Dennis Underwood meets Tami Cowden and Steve Fey

From US to EM

 

Regional News

Firstly I have to thank Alistair Blackett for his time and effort as High Wycombe LocSec over the past nine years. Due to personal circumstances Alistair resigned from the role at the end of February but before he departed he gently armtwisted Val Hinkins into taking over as LocSec! The regulars at Alistair's events will already know Val. Alistair was presented with a token of appreciation at our regional event on 23rd February.

Our next big regional event is the Milton Keynes Weekend (23rd-26th May). Jo and I are delighted that we've received so many positive comments about the programme and bookings are flowing in steadily. The powerboating event sold out within days though at the time of writing there is still space available on all other events. If you wish to attend the weekend but are travelling alone and would like to find a same sex sharer to reduce accommodation costs, please get in touch with either Jo or myself and we'll do our best to help. Come and spend the late May bank holiday enjoying a range of unusual activities in the land of concrete cows and roundabouts! For full details see www.mensa.org.uk/eastmids and click on the Milton Keynes Weekend tab.

As usual this month we have an array of regular eating and drinking events as well as concerts, walks and more. Please remember your Local Secretary is a volunteer and organises events for love not money! Do support them if you can by attending their event, suggesting ideas for future events or even hosting one yourself. It's not difficult nor time consuming and can be much fun. Contact your LocSec or myself on [Phone Number] or [Email] if you need any encouragement to get involved.

Maxine Bates

Regional Officer

Events and Meetings

photo of Jo Sidebottom

Mensans in MK & Bedford

Just our two regular meetings this month:

On Thu 6th Mar at 8.00pm - FThOTM

Join us at 8.00pm on First Thursday (6th March) for a couple of hours of friendly and informal chat at Jurys Inn, Midsummer Boulevard. We'll have the Mblem on display and we will probably be in the foyer, as it's often quieter than the bar, but if you can't see us there then try the bar anyway (it's on the extreme left as you come in the front entrance). Basic bar snacks are available, but it's not gourmet, and it's at hotel prices!

This is a change from the original announcement stating the location and time as the Starbucks coffee shop in Borders bookshop at 7.00pm due to the early closing time of that venue.

On Wed 19th Mar at 8.00pm - 3WOTM

On 19th March at 8.00pm we have our new Third Wednesday meeting at the Old Beams in Shenley Lodge.

Our first meeting at the Old Beams was very successful. The pub wasn't too crowded so we had a good choice of tables; the food was pronounced excellent by all those who sampled it, and we were absolutely the last people to leave (apart from the staff) so I think we can safely say that everyone enjoyed themselves. 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 but it'll be more like our old pub meetings where you can eat or not as you choose. Not sure where we'll be, so look out for the Mblem.

Jo Sidebottom

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

Luton & Dunstable

On Sat 15th Mar at 7.30pm - 3SaOTM

On Saturday 15th March we'll be meeting at 7.30pm in the bar of the Fancott Arms, Toddington, Beds, LU5 6HT, for an evening of laughter and banter. We'll be eating about 8.30pm. Please ring or email, as above, to book your place ASAP or by Wednesday 12th March latest. Mobile [Phone Number] on the night. All welcome, please contact me for encouragement. Please look for yellow Mblem or mag on the table.

The meetings this year so far have been on the Third Saturdays rather than the Second, for a variety of reasons. It will be the same again in April, on the 19th. Apologies for any inconvenience, if you have kept dates clear and missed for any reason. I'll review it for the May meeting, please forward any preferences to me, thanks. Any new faces out there? Please don't be shy!

Les Draper Eames

photo of Val Hinkins

Mid Bucks

On Sat 29th Mar at 3.00pm - "Through the Lens"

Meet at Wycombe Museum at 3.00pm on Saturday 29th March to see the temporary exhibition "Through the Lens" - photographs of people and places around Wycombe. From there we can walk into town to inspect the new Eden Centre, due to open in March, and try out one of the many promised new eateries. Call me for further details and encouragement. Perhaps choose a few more to try later in the year. Please bring your ideas for other events you would like to see in 2008.

Further details of the exhibition are at wycombe.gov.uk/museum. The museum is a short walk from the railway station and has its own small car park. Call me for further details and encouragement or to let me know you are coming so I can look out for you.

Val Hinkins

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

photo of Sue Watford

Leicestershire

On Sat 29th Mar at 7.30pm - Pub Meet

I obviously have the name of the Quorn pub where we were supposed to be meeting in March wrong, as apparently there is no Fox & Hounds in Quorn! Hopefully, those who may have come to Quorn will come to Barrow on Soar instead: we'll be meeting on Saturday 29th March, at The Hunting Lodge around 7.30pm for a meal. Having been there before, we know it gets crowded and I'll need to book a week or so in advance, so could you please let me know before then if you'd like to come. We're looking forward to meeting a host of new faces from that part of the world!

Sue Watford

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

photo of Richard Allen

Hertfordshire Happenings

On Thu 6th Mar at 8.15pm - FThOTM

We'll have our regular First Thursday of the month meeting at the Millstream, Cambridge Road, Hitchin, on 6th March at 8.15pm. Good food and good beer both available! The pub is about ten minutes' walk from the railway station. Sadly, there are now very few evening buses in the area.

On Fri 28 Mar at 8.00pm - LFOTM

On Friday 28 March at 8.00pm join us once again at our new venue for LFOTM, 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.

Richard Allen

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

photo of Ian Sargent

Northants NNotes

On Thu 6th Mar at 9.00pm - FThOTM

As it's March I suppose that we should really be going to the Hopping Hare but, on Thursday 6th March at 9.00pm you will find us at our usual venue: The Fox & Hounds in Harlestone. A MENSA mag on one of the tables will show you who we are. I'm hoping to arrange some additional events during summer weekends so if you have any ideas tonight's the night to let the rest of us know.

On Thu 21st Mar at 8.00pm - Roadshow

Thursday 21st March is the first day of spring so it's time to come out of hibernation. The March Roadshow meeting starts at 8.00pm and we are heading to the Talbot Inn, Meadow Road, Kettering. Look for us in the lounge.

Ian Sargent

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

Derby Diary

On Wed 19th Mar at 7.30pm - 3WOTM

March already! Here in Derbyshire, the hares will be leaping about having a jolly old time so why not join us and leap into action yourself? I can heartily recommend the "3rd Wednesday" on the 19th at the Standing Order where you can join us all at 7.30pm for a meal or later for just a drink. Please contact Helen on 01335 344 914 for directions and encouragement.

On Mon 17th Mar at 7.00pm - At Home

I'll be having my own 'at home' on Monday 17th in Butterley Park, Ripley, with the option of chat, food and board games but please call to let me know you're coming so I can organise parking and persuade the cats to give up their favourite armchairs. As always, if you want some encouragement to attend your first meeting, organise one of your own or just want to say hello, then please call or email me as above. It would be very nice to hear from you, especially if you've any ideas for daytime events that we haven't tried lately, like cinema trips or afternoon tea at the new Westfield Centre.

Merry Metcalf

photo of Maxine Bates

Notts News

On Wed 5th Mar at 8.00pm - 5OTM

Once again we'll be at the Vat & Fiddle pub from 8.00pm on Wednesday 5th for our monthly get together. New faces are always welcome. Look for the yellow Mblem to the left of the bar or call me in advance for directions. The venue is on Queensbridge Road which is near Nottingham railway station.

On Mon 10th Mar at 7.30pm - Bjorn Again Concert

Abba tribute band Bjorn Again are performing in their 19th anniversary tour at the Royal Concert Hall at 7.30pm on Monday 10th. They usually put on a good show and, as Benny Andersson says, "make the most out of Bjorn Again because that's the closest you are going to get to seeing Abba!" Tickets cost £18 each. If anyone would like one please contact me as soon as possible so I can make a block booking and we can sit/dance/sing together!

On Wed 12th Mar at 7.00pm - Chicks & Flicks

Two days later, on Wednesday 12th, Paul is hosting the "Chicks & Flicks" event across the road at the Cornerhouse. Meet at 7.00pm prompt inside the doors and from there we'll head to Nando's peri-peri chicken restaurant - now with more veggie options - and later watch a film at Cineworld. For film listings and to help table reservation please contact Paul on [Phone Number] or [Email]

On Tue 25th Mar at 7.30pm - Postcode Pubcrawl

On Tuesday 25th our "Postcode Pubcrawl" event reaches NG33. Join us for a meal and drinks at the Fox & Hounds, Grantham Road, Old Somerby, near Grantham from 7.30pm. I've tested the venue and the food, service and décor are lovely. The pub is on the B1176 and is signposted from the nearby A52 roundabout. Choose from the standard Greene King menu, specials board or two for £9 deals. And pick up a stamp for your "Postcode Pubcrawl" collector card with chance to win prizes.

Ciao for now!

Maxine Bates

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

Sarah and Adrian Parkinson

Sarah and Adrian Parkinson of Loughborough are delighted to announce the birth of their second child, Rebecca Mae, at 12.39pm on 16th January weighing 8lb 3oz.

Cover Photo: Inside Story

Dennis Underwood meets Tami Cowden and Steve Fey

On the 18th December Maxine e-mailed East Midlands members to say that she had received an e-mail from Tami Cowden and Steve Fey. two Mensans from Las Vegas, telling her that they would be staying at Barnsdale Hall near Oakham for a week from the following Saturday and that they would love to meet any local Mensans. Being reasonably near (Syston) and having lived in Rutland, I volunteered (despite being an ex-Royal Signals man in the distant past, I never learned!) Contact was made with them and we arranged to meet on the Friday evening at the Hobby Horse in Syston because it is a well lit landmark. They came up from Warwick, having been to the Castle there, found me without any trouble and I led them to my local pub, The Carington Arms at Ashby Folville. There we sampled the beer (well, Steve did, he enjoyed the Adnams bitter) and had a meal. They loved the pub and Steve said the food was the best pub food he had ever had (plug for my local if you are in the area!).

Although based at Barnsdale Hall they visited London, including the Tower, Warwick Castle, Stratford-on-Avon, Belvoir Castle and, because there is no horse racing in Las Vegas - too hot - they went to the races at Towcester where Tami won around £17.

I have heard from them since they returned home and they promise to be back sooner or later.

They both have web sites which are well worth visiting to see what interesting and busy folk they are. Makes me feel exhausted just to read them!

For Tami: http://www.tamicowden.com/default.htm

For Steve: http://members.aol.com/__121b_rHFaqZj/x/iWfpZufXCwm1VgVs/2EC7RpvK7unQEdRj20bf2pwqewQ==

Dennis Underwood

Think Tank

From Nick Stimpson

What law would you introduce if you could?
It should be required that for every new law created, one should be repealed. That way politicians would have to focus on the ones that really matter.
... and which would you repeal?
So, so many. The minimum wage. Trade is what creates real wealth more effectively than anything else and any government action that comes between a willing buyer and a willing seller is very harmful to that process. Also the ban on fox hunting, which seems to be the persecution of the minority by the majority for no good reason.
Whose picture would you like to see on a bank note?
Robert Hooke would have been perfect, but apparently there are no portraits of him. Perhaps Paul Dirac or Walter Bagehot would be good choices.matter.
What device would you like to see invented?
Indicator lights that work when fitted to a BMW.
Who would you like to see in the Big Brother house?
Someone normal. The first couple of series seemed to manage this, but now it's just a freak show. I particularly love the stereotypes the producers select each year, especially "the bloke who thinks it's a brilliant idea to wear a hat indoors".
How would you reform parliament?
The House of Lords is in most need. It should become a fully elected Senate with each senator being elected for life or until they choose to step down. The number should be cut to about 300 which should mean that if each one served on average 30 years, 10 would be elected each year, giving the electorate a reasonable chance to choose individuals rather than party placemen. Since they would only obtain a popular endorsement once, the Commons would retain its primacy.
How can we save the planet?
The planet can look after itself just fine. How we save ourselves is much tougher, but first we must understand the differences between causes such as "greenhouse gases", measurable but possibly unrelated effects like "global warming", and weasel phrases like "climate change".
Name an event at which the British could win an Olympic gold medal.
Littering. We seem to be world class at that.
What song would make a good national anthem for England?
"Be Here Now" by Oasis.
What would you like see entered into room 101?
Clowns. Not funny, slightly sinister.

20 Questions (No. 78)

Answers from the January competition were Robert Wadlow, 2nd September 2007, Venus, 1953, Venezuela, Norfolk, Wal-Mart, 15,032 lb, Hong Kong, Sears Tower, Richard Rodriguez, 3,517 ft, Queen Mary 2, Ray Tomlinson, War And Peace, Jimmy Savile, The Mousetrap, Stephen Hendry, Elvis Presley and Valentina Tereshkova. Entries were received from Chris Newbold of Quorn, Joyce Ellis-Croft of Rushden, Lesley O'Malley of Twickenham, Mike Hadley of Lutterworth, Geraldine Ellis of Nottingham, Chris Impey of Tring, Jane Edmunds of High Wycombe and Pamela Covey of Woburn with Jane getting the most correct answers and winning £10 worth of National Book Tokens.

There hasn't been an anagrams quiz for a while so, with it being spring cleaning time, maybe you can unscramble these home and garden items. Send your answers to '20 Questions (No. 78)', [Address], to arrive by 20th March. Please state whether you would prefer Leisure Vouchers or National Book Tokens if you are the lucky winner.

1. POET HELEN

2. FLEECE OF BAT

3. CLEAR TROOP

4. FRESHWATER CODS

5. BAT'S PATH

6. CRUELTY

7. WANTING CARE

8. A WORM VICE

9. BEARD ROW

10. FIERCE PAL

11. I RILED QUIZ

12. SMASH PEDAL

13. BENDING TAIL

14. SERVE A WOLF

15. CUBA BEER

16. DEFENCE FOR RIG

17. HEED GROANS

18. BAIRD'S ODE

19. NO GRIN PILL

20. STAND UP