Is she sleeping? I'll leave that thought to you. Maybe she is dreaming. That could also be true. Or is her mind thinking, of all sorts of things? If she is being creative, we will hear that, when she plays her strings. All music can be beautiful, I am sure you can tell. But, creativity from our minds is beautiful as well. So be creative, as much as you can. You don't have to be a girl though. You could be a man!
Our LocSecs
Lively Lincs heads our branch, And Notts News follows too. More or Leicester keep us going, While Mensans in MK & Bedford follow through. Finally Hertfordshire Happenings And Mid Bucks, take their stand, But Derby, Northampton and Luton, Are missing it seems, from our merry band. Our LocSec's do so well, Giving us the news. And of course they do put in, some of your different views. Three are missing, I am sure you know. We desperately need them, To keep up the show. Sorry but; Although I am careful with my drawings, And they can take several weeks. Unfortunately I have managed, to deplete all The colour from your cheeks. That aside and I do hear what you say. My pencils can only draw In several shades of grey!
Regional News
As I write I've just returned from a conference for Regional Officers and Regional Newsletter Editors. As part of the event there was the annual newsletter awards ceremony and I'm delighted to say Empress won an award. Many thanks to Maria and Lucy for all their hard work. At the conference we discussed Mensa's 70th anniversary celebrations and a host of events are planned around the country for the actual anniversary on Saturday 1st October. Keep your eye on Mensa Magazine and/or the Mensa website as details are finalised. But to whet your appetite there should be a bus tour visiting several Scottish cities, a weekend of events in Thurles in Ireland, a balloon release on Dartmoor, a 'wayzgoose' in Otley, a talk in Cardiff, a Young Mensa event in the North West, a lunch with birthday cake in Ipswich and much more.
Hopefully something to suit all tastes and budgets. Not forgetting our very own 1940s evening at the Radisson Blu Hotel near East Midlands Airport. Ticket sales are going well but there is plenty of capacity so do come along if you can for this special event! Don't forget our day out at Wicksteed Park in Kettering, Northants, on Sunday 26th June. Although aimed at families this event is suitable for all ages. See www.wicksteedpark.org for full details of all the rides and attractions and book your place at www.mensa.org.uk but do it by 10th June to get our discounted rate of £14. Guests under 0.9m tall are free so a great value day out for everyone. All welcome!
As always, you can call me on [Phone Number] or [Email] if you would like to get in touch.
Maxine Bates
Regional Officer
Editorial
Hi I am Richard, your editor for this month. This month's magazine is entitled 'June Creativity- Picture This'. The front cover has one of my pencil drawings and it truly is a pencil drawing, because I only use HB pencils, about seven all told, they are all HB, but different types.
I have been drawing for about 55 years, but almost continuously for the past year. Having fully recovered from a very nasty illness two years ago, I have used my drawings as 'therapy'.
When I finish one drawing, I start the next. My challenge is always to get it right the first time. I do try to keep up with technology and was asked to add a 'selfie' Sorry, but I really thought a self-portrait drawing of myself would do!
We invite you all to dig deep as I believe 'creativity is in all of us, but sometimes lies dormant for years. This was certainly the case with my drawings and my poetry. They both lay dormant for about 30 years, as I was busy with other things. My nasty illness sparked them both off as 'relaxation and recuperation techniques'.
I have around 50 drawings now, but about 40 of those I created in the last year. Show us your creations. Send them in to us, digital photos or scans, and we will try to include them in Empress as and when we can.
Richard Dimmock
Events and Meetings
More or Leicester
On Mon 27th Jun at 8:00pm - 4MoTM
Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to The Stamford we go! A change of venue at last as we head to the village of Groby just off the A50. Details, directions & info are on their website at http://www.stamfordarms.co.uk/. The food there is excellent if you want to eat. You never know, I might even treat us all to a pizza! More information, give me a call on [Phone Number] or [Email]
Paul Coulson
Lively Lincs
On Tue 28th Jun at 7:00pm - Eating meeting
We're going to try The Carpenters Arms at Fiskerton, east of Lincoln. All welcome but please book with me by 21st if possible, thanks.
On Sat 11th Jun at 12:05pm - Pub discussion
Meet at 'Adam and Eve' on Lindum Hill, hopefully, in the garden, otherwise in the alcove, look for MBlem. Discussion on a topical issue starts at around 12.30, food available, free parking.
Christine Howells
Contact [Email] for details
Notts News
On Sun 5th Jun at 8.00pm - 5OTM
Round off the weekend with a drink and chat at the Vat & Fiddle (near Nottingham railway station) from 8.00pm until late on Sunday 5th. We should be in the Goldings Room to left of bar and a yellow Mblem will be on display. New faces always welcome!
On Thu 9th Jun at 7.30pm - Natter & nosh
We've tried the new look Beekeeper for a couple of months and decided to change venue for our future "natter & nosh" events. From next month (Thursday 9th June) we will be meeting at The Cadland, 342 High Road, Chilwell, Nottingham, NG9 5EG. We have a table reserved from 7.30pm so join us for food and/or drink. Menu at www.emberinns.co.uk Please note the June event is already advertised in Mensa Magazine and Empress at the Beekeeper but we will be at The Cadland. (The Beekeeper had not reserved our table as promised and there was nearly an hour wait for food last time, hence our move!)
On Sun 12th Jun at 12.30pm - Events afternoon
On Sunday 12th Sally is very kindly putting together an afternoon of events in Newark. We'll start with lunch at 12.30pm, likely to be at Zizzi's Italian restaurant but dependant on preferences of those expressing interest. At 2.00pm we'll meet at the castle entrance to begin a free guided walk around the historic features of the town. This will end at the National Civil War Museum where there will be opportunity to visit this newly opened attraction. Please contact Sally on [Phone Number] or [Email] for further info and to give an idea of numbers. You are welcome to join in any or all of these events.
Ciao for now!
Maxine Bates
Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details
Hertfordshire Happenings
On Thu 2nd Jun at 8:00pm - FThOTM
As ever, we are at the Three Magnets, Leys Avenue, Letchworth. Thursday nights are curry nights but other food (standard Wetherspoons' fare) is available as well. Leys Avenue is the main shopping street in Letchworth and is a few minutes' walk from the station (Kings Cross to Cambridge line). Call me on [Phone Number] for more details and encouragement.
On Fri 24th Jun at 8:00pm - LFOTM
Last Friday is at our usual venue of the Cowper Arms, Digswell. The pub is next to Welwyn North station and is served by stopping trains from Kings Cross to Peterborough and Cambridge. Good food, beer and conversation guaranteed! Please call me on [Phone Number] for more details and encouragement.
Richard Allen
Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details
Mensans in MK & Bedford
On Sat 11th Jun at 3:00pm - T@3
Our first event in June is T@3 on Saturday 11th in the restaurant at Dobbie's Garden Centre in Fenny Stratford. We'll be there from 3pm, probably in the conservatory area at the back.
On Mon 20th Jun at 8:30pm - 3WOTM & Quiz
Our monthly visit to the Barge in Woolstone for the quiz is on Monday 20th. Meet from 8.30 - the quiz starts at 9pm and costs £1 per person. Please let me know beforehand if you're coming so I can bag a large enough table.
On Sun 26th Jun at 10:00am - Sunday breakfast
Sunday breakfast will be on 26th 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. 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 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
Mid Bucks
On Fri 17th Jun at 10:30am - Morning coffee
Meet me from 10:30am onwards on Friday 17th June for a morning of informal conversation, chocolate and coffee. This month we are returning to Rumsey's Chocolaterie at 26 High Street, Wendover, HP22 6EA. For further information on the venue see http://www.rumseys.co.uk/ourshops/ wendover This cafe is located in the Old Bank Building and offers a breakfast menu as well as croissants, pastries and cakes. Their luxury chocolates are also available to buy.
On Sun 19th Jun at 2:30pm - Antarctic exhibition
What is it like to live and work in Antarctica? A free family exhibition "Antarctica - Sub-Zero Science" at the Natural History Museum on Akeman Street in Tring promises to answer this question, with handson activities for children (and grown-ups), wildlife and scientific research. Meet at the museum entrance, HP23 6AP, at 2:30pm on Sunday 19th June. If you would like to join me for an Italian lunch beforehand please contact me by Sunday 12th June to confirm which restaurant we are going to and where to meet. For further details contact me as above
On Tue 21st Jun at 8:00pm - Indoor Games
Enthusiastic games players Dave and Alison invite you to their home in Flackwell Heath for an evening of indoor games - possibilities available include Boggle, Enigma, Sherlock Holmes, Mid-Life Crisis and many others. Arrive for an 8pm start on Tuesday 21st June. Space is limited, so please contact Dave on [Email] or [Phone Number] for directions and to let him know which games you would like to play.
Val Hinkins
Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details
Derby Diary
On Wed 15th Jun at 7.30pm - 3WOTM
Our "3rd Wednesday" get together falls as early as it can this month. Join us from 7.30pm on Wednesday 15th at the Standing Order (Wetherspoon) on Irongate in the city centre for food and/or drink. Just look for a yellow Mblem on a long table in the rear section of the pub. All welcome!
On Tue 28th Jun at 7.30pm - Eating Meeting
At 7.30pm on Tuesday 28th we're going to Yardley's on Bridge Street in Belper to dine on Spanish tapas Their midweek deal is 3 dishes for £12 or 6 dishes for £20. We can mix and match to sample a variety of food for a reasonable price. You may even want to try their white sangria! Please reserve your place with Maxine by 21st as this is a popular venue.
Maxine Bates
Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details
"Congratulations to Northants members Emma and Richard Dutton on the birth of their daughter Holly Louise on 5th April 2016."
Member Profile
Thanks for reading!
Answers to 20 Questions (No. 175)
The answers to the April competition were deciduous, secateurs, monkey puzzle, pistil, giant sequoia redwood, yellow, blue, lotus, roses, George Montagu Don, nectar, rafflesia, thistle, Lancelot, snapdragon, Augusta, topiary, Vita Sackville West, dibber and Turkey.
Congratulations to the winner Una Adams of Corby.
Regional Editors Conference
Maria receives the Highly Commended Service Award. It was a brilliant Regional Editors Conference (my first, and certainly not my last). The crowning glory for Maria was Empress scooping this award.
Well done Maria and Lucy, and well done all LocSec's too. It was your superb coverage of events and news that helped to secure this award for Empress. Maria did say it was a 'bursting' issue in April, but it never burst, it held right to the end.Well done all!
Richard