Regional News
In April you should have received a mailing from the Mensa office seeking volunteers to fill the vacant roles in our region. Thank you to everyone who responded. We will hopefully have some new names to welcome to our team shortly. Don't forget you don't have to be an officer to host one of our social events though. Any member is welcome to do that. So if you fancy inviting others to something you would be doing anyway, why not give it a go? You may end up making lifelong friends. Just contact either myself or your nearest Local Secretary for help and support.
Our next regional event is now arranged and tickets on sale. It takes place at Twycross Zoo on Sunday 15th June and is a joint event with West Midlands Mensa. Tickets cost a bargain £10 per person. Normal admission is £16.95 but our event also includes a talk on the history of the zoo, an 'enrichment' making workshop (using paper, rope, wood, etc, to make toys that are then filled with fruit, seeds and insects to feed the animals) and guided tour of the zoo to deliver this 'enrichment' and watch the animals interacting with them. There will be juice and biscuits on arrival but please bring your own picnic lunch that we can enjoy sitting together on the lawns surrounding the animal enclosures. (There's a café in case of rainy weather!) The day runs from 10.00am to 6.00pm and is especially suitable for families. Note that there are a maximum of 60 places and, based on our previous event at Twycross Zoo in 2009, are expected to sell out quickly. Please book online at www.mensa.org.uk or contact Diane Salter at the Mensa office during opening hours.
Maxine Bates
Regional Officer
Events and Meetings
Notts News
On Thu 5th Jun at 8:00pm - 5OTM
Our monthly get together at the Vat & Fiddle pub falls on Thursday 5th and we'll be there from 8.00pm. The pub is on Queensbridge Road adjacent to the Castle Rock brewery and near Nottingham railway station. We can usually be found in the Golding's Room to the left of the bar but a yellow Mblem will be displayed on the table wherever we are. Why not join us?
On Thu 12th Jun at 7:30pm - Natter & Nosh
The following week on Thursday 12th we'll be at the Beekeeper pub/restaurant on Meadow Lane in Beeston for our 'natter & nosh' event where - as the name suggests - there will be a variety of conversation accompanied by food from 7.30pm. Though you are welcome to come along later for just a drink. We have the first long table beyond the end of the bar and, whilst in the family dining area, we usually have the place to ourselves as the evening progresses. There's no need to book but feel free to phone if needing further directions or information.
On Tue 24th Jun at 7:30pm - Eating meeting
For our 'eating meeting' at 7.30pm on Tuesday 24th we're going to the Spice Barn on Tollerton Lane near Tollerton airfield. This Indian restaurant is under new management and gets good reviews so let's go and check it out for ourselves. At the time of writing they have a deal costing £11.95 for a starter and main course with either rice or naan bread. Please let me know by 20th latest if you'd like to join us so a table can be reserved.
Advance Notice: Following the success of our supper and quiz night at Strelley Hall in March we're returning on Sunday 6th July to host our own afternoon tea event in their Georgian Panelled Room and Morning Room. The cost is £10 per person and includes a selection of teas, sandwiches, homemade cakes, scones with jam and clotted cream served by our waitresses accompanied by background classical music with optional croquet on the lawn. Proceeds will go to Cancer Research UK. Please contact me to purchase tickets.
Ciao for now!
Maxine Bates
Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details
Derby Diary
On Wed 18th Jun at 7:30pm - 3WOTM
Just two events this month and they both fall in the same week. Join us on the '3rd Wednesday' which is 18th at the Standing Order on Irongate in the city centre. Come along any time from 7.30pm until 10.30ish for a meal or just a drink. Look for a yellow Mblem on one of the long tables in the rear section of this Wetherspoon pub. There are usually 12-16 of us and new faces are always welcome.
On Fri 20th Jun at 7:00pm - Barbecue
On Friday 20th Susan and Mark once again invite us to their home in Ilkeston to chill out and chat and enjoy the (nearly) longest day. There will be a barbecue so please bring something to cook or just come along for a drink and to socialise. BYOB. Please phone [Phone Number] for directions and to say you'll be there.
Maxine Bates
Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details
Lively Lincs
On Sat 14th Jun at 12:05pm - Pub discussion
Hopefully, we will be in the garden of the Adam and Eve for our regular pub discussion, look for the Mblem, Sat 14 June 12.05 onwards. This month it's about 'Do we justify our emotional feelings with logic?'
On Tue 24th Jun at 7:00pm - Eating meeting
For the midweek evening eating, on Tue 24 June, 7pm, we are going to venture into new territory by trying out Carluccio's at the West Parade end of the High Street.
All welcome, but do please book with me by 21st, thanks.
On Sun 29th Jun at 3:00pm - Teatime thinking
Our geographical tours over tea and cakes at my house near Alford on Sun 29 June 3-5pm will be to the ex-Soviet Baltic States. All welcome to come and add to the knowledge base or just listen.
Further details, directions, encouragement, etc: [Email]
Christine Howells
Contact [Email] for details
Mensans In MK and Bedford
On Sat 7th Jun at 3:00pm - T@3
It's time for another visit to Dobbie's Garden Centre in Fenny Stratford for T@3. Please join us for tea, cakes and chat at 3pm on Saturday 7th June. Look for us somewhere in the restaurant, with the yellow Mblem on display.
On Mon 16th Jun at 8:30pm - 3MoORM
On Monday 16th we continue our Third Monday of the Month quiz meetings at The Barge at Woolstone. We meet from 8.30pm in time for the quiz at 9pm - cost is £1 per person. See www.vintageinn.co.uk/thebargewoolstone/ for location and, if possible, let me know beforehand if you're coming so we can reserve a big enough table.
On Sun 29th Jun at 10:00am - Breakfast meeting
Please join us on Sunday 29th for breakfast at Carluccio's in the Centre:MK - probably in one of the red booths just in front of the restaurant. We meet from 10.00 am. Come for a full breakfast, a snack, or just a drink - look for the Mblem on a table.
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 in June. 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
Herts Happenings
On Thu 5th Jun at 8:15pm - FThOTM
As ever, 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.
On Sun 8th Jun at All day - Vintage bus running day
It's the annual Hertford vintage bus running day when all manner of vintage buses converge on the town's bus station for one day to recreate the routes and ambience of the 1950s. If you've not been, it's a day out with a difference with free rides on various vintage buses through the delightful Hertfordshire countryside - and a pub stop or two on the way! Call me on [Phone Number] for further details and encouragement and to arrange meeting points. Further details can also be found on http://freespace.virgin.net/ian.smith/buses/CBR/CBR01.htm.
Richard Allen
Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details
On Fri 27th Jun at 8:00pm - LFOTM
Richard's on holiday so I'm standing in! As ever, we'll be 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.
Anne Sparrowhawk
Contact [Phone Number] / [Mobile Number] for details
More or Leicester
On Sun 22nd Jun at 11:00pm - Space Centre visit
It would have been nice if this could have been arranged on May 4th, however on Sunday 22nd June, the Space Centre in Leicester are holding a Star Wars weekend featuring many of the characters and Actors from the film series. You can meet "Darth Vader" (Dave Prowse), "General Veers" (Julian Glover) and many others. Sadly, Luke Skywalker won't be there, so you can't clarify that whole "kissing your sister" thing (shudder!). If there's enough early interest, I'll try to arrange a group visit and save some money, otherwise we can meet up in the café inside at 11:00am. Please let me know you're coming, however, so I know I'm supposed to be looking out for you!
On Thu 26th Jun at 8:00pm - 4ThOTM
The following Thursday, space permitting (see what I did there, eh? eh?), we'll be heading off to the usual waterhole at The Craddock Arms (to be renamed the Mos Eisley Cantina for this month only!). If the weather's nice, we might be in the garden, so look out for the magazine or yellow mBlem.
I look forward to seeing you soon!
Paul Coulson
Berkhamsted
On Thu 26th Jun at 7:45pm - LThOTM
Our regular meeting at The Old Mill, London Rd Berkhamsted.
Have a drink or eat with us. Pub does good meals.
New members, partners etc. always welcome. Free Car Parking.
Contact Jenny at [Email].
Jenny Habib
Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details
Mid Bucks
On Fri 6th Jun at 10:30am - Coffee & Chat
Meet me from 10:30am onwards on Friday 6th June for a morning of informal conversation and coffee. This month we are returning to The Cape in Station Road, Beaconsfield, HP9 1NN. This South African themed restaurant is a short walk from the railway station. It offers a full cooked breakfast as well as many varieties of coffee, tea, cakes and biscuits. For further information on the venue see http://www.thecapeonline.com
On Sun 29th Jun at 2:00pm - Open Gardens & Jordans Meeting House
On Sunday 29th June a number of gardens in Seer Green are opening to raise money for the Air Ambulance Trust. We will meet at the Parish Hall at 2:00pm to buy tickets and plan our route around the village, returning there later for tea and cake. Tickets cost £5.00 and cars may be parked at the village recreation ground. Allow 10 minutes or so to walk from either the car park or Seer Green & Jordans railway station to the Hall.
After the gardens we will move on to Jordans Quaker Meeting House. Originally built in 1688 after the 1687 Declaration of Indulgence extended freedom of worship to non-conformists for the first time, it has been in continuous use ever since. Perhaps best known as the burial place of William Penn, founder of Pennsylvania, and his family, it suffered a bad fire in 2005. The roof was destroyed, but the historic meeting room escaped almost unscathed. It has now been fully restored.
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
Editorial
Next month. we will be treated to a guest editor, Lucy Bengry of Duston, Northamptonshire. Please make sure copy is sent to her in plenty of time to give her the best chance to put together the July issue. You can send it to lucyglewis@hotmail.com or you can contact her on 07899-986-435. and please copy Rosie in. Nick and Rosie, your regular editors, would like to extend their warmest welcome to Lucy."
Treasure Hunt and Strelley Hall
On Saturday 29th March we held a day of events with two in Derby city centre and one on the outskirts of Nottingham attracting a total of 75 Mensans and guests at one or more of the activities.
The day started at 10.30am in glorious sunshine outside Derby Cathedral where participants were handed treasure trails and set off in small groups to solve the clues whilst discovering lesser known parts of the city and historic facts. Around two hours and two miles later the treasure traillers met up in Wetherspoons for lunch whilst marking took place and prizes were awarded - and some celebratory cocktails consumed!
Each participant received a certificate and bag of sweets with Isabel from Ireland and Heather and Tony from Matlock also receiving some Mensa goodies. Some people then departed or went for a stroll around Derby, whilst myself and some of my fundraising team returned to my house and finished preparing salads and baked potato toppings before heading to Strelley Hall.
The owners had very generously allowed us free hire of this lovely venue to host a charity supper and quiz night and we filled the room to capacity and could have sold even more tickets had we had enough space! Having fed everyone baked potatoes with a choice of hot and cold toppings with salad the gateaux trolley was then pushed into the function room and desserts were served.
Before the quiz commenced Richard, one of the owners of Strelley Hall, kindly gave us a short talk about the history of the property and a guided tour of their Castle Room. I don't think anyone really minded the evening ending later than planned as they got this bonus mini talk and tour.
But then it was time to don thinking caps to answer 100 questions (10 rounds of 10 different subjects) plus a picture round. After marking we had two teams with the highest score who went head to head in a tie-breaker question. The eventual winners of the wicker hamper filled with wines, coffees, teas, chocolates and biscuits were Nigel and Jenny.
Many thanks to my team who helped with set up, serving, selling raffle tickets, washing up and clear up and to everyone who came and made it such an enjoyable evening. I'm delighted to say the event raised £736 for Cancer Research UK
Maxine Bates
'20 Questions (No. 153)'
The answers to the April quiz were 2nd June 1953, Scafell Pike, James Callaghan, swing low sweet chariot, Osborne, Duke Of Wellington, 1215, King Harold, Marylebone Cricket Club, Napoleon Boneparte, 4-2, Anne Boleyn, Buckingham Palace, James I, D Day Commemorations, Jerusalem, the Danes, fruit and vegetables, his crown and William Penn. Thanks to Patrick Cavanagh of Ireland, Andy Cole of Cleethorpes, Pamela Covey of Woburn, Helene Parry of Brentford, Roger Plant of Nottingham, Chris Impey of Tring and Carol Wheatcroft of Derby for entering. There were lots of correct entries and Helene was drawn at random and wins the £10 book token.
Thanks to Les Hurst for compiling this month's competition. All the answers contain 'ort'. Send your entries to arrive by 20th June either by post to '20 Questions (No. 153)', [Address], or by email to [Email] but either way please include your name and address so we know where to send the prize if you win.
1. The Spanish National Assembly
2. Welsh seaside location of the Seabank Hotel
3. Result of slaying the Jabberwock according to Lewis Carroll
4. The soft and loud musical instrument
5. Depreciate tangible assets in a company's books
6. A rich multi-layered cake from Germanic territories
7. The dead hand of perpetual ownership
8. Leader of the British Expeditionary Force in1939
9. The layers of the brain responsible for language, attention and memory
10. Only Otter's child had a first name in "Wind In The Willows"
11. The first couturier to label his dresses
12. To attack quickly from a sally port
13. The largest artery in the human body
14. Head of the RAF during World War II
15. Newspaper that announced a World War II bomber found on the moon
16. The icy source of comets and meteors
17. Robert Altman's film of Raymond Carver's short stories
18. The largest city on Portugal's River Douro
19. Site of Edward VIII's abdication
20. If criminal law is criminal, civil law is what?