Grantham architecture
Alan Marshall took these photos while on an exercise trip around Grantham. He moved to the town recently and has found everyone to be friendly and welcoming, even in Lockdown. That's good to hear!
 

Regional News

Maxine, surrounded by multicoloured flowers on several levels

It's hard to imagine it's a whole year since I saw most of my Mensa friends. Who knew when we left that event back in March 2020 we wouldn't see each other again for so long!? I've really appreciated seeing those I have managed to during times of less restrictions and at an appropriate distance. It's hard to imagine a dozen of us all sitting round a table now whilst someone else cooks our dinner, but with more people getting vaccinated, I sincerely hope that won't be a thing of the past.

With outdoor socially distanced events having more chance of happening for the time being, we've spent some of our regional budget purchasing professionally compiled walking trails in the form of murder mysteries, spy missions and treasure hunts. Solve the clues whilst discovering incredible stories from the past and perhaps learning more about your home village, town or city! These will be appearing around our region over the coming months. Ideal for a little fresh air and exercise and suitable for all ages so invite the family! Plus very budget friendly, i.e. free to join in!

There's also our online quiz at 8.00pm on Thursday 18th March to test those brain cells from the comfort of your armchair!

Maxine Bates

Regional Officer

Editorial

Carole, indoors, smiling behind a display of red and yellow flowers

In March 1871, Queen Victoria opened the Royal Albert Hall and in March 1981 Tim Smit saw the opening of the Eden Project. I wonder what either of them would have said if they had been told that in 2020/21 no paying guests would be allowed in?

Both these projects inspire hope for the future, and with that in mind, what plans do you have for when these restrictions are lifted even slightly? If you are looking for travel ideas, see page 7 for the Travel SIG.

Let us know if you are re-arranging big holidays or events that have been cancelled over the last year, or if the lockdown has inspired you to break free of your four walls and explore.

Whatever is going on in March, I hope you are keeping safe and well and please take advantage of the great online events your local organisers have arranged. Zoom meetings can be great fun and you don't even need to get yourself there and back - just log in and enjoy meeting old and new faces. And if face to face meetings are allowed - enjoy them!

It's over to Mark Sloan for the next few issues of Empress - thank you in advance Mark. I'll hopefully be back in August - fingers crossed for great weather, good health and the odd day out - or even a holiday maybe!

Carole Pollard

Events and Meetings

photo of Susan Graves

Derby Diary

On Sun 7th Mar at 2:00pm - Walk

Fairly easy walk around Shipley Country Park. Meet in car park at the visitor centre (DE75 7GX). Charge of £1.60 for 2 hours or £3 for 4 hours applies. Route can be 3-5 miles dependant on participants and weather and passes through woodland, round lakes and historic buildings, and along a trim track. It's important to contact Maxine on [Phone Number] or [Email] to confirm attendance in case numbers limited.

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

Have a chat at our monthly Derby meeting on Zoom. Pen will be hosting again as Susan is double booked. Have your choice of refreshment to hand. It will last for an hour and twenty minutes but stay for as little or long as you like. Please contact Susan for the Zoom link on [Email]. For questions on the day, Pen is on [Email]

Susan Graves

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

photo of Steve Thomas

Hertfordshire Happenings

On Thu 4th Mar at 8:00pm - FThOTM

We will again be joining the Sudbury (East Anglia region) Zoom meeting. The invitation is open to all Hertfordshire members. Previous Zoom meetings have provided lively and interesting conversation, and new faces are always welcome. For joining instructions, please refer to the FThOTM listing in the East Anglia column, watch out for announcements in the East Midlands Mensa Facebook group. Please call [Phone Number] or email [Email] for details.

Steve Thomas

Contact [Email] or [Mobile Number] for details

photo of Haydn Starkie

In Leicestershire

On Mon 15th Mar at 8:00pm - ZOOM Meeting

This month our third Monday of the month gathering will be replaced by a Zoom meeting, to be hosted by Pen Penny. If you would like to join us, please email Pen on or before Saturday 13th March. Pen's email address is [Email]. Pen will then send you the link to join the meeting. If you need any information or encouragement, please contact me on [Phone Number] or at [Email].

On Sat 27th Mar at 7:00pm - Pub Meal

We hope to dine at the Three Crowns Inn, 2-6 Cotes Road LE12 8JS, a 17th century village pub with a large car park. You can bring along a friend but booking ahead is essential so to reserve a place, please let me know by Saturday 20th March. You can telephone me on [Phone Number] or email:[Email]

Haydn Starkie

Contact [Email] or [Mobile Number] for details

photo of Jacquie Harrison

Lively Lincs

On Sat 13th Mar at 12:30pm - SSOTM lunchtime discussion

This month's topic is: 'What should be included in formal education'? Join us on Zoom for a friendly online conversation over lunch. No performances necessary - join in as little or as much as you like. Email Jacquie in advance to request the link. If you haven't used Zoom before, Jacquie is happy to run through it with you a few days beforehand. Contact Jacquie on [Email] or [Phone Number].

On Thu 25th Mar at 7:30pm - Zoom Mensa parlour games

Join us online for an evening of fun and games. No performances necessary - join in as little or as much as you like. Bring your own treats. Contact Jacquie in advance for the Zoom link, or for a bit of encouragement if you are a newcomer or haven't used Zoom before. [Phone Number] or [Email].

Jacquie Harrison

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

photo of Val Hinkins

Mid Bucks

On Sun 7th Mar at 2:00pm - Games Afternoon

Please join Dave and Alison on-line for a relaxed and informal Sunday afternoon of board games and chat. All members and friends are welcome. We will be using www.boardgamearena.com and either Skype or Zoom for chat. For more information & connection details please contact Dave a few days beforehand. Either telephone him on [Phone Number] or e-mail to [Email]

On Fri 19th Mar at 10:30am - Coffee & Chat

Keep the date free and join me either in High Wycombe or on-line for relaxed conversation, cake and coffee. (Make Your Own Coffee if on-line!) Please contact me a few days beforehand to confirm the venue and that the meeting is going ahead on [Phone Number] or e-mail me at [Email]

On Sun 21st Mar at 2:00pm - Games Afternoon

Please join Dave and Alison on-line for a relaxed and informal Sunday afternoon of board games and chat. All members and friends are welcome. We will be using www.boardgamearena.com and either Skype or Zoom for chat. For more information & connection details please contact Dave a few days beforehand. Either telephone him on [Phone Number] or e-mail to [Email]

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

photo of Jo Sidebottom

Mensans in MK & Bedford

On Mon 15th Mar at 7:30pm - 3MOTM Quiz

Fun general knowledge quiz via Zoom. Link will be publicised nearer the time via social media, or contact Jo at [Email], or [Phone Number] / [Phone Number].

On Sun 28th Mar at 10:30am - Sunday Breakfast

Join us online via Zoom as we chat over breakfast. Zoom link will be publicised nearer the time via social media, or contact Jo at [Email], or [Phone Number] / [Phone Number].

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 this month. 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

photo of Maxine Bates

Notts News

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

Please check if we are permitted to meet for a drink and chat at the Vat & Fiddle pub (near Nottingham railway station) with Maxine on [Phone Number] or [Email]

On Thu 11st Mar at 7:30pm - Natter & Nosh

Please check if we can meet for dinner at The Cadland, High Road, Chilwell with Maxine on [Phone Number] or [Email]

On Thu 18th Mar at 8:00pm - Quiz

Log onto our East Midlands Mensa Facebook group to test your trivia. The general knowledge quiz will last around an hour. Questions will be posted and you're welcome to play along with family as a team or as an individual from the comfort of your armchair.

On Tue 30th Mar at 7:30pm - Eating Meeting

Please contact Maxine to find out if our restaurant visit is able to go ahead this month and if so where. [Phone Number] or [Email]

Ciao for now!

Maxine Bates

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

Travel SIG

Are you planning some travel once the restrictions have been lifted? Check out the Travel SIG online

VISA - Mensa Travel Tales - The front cover of the August 2020 Travel SIG newsletter

Travel SIG, with members from round the world, shares Mensans' travel experiences. Whether you travel far and wide, or closer to home, you're welcome to join and we'd like to hear from you. Our newsletter VISA, published six times a year, shares travel information, tips, advice and views on travel issues. We also organise occasional events.

To join the SIG - log into www.mensa.org.uk/sigs, email sigs@mensa.org.uk, or call 01902 772771. Quote your membership number if emailing or phoning.

As with all British Mensa SIGs, you can get the newsletter free as PDFs by email.

SIGSec: Helen Matthews hsmatthews@btopenworld.com

Special Interest Groups - SIGS

For those of you who prefer to remain at home for now, don't forget you can join a multitude of Special Interest Groups to correspond with like-minded members covering a wide range of hobbies and interests. Click on www.mensa.org.uk to see what's available and sign up or contact the Mensa office at their new address in Wolverhampton but with the same phone number.

Thank you!

To the following members who don't hold an official title or role but willingly help out with events in our region. You are much appreciated.

Pen Penny for standing in to host regular events and compiling meeting ads for Leics

Helen Shovlar for hosting regular events in Lincs

Nigel Bryant from Beds for compiling quizzes and playing quizmaster

Dave Denholm for hosting regular boardgames in Bucks

Ian Sargent for keeping Northants going in the absence of a Local Officer

Sue Watford for hosting a regular meal (in normal times!) in Leics

Richard Allen for hosting a regular pub social (in normal times!) in Herts

Christine Howells for co-hosting the MK Sunday breakfast meetings

Check out Brightspace on Facebook

British Mensa's members-only discussion space. If you are a current member of British Mensa and wish to be a part of Brightspace, simply click 'Join' on the Facebook page. Interaction can help if you're feeling a need to communicate with like-minded souls.

20 Questions (No. 233)

The answers to the January quiz were every 10 years, 1837, parish records, 100 years, 1841, how long people had been married and how many children in total a woman had had, International Genealogical Index, Mormons, heraldry, Burke's Peerage, Kew, illegitimate, the records were destroyed by fire in WW2, information for ID cards, maiden name, 16, grand aunt, 1752, 1858 and Latin.

Congratulations to David Crozier of St Albans who is the winner of the £10 One4All gift card.

This month's quiz is about 1980s pop music. Remembering better days when we didn't have to social distance and wear face masks! Send your entries by 20th March to '20 Questions (No. 233)', to [Address] or [Email]

Remember t o include your name and address.

1. Which singer performed at Live Aid in both London and Philadelphia?

2. Belinda Carlisle and Jane Wiedlin used to belong to which all girl group?

3. Who is the lead singer of Big Country?

4. In which city were all eight members of UB40 born?

5. What is the real name of Elvis Costello?

6. Which member of Duran Duran produced Kajagoogoo's first album?

7. In which year was Cliff Richard awarded an OBE?

8. Which group sang the title track to the Bond film 'View To A Kill'?

9. Whose first top ten single was 'Wishful Thinking'?

10. What was Sting's occupation before becoming a pop star?

11. Which trio wrote hits for Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan?

12. Paul Humphreys and Andy McCluskey made up which band?

13. Who is the one-armed drummer in Def Leppard?

14. Which singer married Whitney Houston?

15. Who was a member of both Bananarama and Shakespear's Sister?

16. Who was first to sing on the original Band Aid's 'Do They Know It's Christmas?'?

17. What was the first song played at the launch of MTV on 1st August 1981?

18. Toni Basil was a cheerleader at which school?

19. Who was the female member of the Thomson Twins?

20. 'Ace mat craze' is an anagram of which band?