Regional News

As you have probably noticed in recent issues of Empress we've included a member profile. Thanks to our latest Editors Maria and Lucy for getting the ball rolling with that. It's always nice to find out more about our members and from previous feedback surveys it's a feature a lot of you enjoy. So we invite you to submit your own member profile by simply answering a few simple questions such as where you live, when and why you joined Mensa, whether you have attended any of our social events or belong to any Special Interest Groups, what's your occupation, if you have any hobbies and interests, in fact anything else you'd like to share with readers. A photo would be excellent too. Please feel free to introduce yourself and send contributions at any time to either myself or one of the Editors (Maria, Lucy or Nick). All our details can be found in Empress..

Hopefully by the time you read this we will be enjoying some glorious sunshine so suggestions for outdoor events are most welcome and your Local Secretary would be delighted to hear from you.

Maxine Bates

Regional Officer

Events and Meetings

Mensans In MK and Bedford

On Sat 6th Jun at 3:00pm - T@3

T@3 has come round again, so we'll meet in the restaurant at Dobbie's Garden Centre in Fenny Stratford on Saturday 6th. We'll probably in the conservatory area at the back, from 3pm - there'll be a yellow Mblem on the table. Contact me at [Email], or [Phone Number] / [Phone Number] for directions and/or encouragement.

On Mon 15th Jun at 8:30pm - 3MOTM

Our monthly visit to the Barge in Woolstone for the quiz is on Monday 15th. Meet from 8.30 - the quiz starts at 9pm and costs £1 per person. Look out for the Mblem on a table. Please let me know if you plan to come so I can bag a large enough table.

On Sun 28th Jun at 10:00am - Sunday breakfast

Sunday breakfast will be on 28th June at 10am at Carluccio's in the Centre:MK. You will probably find us in one of the red booths just in front of the restaurant - look for the Mblem on a table. Come for a full breakfast, a snack, or just a drink.

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 May. 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

Notts News

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

Start the weekend with a drink and chat at the Vat & Fiddle from 8.00pm on Friday 5th. Although city centre there is free parking outside on Queensbridge Road or Traffic Street and it's also convenient for the railway station or Broad Marsh bus station. New faces always welcome. You can usually find us on the first table in the Goldings Room but a yellow Mblem will be on display

On Thu 11th Jun at 7:30pm - Natter & nosh

Kevin will be hosting this month's "natter & nosh" event at the Beekeeper in Beeston from 7.30pm on Thursday 11th. Join him and others for a meal or just a drink. We reserve the first long table beyond the end of the bar. This is a Hungry Horse venue so a good value night out. Contact Kev on [Phone Number] if you need directions or just turn up on the night.

On Sun 28th Jun at 11:00am - Walk

Would anyone fancy a walk on Sunday 28th? I suggest walking off at 11.00am but I'm not advertising a meeting point in advance as that will jinx the weather and make it rain! Please contact me if interested as the route can then be tailored to those wanting to come. There are various options between 4 and 7 miles around the Wollaton/Bramcote/Strelley area and I'm sure a pub lunch or afternoon tea stop can be included.

On Tue 30th Jun at 7:30pm - Eating meeting

Our "eating meeting" this month returns to the excellent Italian restaurant on Church Street in Ruddington. Their menu, including various special offers, can be found at"www.ginos-ruddington.com. Please reserve your place with me by 26th latest to ensure we get a large enough table.

Ciao for now!

Maxine Bates

Lively Lincs

On Sat 13th Jun at 12:00pm - Pub discussion

Hopefully, by now we will be meeting in the garden of the 'Adam and Eve' on Lindum Hill, Lincoln for our monthly pub discussion. If the weather is inclement, then, we'll probably be inside in our usual alcove. Either way, look for the Mblem. Free car parking, food available, do join us for as long or short as you fancy. We will be there from 12ish until 2-3 hours later. This month's topic is 'No vaccination, no welfare benefits?' I heard about this Australian proposal and was unimpressed, for me autonomy is king, if you agree or would like to put an opposing view, either way that would be great, or feel free just to come and listen, do join us.

On Thu 25th Jun at 7:00pm - Eating meeting

Must be summer, time for the annual foray to the Pyewipe Inn for our midweek eating meeting, 7pm, Thursday 25th June. All welcome, but do please book with me by 20th if possible, thanks.

Christine Howells

Derby Diary

On Wed 17th Jun at 7:30pm - 3WOTM

On Wednesday 17th you'll find a fairly large group of us at the Standing Order on Irongate. Come along any time from 7.30pm for food and/or drink. We have one of the long tables in the low ceiling area at the rear of the pub. Just look for a yellow Mblem on display. We've seen several new faces over the last few months and more are always welcome

On Fri 26th Jun at 7:00pm - BBQ

Susan and Mark once again kindly invite us to their home in Ilkeston from 7.00pm on Friday 26th for an evening of socialising and a BBQ. Please bring something to put on the BBQ and whatever you wish to drink. Phone [Phone Number] for directions and to say you'll be there. .

Maxine Bates

Luton

On Tue 2nd Jun at 7:30pm - FTuOTM

At the 'Brache' Beefeater, Osborne Road, opposite the Vauxhall Design Building from 7.00pm. There is parking on site. Come along for a drink and a chat, or just the chat. Food is available at the bar or in the restaurant from the same menu. New faces will be welcome to join our group. Contact me for directions or more details.

Bob Ford

On Thu 4th Jun at 8:15pm - FThoTM

NOTE TEMPORARY CHANGE OF VENUE Note that our regular haunt at the Millstream in Hitchin is closed for refurb so we're at the Cowper Arms, Digswell, which is by Welwyn North railway station, which is served by stopping trains from Kings Cross to Cambridge and Peterborough. Good food and good beer both available! Call me on [Phone Number] for more details and encouragement.

On Sun 7th Jun at All day - Vintage bus running day

It's the annual vintage bus running day in and around Hertford where you get the chance to travel by various old buses through the delightful Herts countryside, including a pub stop or two if you want! I plan to be out and about all day from about 10 am; if you wish to join me for all or part of the day, please call me on [Phone Number] for further details and encouragement.

On Fri 12th Jun at 7:00pm - Hitchin beer festival

It's Hitchin beer festival; the venue is the rugby club on Old Hale Way, Hitchin SG5 1XL (about ten minutes' walk from the station). A good range of beers will be available. Call me on [Phone Number] for further details and encouragement.

On Fri 26th Jun at 8:00pm - LFOTM

As always, we're at the Cowper Arms, Digswell, which is by Welwyn North railway station, which is served by stopping trains from Kings Cross to Cambridge and Peterborough. Good food and good beer both available! Call me on [Phone Number] for more details and encouragement.

Richard Allen

More or Leicester

On Tue 2nd Jun at 7:30am - World Buffet meal

Don't you just hate it when you can't decide where to go for dinner? Chinese? Indian? Mexican?? Well come along on the 2nd, and you don't have to as we head to the Red Hot World Buffet on High Street where you can have a bit of everything on your plate! Yorkshire Puds & Pizza? You got it! Lamb Rogan Josh Fajhitas? They're yours! Meet in the bar no later than 7:30 (as it's quite a large place, and you might be wandering round for ages looking for us!)

On Thu 25th Jun at 8:00pm - 4ThOTM

Fourth Thursday of the Month as the clock strikes twenty, and we're at The Craddock for some Victory Ale. We'll be sitting close by the telescreen, watching for more news of Oceana's victories under the double-plus-good protection of Big Brother. It's also George Orwell's birthday as well.....!

Paul Coulson

Mid Bucks

On Fri 5th Jun at 10:30am - Conversation and coffee

Meet me from 10:30am onwards on Friday 5th June for a morning of informal conversation and coffee. This month we are trying another new venue, Costa in the recently opened Next superstore adjacent to Junction 4 of the M40, HP11 1UA. For further information on the venue see"http://www.next.co.uk/stores/ There is plenty of free parking on site or at the Park & Ride car park further along Crest Road. The café is located upstairs, if possible I will occupy a table by the windows so we can admire the view.

On Sun 21th Jun at 10:20pm - Countryside walk

On Sunday 21st June join me for a 7 mile circular walk in the Chiltern Hills. We will start from Wendover railway station, HP22 6BN at around 10:20am after the train from Aylesbury arrives. The walk uses the Ridgeway path and also passes close to the Wendover Woods visitor centre where we may pause for a well-earned tea break. There are no stiles on our route, but some hills. We will find somewhere to eat a late lunch when we get back to Wendover.

Let me know if you would like to join us for lunch without doing the walk first and we can arrange to meet.

For further details or encouragement contact me on [Phone Number] or e-mail me at [Email]

Val Hinkins

Mobile browsing

Do you use a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet to browse the web? I must admit that's very much the exception rather than the rule for me, but that puts me firmly into the old-fashioned category. Apparently more than half of all web browsing is now done using mobile devices.

That presents the web developer with some challenges. Mobile phones have small screens and modern smartphones have high resolutions that can leave text in a microscopic font size. This was the case for the East Midlands Mensa web site.

So last year, I set about revising the site to make it mobile friendly, the results of which you can see in the image on the left. For the events pages for example, the left menu is removed, and the font configured to a hopefully readable size, so you will be able to check out what's happening in the region while you're out and about.

If you would like to try it out, any feedback on either the mobile or desktop variation of the site are always most welcome. The site is at http://eastmidsmensa.org.uk

Nick Stimpson

Web Officer

Introduce Yourself

Studio photo of Lucy
1. When did you join Mensa?
I joined in the summer of 2013, so I'm a relatively recent member. I remember asking a teacher at school about joining and being gently discouraged. I think they were worried I'd be disappointed! Still, better late than never.
2. Why did you join?
I'd been wondering for a few years whether I'd pass the test and I finally decided to give it a try. I didn't know very much about Mensa at that stage so it was a fairly impulsive decision.
3. How did you feel when you got the test results? And your family/friends?
I was really surprised and I think I felt quite smug about it for a few days. My parents and sisters weren't surprised at all, according to them I've always been smart-arse. You can always trust your family to be honest, at least. Friends and colleagues had a range of reactions from disbelief and scorn to being impressed or proud. People mostly don't seem to know how to react so I usually don't mention it anymore.
4. What does Mensa mean to you?
That's easy, Mensa is a way to meet people who I know I've already got something in common with. Having a high IQ can sometimes make you feel like you're slightly out of step with people in general, it's fantastic to just be one of a crowd and really fit in.
5. What are you Gifted & Talented at?
I seem to learn things much faster than most people. I can usually turn my hand to most things and do them to a reasonable level fairly quickly. Maintaining interest in them long enough to get really good...that's a different story. I'm far too fickle!
6. Do you belong to any SIGs? If so, which one(s)?
I belong to a few but I tend to dip in and out of them. I most often read Craft SIG, I get lots of ideas and inspiration from there for the many on-going and incomplete craft projects I'm working on.
7. Have you attended any events? If so, what did you think of them?
I have been to a couple of events, most recently the Barn Dance - you might have read my review in the May edition of Empress? Mensa event are always lively with plenty of people to meet and chat to - and usually a few drinks!
8. Where do you live?
For the last 18 months, I've lived in Northampton but I'm fairly nomadic and have lived in various places around the West Midlands and South West, plus Seoul for a year or so.
9. What's your occupation?
I'm a marketing consultant, specialising in financial services. I manage a team of people who help a large financial services client to market their products and services effectively. It's very varied, fast paced and challenging. I love it!
10. Any hobbies or interests?
Yes, all of them! Depending on my mood, the weather, my finances, what I've seen on TV that I fancy trying...I love to try new things. Most recently I've made a quilt and a skirt and had a go at wake boarding. Variety is most definitely the spice of life!
11. Plus anything else you'd like to share with readers.
If you've read this far and found any of this remotely interesting, please submit your own profile. You now know all about Me and Maria, it's only fair that you should give us the chance to read about you!

'20 Questions (No. 165)'

Quiz 163 Answers and Winners

The royal answers from the April competition were dachshund, Alfred The Great, Queen Victoria, Battle Of Flodden Field, Edward II, William IV, King Henry VIII's waist, Harold Godwinson or Harold II, he designed the present Queen's wedding dress, Edward I, Britannia, George VI, Richard II, Adelaide, Westminster Abbey, Nell Gwynn, Juan Carlos, Mary I, George I and Thailand. Entries were received from Ashnaa Sasikaran of Woburn, Rita Beeson of Kempston, Chris Impey of Tring, Alex Foster of Derby, Una Adams of Corby, Michael Warren of Derby, Pamela Covey of Woburn, Roger Lord of Aylesbury, Roger Plant of Nottingham and Patrick Cavanagh of Ireland. Rita wins the £10 book token this time.

Thanks again to Mark Sloan for compiling this month's quiz on television. Send your answers to arrive by 20th June by post to '20 Questions (No. 165)', 80 Milnhay Road, Langley Mill, Nottingham, NG16 4AW or by email to [Email] but don't forget to include your name and address so we know where to send the prize if you win!

1. Thornhill Community Academy is featured in which Channel 4 TV program?

2. In Gavin and Stacey what is Gavin's surname?

3. Which science-themed sitcom features Sheldon Cooper?

4. Which actor took over the role of Minder from Dennis Waterman?

5. Nicholas Lyndhurst plays Ria and Ben's son in which sitcom?

6. Alan and Celia's late-blooming courtship was entitled 'Last Tango' in which British city?

7. What character did Caroline Quentin play in Men Behaving Badly?

8. Which British television series featured characters such as Hunter, Jet, Hawk and Amazon?

9. What lateral-thinking quiz show is presented by Victoria Coren Mitchell?

10. In which US state was the Waltons set?

11. What is Barry's last name in Auf Wiedersehen Pet?

12. Who played the Cockney spiv Private Walker in Dad's Army and died in 1973 at the age of 44?

13. What is Dog the Bounty Hunter's family name?

14. Which 2010 TV reality show winner lost a high-profile legal battle with Lord Alan Sugar?

15. In which year was EastEnders first broadcast?

16. Which television station is on Freeview channel seven?

17. Who is the host of the TV show Q.I.?

18. Two cricketers have won Strictly Come Dancing, Darren Gough is one, who is the other?

19. Alex Haley's exploration of slavery was adapted into which 12-hour TV movie?

20. Helen Flanagan made her name as a regular in which TV program?