This month's events include a visit to Milton's College in Chalfont St. Giles
 

Regional News

I'm still hoping to hold a regional daytime event suitable for families. However, my diary is rapidly filling with work commitments over the summer months so I do need help to organise something please. If you live in Bedfordshire or Hertfordshire and can suggest a venue - zoo? park? interactive museum? something else? - please do get in touch. I'm aware we don't hold many regional events in the south but hopefully with enough help and support we can make this happen.

However, we do have another regional event already arranged for Saturday 25th January 2014! As this coincides with Burns Night we're holding a Burns Supper. The venue will be the Radisson Blu Hotel near East Midlands Airport and the evening will include a five course Scottish themed dinner with traditional addresses and toasts and parade of the haggis followed by a ceilidh dance. Tickets cost £35 (or £17.50 for under 16s) and are selling already. Full details can be found at www.eastmidsmensa.org.uk

You may also wish to look at our regional web site as we've are launching an online competition and all the answers can be found on the pages of www.eastmidsmensa.org.uk

Enjoy the bank holiday weekends and hope to see you at an event soon.

Maxine Bates

Regional Officer

Events and Meetings

photo of Christine Howells

Lively Lincs

On Sat 11th May at 12:05pm - 2SaOTM

Our pub discussion meetings seem as popular as ever, so we continue this month with 'Music: mind and body food?' at the Adam and Eve in Lincoln, Saturday 11th May at 12.05 until we all go home, usually sometime between 2 and 3. All welcome to join us for lunch or just a drink, to add one's thoughts or just listen.

On Sun 19th May at 3:00pm - Teatime thinking

More talking, this time of a gentle philosophical bent as we amble through the alphabet, this month we reach 'Plato: body and soul considerations.' No previous knowledge required, so feel free to join us for a bit of thinking well sustained by tea and cakes at my house near Alford on Sunday 19th May, 3-5pm. Maybe by then we can sit in the garden.

Further details, encouragement, etc: [Email]

Christine Howells

Contact [Email] for details

photo of Maxine Bates

Derby Diary

There are two opportunities to meet up with local members this month.

On Wed 15th May at 7:30pm - 3WOTM

Our regular get together will be on Wednesday 15th - the earliest date our "3rd Wednesday" event ever falls - and you're welcome to join us for a full meal, snack or just a drink from 7.30pm until late. There's discount for Cathedral Quarter card holders on top of the already reasonable Wetherspoon prices. Look for the yellow Mblem on one of the long tables at the rear of the Standing Order on Irongate in the city centre. New faces always welcome

On Tue 28th May at 7:30pm - Eating meeting

On Tuesday 28th we're returning to the School House restaurant in South Normanton for our "eating meeting". This proved a very popular venue on our last visit. They serve an excellent choice of well presented British food with 2 courses for £10.50 or 3 courses for £12.50 in a lovely environment. Due to its popularity reserve your place with me by 17th please.

Maxine Bates

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

photo of Maxine Bates

Notts News

All our events happen to fall at the start of the month but all on different days so hopefully one will be suitable.

On Wed 1st May at 7:00pm - 5OTM

We have one of our occasional cinema trips on Wednesday 1st at Showcase Cinema in Lenton (near Queen's Medical Centre). Please contact me in advance to express interest and decide which film we'd like to watch so that the rendez-vous time of 7.00pm can be amended if necessary and we can check there are enough Orange 2-4-1 vouchers to get us all in half price. There may be opportunity for a meal beforehand or a drink afterwards depending on film preference and timings.

On Sun 5th May at 8:00pm - Natter and nosh

Join us at the Vat & Fiddle pub on Queensbridge Road (near Nottingham railway station) from 8.00pm on Sunday 5th for a drink and chat and tell us how you're spending the bank holiday weekend. We're usually in the Golding's Room to the left of the bar and Mensa Magazine will be on display.

On Thu 9th May at 7:30pm - Eating meeting

We'll be at the Beekeeper Hungry Horse pub/restaurant on Meadow Lane in Beeston from 7.30pm on Thursday 9th. I call this our "natter & nosh" event because that's what we do! Though you're welcome to just have a drink if you don't want food and you may arrive and leave whatever time you like. Find us on our reserved table near the food order point at the end of the bar displaying a yellow Mblem.

On Fri 10th May at 7:00pm - Greyhound racing

The following evening, Friday 10th, we're returning to Nottingham Greyhound Stadium for one of their charity tournaments. Tickets cost £5 each including admission and race card. All this money goes to Cancer Research UK as 100 tickets have been donated by the stadium. Accompanied under 18s are free so a good family night out. Food and drink are available at the venue and there's ample free parking. You're very welcome to invite your family, friends and work colleagues. Gates open at 6.00pm with the first race at 6.28pm and last race finished by 10.30pm. You may arrive and leave when you like and there will be an optional rendez-vous point at 7.00pm.

Would anyone be interested in a cookery class run by a former chef from Buckingham Palace now working at Woodborough Hall? Cost is £25 per person including cookery demonstration, three course meal and drinks. These are usually held at 7.00pm on the last Monday of the month but for a group of 8 people can be arranged at other times.

Please contact me for further information or to book any of these events.

Ciao for now!

Maxine Bates

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

photo of Ian Sargent

Northants NNotes

On Thu 2nd May at 8:00pm - Visit to Cheyne Walk Club

Thursday 2nd May at 8pm marks the date and time of our first meeting of the month and we are eschewing the normal pub venues. We have an invitation to visit Cheyne Walk Club, Cheyne Walk, Northampton, NN1 5PU. We have to be signed in and the intention is to meet in the car park just before 8pm so that we can go in as a group. Most of the parking at the club is reserved for members, but on-street parking is available within a 5-10 minute walk.Dress code is "smart casual" - if you need clarification of that please contact me. It would help to know roughly how many people are expected so ifyou are interested can you please let me know by the previous Sunday.

On Thu 16th May at 8:00pm - Roadshow

The second Northants meeting of the month is on Thursday 16th May at 8pm and it's another new venue. The Roadshow travels take us to The Old King's head, Harbidges Lane, Long Buckby, NN6 7QL. There's no telling where we will be sitting, which means that you will have to search for us. A copy of the Mensa magazine will show you who we are.

If you need any further information contact me on [Phone Number] or e-mail [Email].

Ian Sargent

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

photo of Jo Sidebottom

Mensans In MK and Bedford

On Sat 4th May at 11:00am - FThOTM

Join us on Saturday 4th May for a breath of spring air at Stockgrove Country Park near Heath & Reach/Linslade, just north of Leighton Buzzard. This comes well recommended for its bluebells, which we hope will still be in flower in early May. Meet outside the Visitor Centre at 11am - look for an Mblem. After a leisurely walk we will have lunch at the park café. LU postcode members particularly welcome, as this is technically in your area.

On Sun 26th May at 10:30am - 3MOTM

On Monday 20th we continue our Third Monday of the Month meetings at The Barge at Woolstone. Join us from 7.30 if you wish to eat or chat beforehand, and then from 9pm we will form one or more teams for the quiz. Cost is £1 per person.

See www.vintageinn.co.uk/thebargewoolstone/ for location and menu details. If possible, please let me know beforehand if you're coming so we can reserve a big enough table.

On Sun 26th May at 10:30am - Sunday breakfast

Sunday breakfast will be at 10.30 am (please note the slightly later time!) on Sunday 26th at Wetherspoons on Midsummer Boulevard West, next to Chiquito's and not far up from the railway station (NOT the other Lloyds/Wetherspoons nearer the shopping centre and next to Jury's Inn). 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 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

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

More or Leicester

On Sun 5th May at 11:00am - Bradgate Park

As I type this notice, snow is gently falling outside the window, and the weatherman is warning me of "snowmageddon".... Sigh.......! Well in the hope that the weather does improve eventually, I thought we'd start May off with a Sunday morning stroll around the beautiful and historic Bradgate Park; taking in the deer, Lady Jane Gray's house and so on. Meet up in the car park in Newtown Linford at 11:00 on Sunday 5th, and family/friends/pooches are welcome! Give me a call on [Phone Number] if you can't find me.

On Thu 23rd May at 8:00pm - 4ThOTM

Following on from that is our usual "Fourth Thursday" get together in The Craddock Inn on Thursday 23rd at 20:00. Please feel free to bring along a partner / family / friend as they'd be more than welcome. We're normally in the bottom bit of the pub, so look out for the magazine or yellow mBlem on a table somewhere.

Paul Coulson

photo of David Seddon

WATever . . .

On Mon 13th May at 8:00pm - Games and puzzles evening

Our regular 2nd Monday games and puzzles evening meeting is this time held at Julia Haldane's place. Please bring the usual small amount of crisps or nibbles. Please email/phone me if you plan on attending and I will let you have Julia's address.

The Pump House - film + bar (Julia Haldane will organise) An extra meeting for May and probably a Saturday or Sunday evening. We will send out an email and advise what's on. Please let me know in advance if you would like to attend.

On Tue 28th May at 8:00pm - Pub meeting

Pub meeting King's Head, Bridge Road, Hunton Bridge WD4 8RE Please note this is a TUESDAY as Monday is Bank Holiday We usually meet upstairs in the 'gallery' area furthest from the bar. The pub is easy to find from the dual carriageway (A41 Watford Road) From Watford turn right at the traffic lights, over the small bridge and then on the right. Look for the magazine or ask at the bar. New members are warmly welcomed

David Seddon

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

photo of Richard Allen

Herts Happenings

On Thu 2nd May 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 Fri 31st May at 8:00pm - LFOTM

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.

Would anyone be interested in joining me at occasional performances at the Gordon Craig Theatre in Stevenage? I'm interested in going to see "Cadfael: the Virgin in the Ice" based on Ellis Peters' novel, which is on from 21-25 May. Give me a call if you're interested. At the moment, I'm looking to go on Wed 22 or Thu 23 May. Tickets £16 - £21.50.

Richard Allen

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

photo of Val Hinkins

Mid Bucks

On Tue 7th May at 7:00pm - Scrabble

I know of several local members who are interested in meeting up for regular games of Scrabble, but it is proving difficult to find a time and location that suits everyone. I will host a one-off Scrabble evening at home in High Wycombe on Tuesday 7th May from 7pm to 10pm so that we can meet and discuss possible future locations and times. This will enable me to gauge the level of interest as well as giving us an opportunity to play a few games. Please contact me by phone or e-mail for directions and to reserve a chair. Space is limited! If you are interested in coming, but cannot attend on this evening, please let me know your views on possible venues and days or times which would suit you. It is likely that we will want to use more than one location. If you would be able to host a Scrabble evening, please let me know. I will then put a programme of future meetings together.

On Sat 11th May at 12:00pm - Milton's Cottage visit

On Saturday 11th May we will be visiting Chalfont St. Giles. We will start with lunch at the Milton's Head from 12:00 and then cross the road to Milton's Cottage when it re-opens at 2pm. This is where John Milton sought refuge from the plague in 1665 and completed Paradise Lost. His sixteenth century cottage houses a small museum dedicated to Milton's life and works and has a grade I listing from English Heritage. Outside many plants mentioned in Milton's poetry are growing in the restored cottage garden. Further details are available at http://www.miltonscottage.org/about-miltons-cottage.htm Bus service 353 between Hemel Hempstead and Slough passes through Chalfont St. Giles and also stops outside Amersham railway station.

For directions or encouragement please contact me on [Email] or [Phone Number]

Val Hinkins

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

Think Tank

This month's think tank is courtesy of Tessa Bamkin of Derby

Which charity do you most like to support?
Good will itself and i often buy a geobar from oxfam.
Name a place local to you that you'd recommend people visit
The Coopers Arms, Elvaston Castle (great for bike rides and picnics), national ice centre, megazone some of my favourites
Whose picture would you like to see on a bank note?
Stephen Fry, Stephen Hawking perhaps too, Robert Winston, Nick Cave of course.
What device would you like to see invented?
Something that can take a digitial recording of thoughts
How can we save the planet?
SAVE THE CHEERLEADER
How would you reform parliament?
Take over America for one, they can't look after themselves. I'd get rid of this council and mp divide. It gets in the way.
Who would you like to see in the Big Brother house?
Winston
Name an event at which the British could win an Olympic gold medal.
Banning things due to health and safety
What song would make a good national anthem for England?
Rule Britannia of course.
Who would you like see entered into room 101?
Questions that are based upon TV shows.
Suggest a new question for this page.
Give an idea or invention

'20 Questions (No. 140)'

Lots of entries to our March competition from Alex Foster of Derby, Chris Impey of Tring, Helene Parry of Brentford, David Crozier of St Albans, Lynn Faulkner of Nottingham, Michael Warren of Derby, Mike Hadley of Lutterworth, Ian Nelson of Letchworth, Pamela Covey of Woburn, Roger Plant of Nottingham, DW Dell of Leighton Buzzard, Lynn Cooper of Hertfordshire and Philip Abbott of Watford.

The answers were Mysterons, Matterhorn, Murdoch Mysteries, Madison Avenue, Mary Westmacott, McLaren, Mary, My Fair Lady, Madagascar, Moonstone, Missing Believed Wiped, Modest, Minnesota, Macrobiotics, Jayne Mansfield, Flora MacDonald, Minuetto Allegretto, Massachussetts, Morpeth and Montmorency. The prize goes to Lynn Cooper for being drawn at random from all the correct entries.

As the Eurovision Song Contest takes place this month we have a quiz about the EU with thanks to Patrick Cavanagh for setting it. Send your answers to arrive by 15th May (note earlier deadline) to '20 Questions (No. 140)', 80 Milnhay Road, Langley Mill, Nottingham, NG16 4AW or via email to [Email]

1. Which EU capital's name translated into English means "black pool"?

2. Which EU capital's name translated into English means "beloved city"?

3. In which EU capital city will you find KeletiPályuadvar, NyugatiPályuadvar and DéliPályuadvarrailway stations?

4. In which EU capital city is the new main railway station under construction in the Favourite (translated into English) District?

5. Which EU country has the province Masuria?

6. Which EU country has the province Asturias?

7. Which volcano buried the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum?

8. Which volcanic Greek island which blew up approx. 1500 BC gave rise to the legend of Atlantis and the destruction of the Minoan civilisation?

9. Which (now EU) country changed from driving on the left (as in UK and Ireland) to driving on the right in 1938?

10. Which (now EU) country changed from driving on the left to driving on the right in 1967?

11.

12. Which English city was called Eboracum by the Romans?

13. Which German city was called Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium by the Romans?

14. Which three countries border on the Skagerrak and Kattegat?

15. Which three countries operate services to Basel's main railway station?

16. Lorelei, the site of many shipping accidents, is on which European river?

17. Which European river has tributaries including the Vltava, Havel and Mulde?

18. Which Scottish island, in the original Scots Gaelic, has the shortest place name in the UK, just a single letter?

19. Which English island was named Vectis by the Romans?

20. Which EU country is reputed to have 187,888 lakes of at least 500m² area?

Which EU country - apart from the British Isles and Ireland - still drive on the left?