me.

We will find some food in Princes Risborough after the walk.

Val Hinkins

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

photo of Jenny Habib

Berkhamsted

On Wed 25th Jun at 7:45pm - Pub

Please note the change of venue. We will meet back at the Eat Fish Restaurant on Berkhamsted High Street, in the upper room. Car parking is in the public car park behind Tesco off the High Street opposite to Eat Fish. Do come and drink, eat or just join us for a chat. All members welcome, young members can join us in the restaurant, so come if you can.

Jenny Habib

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospital Charitable Trust

Emma lives in Northampton and works in Milton Keynes. Pictured here with her boyfriend Richard.

Hello!

My name is Emma McMillan and I am trying to raise money for the Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospital Charitable Trust. I know this is a little long winded, but I would really appreciate you taking the time to read my story.

I was born with a heart condition called aortic stenosis, which is a narrowing of the aorta valve. I have had to have lots of heart surgery to try and correct the problem and everyone at the Brompton hospital have always been fantastic to me and very supportive of my parents. I was diagnosed with the problem when I was about 3 days old and my parents were told that I wouldn't ever be able to even ride a bike. So when I was 10, with the help of my parents, I organised a sponsored bike ride with my friends and managed to raise about £2,000 for them.

Fifteen years and another heart operation later I thought it was about time that I raised a bit more and I have roped my boyfriend Richard in to help me! I have now had a heart valve transplant and can happily say that I no longer have aortic stenosis...I have corrected aortic stenosis! This last operation was the most daunting for my parents as they were told at the time it was probably about a 50% chance that I would survive and to be honest I don't think they could have coped without the support of the wonderful staff at the Brompton. I was the lucky one who had no idea of the statistics! Ironically this procedure is now widely used and is, in a word, common!

The team at the Brompton have enabled me to grow up and live a normal and happy life and I am eternally grateful to them for that. At some point in my life I will have to have another procedure. I am not sure when or what this will be as there are so many advances in medicine, but one thing I can say is that I am not worried about it. I have the utmost faith and trust in everyone at the Brompton and I know they will do everything they can to help me, so right now I want to help them.

We have decided to run the Great Eastern Run in Peterborough on 12 October 2008, which is a half marathon, so 13.1 miles. I began training about 2 months ago and felt like I was dying after 3 minutes of gentle jogging, so I need as much support as I can get! I have set up an account at www.justgiving.com/emmamcmillan and would appreciate any support you can give me.

If you know anyone else who would be willing to help I would be very grateful if you could send them the link to the web address. If everyone passed the link on to everyone in their address book and encouraged their friends to do the same we could help make a huge difference to a lot of people.

We would both like to thank you for your support. It is appreciated much more then you could ever imagine.

Thank you,

Emma and Richard

Think Tank

This month's think tank is courtesy of MK and Bedford LocSec, and joint organiser of the MK Weekend, Jo Sidebottom.

What law would you introduce if you could?
A ban on the public use of Walkmans, or Ipods, or whatever they're called now, unless used with completely soundproofed headphones.
... and which would you repeal?
The 70mph limit on motorways.
Which charity do you most like to support?
RSPCA
Name a place local to you that you'd recommend people visit
Milton Keynes - there's a lot more to it than concrete cows and barren-looking grid roads.
Whose picture would you like to see on a bank note?
Stephen Fry - I think he's lovely.
What device would you like to see invented?
I always thought it would be useful to be able to programme a VCR remotely by phone, but I suppose there is alternatively technology around these days that fulfils the same need.
Who would you like to see in the Big Brother house?
I don't know - I don't watch it.
How would you reform parliament?
I'd introduce proportional representation. It has its disadvantages but I think the injection of some minority parties would be good for parliament.
How can we save the planet?
I'm still not convinced it needs saving.
Name an event at which the British could win an Olympic gold medal.
Knocking success.
What song would make a good national anthem for England?
Rose of England, by Ivor Novello.
Who would you like see entered into room 101?
Baby on Board signs - especially variants such as "Grandchild on Board", "Princess on Board", "Naughty Person on Board" .....
Suggest a new question for this page.
What would be your fantasy concert line-up?
Chris, Jack, Constantina, Alan, Sue and Becky partake of T@3 at Dobbie's Garden Centre in Fenny Stratford.

20 Questions (No. 81)

The answers to the Northamptonshire place names quiz set by Margaret Hawkins were Towcester, Farthinghoe, Brixworth, Aynho, Scaldwell, Rushden, Great Addington & Little Addington, Bugbrooke, Pattishall, Blisworth, Deanshanger, Thenford, Crick, Daventry, Milton Malsor, Yelvertoft, Aldwincle, Spratton, Bozeat and Stowe Nine Churches. Entries were received from Janie Comber of Milton Keynes, Elaine Clifton of Northampton, Jenny Ellway of Milton Keynes, Alan Fursdon of Milton Keynes, Sean Boon of Northampton, Pamela Covey of Woburn, Diana Morris of Kettering, Linda Ward of Nottingham and Marianne Croll of Derby and the winner was Sean.

This month's quiz has a crime and punishment theme. Please send your answers to '20 Questions (No. 81)', [Address], to arrive by 20th June stating whether you would prefer to win a £10 Leisure Voucher (valid at a huge variety of hotels, restaurants, shops and tourist attractions) or £10 National Book Token (valid at major book stores).

1. Jack The Ripper operated in which city?

2. For what crime was Al Capone imprisoned?

3. Which island prison closed in March 1963?

4. Who was the first Kray twin to die?

5. Who did James Earl Ray assassinate?

6. Which is more harmful to the victim - the stocks or the pillory?

7. Which murderer lived at 25 Cromwell Street?

8. In what year was the last hanging carried out in Britain?

9. Which footballer was accused of stealing Miss World's passport and fur coat?

10. The statue on the Old Bailey holds a pair of scales and which other item?

11. In which US state was Charles Manson born?

12. What was the real name of the Yorkshire Ripper?

13. On which London street did Sweeney Todd operate?

14. Who was the last woman to be hanged in Britain?

15. Which drinks company was involved in a fraud scandal in the 1980s?

16. Who killed John F Kennedy?

17. What were the surnames of Bonnie and Clyde?

18. 10 Rillington Place was the home of which serial killer?

19. In which year was the Criminal Justice Act introduced and flogging abolished?

20. What was the first name of Dr Crippen?