Mardi Gras Party Night

See the Mardi Gras Party Night page.

Regional News

A warm welcome to all the junior Mensans who have recently joined in Grantham. I'm well aware that Mensa as a society does not have much to offer under 18s, although you should all have received an invitation to join a Facebook group especially for you where no adults are allowed. So this is a question for all junior Mensans living in the East Midlands... What would YOU like to see happening for your age group? If there are any activities you'd like to do with other junior Mensans, i.e. bowling, skating, boardgames, please do let either me or your Local Secretary know and we'll see if something can be arranged just for you.

On a similar note, there must be lots of members who have a little free time during the day such as mothers with young children at home, shift workers or retirees. Would you be interested in meeting other members during the daytime? Again, please get in touch and tell us where you live and what you'd like to do.

I'm delighted to say that bookings are going well for our Mardi Gras Party Night in Coalville on Saturday 19th February. If you intend to come along and would like to join in the afternoon mask making session then your mask may come in handy later in the year as I see the 2011 Annual Gathering organisers are planning a masked ball. The dates for your diary are 16th-19th September and the location is Coventry so not too far from our own region.

I'm on [Phone Number] or maxine@marubaevents.com and always pleased to hear from you.

Maxine Bates

Regional Officer

REGIONAL OFFICER

I am due to stand for re-election as East Midlands Mensa Regional Officer at our next committee meeting in February 2011. Nominations are sought for this role. For information on what is involved please contact either myself on [Phone Number] or [Email] or John Stevenage at the Mensa office on 01902-772771 or john@mensa.org.uk. Candidates will be announced in the January issue of Empress.

Maxine Bates

Events and Meetings

photo of Jo Sidebottom

Mensans in MK & Bedford

Two meetings this month in the MK & Bedford area.

On Thu 4th Nov at 8.00pm - FThOTM

First, come and help celebrate Chris's birthday on Thursday 4th November from 8.00pm at our regular First Thursday venue of Jurys Inn Hotel on Midsummer Boulevard. Look out for the Mblem on one of the tables to the right in the foyer. Parking is a bit busy around Jurys and The Hub, so we usually try and get in across the road and then walk through the underpass.

On Sat 20th Nov at 3.00pm - T@3

Continuing our new monthly T@3 meetings, this month we will be at Wilstead Garden Centre on Saturday 20th - it's just off the A6, a couple of miles south of the Bedford southern bypass.

Hope to see you there,

Jo Sidebottom

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

"November always seemed to me the Norway of the year." Emily Dickinson

photo of Maxine Bates

Notts News

On Fri 5th Nov at 8.00pm - 5OTM

Remember remember the 5th of November... and join us for a Friday evening drink and chat at the Vat & Fiddle pub on Queensbridge Road. Look for the yellow Mblem usually to the left of the bar from 8.00pm. We range in age from 20s to 60s and new faces are always welcome for intellectual discussion and silly chat. The pub is near Nottingham railway station but contact me on [Phone Number] or [Email] beforehand if you need directions.

On Wed 10th Nov at 7.00pm - Chicks & Flicks

At 7.00pm on Wednesday 10th we'll be meeting inside the doors to the Cornerhouse in the city centre for our "chicks & flicks" event. A meal at Nando's (menu at www.nandos.co.uk) followed by film at Cineworld (film options at www.cineworld.co.uk). Sometimes we split into two groups to watch a film. Or if timings aren't right - we usually opt for films starting between 8.00-9.00 pm so we have time to eat and it's not gone midnight when we get home - we stay chatting in Nando's or move on for a drink elsewhere. It's all very informal depending on who turns up on the night. Why not join us?

On Thu 25th Nov at 7.30pm - Theatre

On Thursday 25th we're going to see the musical Chess at the Theatre Royal. The performance starts at 7.30pm and by the time you read this we will already have purchased tickets as they are selling fast. But please contact me to check availability.

On Tue 30th Nov at 7.30pm - Eating meeting

Our "eating meeting" at 7.30pm on Tuesday 30th will be an early festive feast at The Beekeeper pub/restaurant in Beeston where three courses cost £11.99. Again we will have had to pre-book but contact me if interested as I may be able to add more to our booking. With 22 of us already it should be a good night!

Ciao for now!

Maxine Bates

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

photo of Richard Allen

Hertfordshire Happenings

On Thu 4th Nov at 8.15pm - FThOTM

Regular first Thursday of the month meeting on Thursday 4th from 8.15pm. We'll be around for our usual mix of lively conversation and a good atmosphere. As always, we're at the Millstream, Cambridge Road, Hitchin. Good food and good beer both available! Call me for more details and encouragement. The pub is about ten minutes' walk from the railway station.

On Fri 26th Nov at 8.00pm - LFOTM

On Friday 26th from 8.00pm join us at the Cowper Arms, Digswell (near Welwyn village) for Last Friday. Good food and good beer available to suit all tastes! The venue is next to Welwyn North railway station (Kings Cross - Cambridge and Peterborough line with trains every 30 minutes). Contact me for further details and encouragement.

Richard Allen

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

Derby Diary

On Tue 9th Nov at 7.30pm - Italian meal

On Tuesday 9th at 7.30pm join me for an Italian meal at Frankie and Benny's in Manor Road Littleover Derby ( DE23 6BR ). There's a reasonably priced menu with a wide selection of dishes, some suitable for vegetarians. Call me by the 7th for encouragement and to reserve your seat.

On Wed 17th Nov at 7.30pm - 3WOTM

Third Wednesday is the 17th. Join us at 7.30pm for food or just a drink at the Standing Order on Irongate. Find us in the low ceilinged area towards the back of the pub. New faces always welcome at this well attended meeting. For encouragement/directions call me or Maxine on [Phone Number].

Alistair Blackett

"Dull November brings the blast, then the leaves are whirling fast." Sara Coleridge

photo of Christine Howells

Lively Lincs

On Sat 13th Nov at 12.00pm - 2SaOTM

Our regular 2SaOTM meeting will be taking place as usual in central Lincoln on Saturday 13th 12 - 2pm. Everyone is very welcome to join us for a chat in the coffee bar at The Collection, Danes Terrace.

Some have lunch/snack, others just partake of drinks. Usually we're at the far end of the room, spot the yellow Mblem.

For more details/encouragement please contact me.

Christine Howells

Contact [Email] for details

photo of Val Hinkins

Mid Bucks

On Sun 7th Nov at 4.00pm - Brainstorming!

This month sees an unusual meeting. On Sunday 7th at 4.00pm I will be hosting a brainstorming session to help Neil Matthews' with his latest charity project - The Pachyderm Paradigm. We will be generating ideas for elephant themed cartoons based on well-known business and management clichés. No experience required! Tea, coffee and buns provided. Space is limited so please ring or e-mail me at by Monday 1st November for directions and to let me know you are coming.

Val Hinkins

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

photo of Jenny Habib

Berkhamsted

On Wed 24th Nov at 7.45pm - Eating meeting

On Wednesday 24th at 7.45-ish we will meet at the upper room in the "Eat Fish "restaurant on Berkhamsted High Street. All members young as well as adult very welcome, you do not have to eat, just have a glass of juice or any other drink and enjoy the chat. The food is good and reasonable if you are hungry. Having a room to ourselves helps the conversation, so do come and join in! Don't forget you can park across the road behind Tesco's store. Parking is free after 6.00pm. Hoping to see you all.

Jenny Habib

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

More or Leicester

On Tue 9th Nov at 8.00pm - Eating meeting

In November, our rolling roadshow of eating-meetings winds its merry way just to the north of the picturesque town of Market Harborough, famous for being near to Lutterworth where Frank Whittle invented the jet engine. We're off to "The Langton Inn" on Tuesday 9th at 8.00pm. This is located at the junction of the A6 and B6047 (Look for the Premier Inn sign) - there's more information on their website http://www.tabletable.co.uk/home/pubs/find/le16+7tg.

On Thu 18th Nov at 8.00pm - 3ThOTM

For the second month on the trot, our "third Thursday of the month" meeting is indeed on the third Thursday of the month (on the 18th, to save you looking it up)! We're back exploring the oddities of The Old Horse on London Road in Leicester. Discussion topic of the day is "What do you think the regional secretary is buying us all for Christmas???". Look for the yellow mBlem on a table however for both of these events, if you can drop me a line, or give me a call, we'll know to look out for you and how big a table to grab! Please feel free to bring friends or partners along - the more the merrier!

See you soon!

Paul Coulson

"The gloomy months of November, when the people of England hang and drown themselves." Joseph Addison

photo of David Seddon

Wat...Ever

September Games evening was very popular - so more of the same for November!

On Mon 8th Nov at 8.00pm - Bonfire BBQ and Quiz/Games

On Monday 8th at 8.00pm a Bonfire BBQ and Quiz/Games. The venue is to be advised - so please make sure I have your correct email address - or please phone me. Spaces may be limited, so firstcome first served.

On Mon 22nd Nov at 8.00pm - Pub meeting

On Monday 22nd at 8.00pm there will be a pub meeting at the Essex Arms, Langley Way, Watford. Please look for the Magazine on the table.

David Seddon

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

Editor's Bit

Although you may be reading this in November, (possibly the end of October), here in editorland it's still September. The evenings have become a bit chilly but, if you believe the November quotations I've found, November is a miserable month! I hope you don't find it so. I prefer to think of November as crackling log fires and cosy armchairs. And brisk walks ending in warm pubs.

A place you won't find many pubs is Letchworth Garden City. Find out why and other fascinating facts in the first of our new series, "My Town", which is on pages 6-7. Next month we'll be hearing about Bedford, and there's an item on Milton Keynes in the pipeline. What about where you live? Would you like to write a paragraph, a couple of pages, or anything in between, about your town? Like it or loathe it you live there. So what's it like?

Looking forward to hearing from you,

[Phone Number] (new number)

[Email]

No!

No sun - no moon!
No morn - no noon!
No dawn - no dusk - no proper time of day -
No sky - no earthly view -
No distance looking blue -
No road - no street -
No "t'other side the way" -
No end to any Row -
No indications where the Crescents go -
No top to any steeple -
No recognitions of familiar people -
No courtesies for showing 'em -
No knowing 'em!
No mail - no post -
No news from any foreign coast -
No park - no ring - no afternoon gentility -
No company - no nobility -
No warmth, no cheerfulness, no healthful ease -
No comfortable feel in any member -
No shade, no shine, no butterflies, no bees -
No fruits, no flowers, no leaves, no birds -
November!

And a not so negative November . . .

November

November comes
And November goes,
With the last red berries
And the first white snows.
With night coming early,
And dawn coming late,
And ice in the bucket
And frost by the gate.
The fires burn
And the kettles sing,
And earth sinks to rest
Until next spring.

But if you know a really cheerful poem about November (or Winter), please send it in and cheer us up.

"November's sky is chill and drear, November's leaf is red and sear." Sir Walter Scott

Letchworth Garden City

Summer scene of Broadway Gardens
Winter scene of Broadway Gardens
The photographs are both of Broadway Gardens in Letchworth Garden City (see the clock tower of the Town Hall).

Letchworth Garden City. You may have heard the name announced at Kings Cross station, or seen signs to it off the A1(M), or seen it on a map. But how much do you know about it? What is a Garden City? First of all, it is not a term with any legal standing. Letchworth's charter lists it as a town, although one forbidden to hold a market for many years as it was feared that it would give unfair competition to the neighbouring towns of Hitchin and Baldock.

The term "Garden City" was first coined in 1898 following the publication of Ebenezer Howard's (1850-1927) book "Tomorrow: A Peaceful Path to Real Reform ", reprinted in 1902 as "Garden Cities of Tomorrow", in which he outlined his visions as to how towns could and should develop in the future. Howard is now regarded as the father of the Garden City movement.

The concept of the Garden City was to build on the success of the "model villages" that a number of companies had built for their employees in the 19th century, such as Port Sunlight, Bournville, New Lanark and Saltaire, and to use those principles to build a new town with a new ethos. The Garden City was to incorporate the best features of town and country life and in particular, was to avoid the poor housing that was such a feature of many industrial cities. Houses would have large gardens, mainly so that the residents could have space to grow their own food. All houses would have an indoor bathroom and this rule was rigidly followed; no houses were built with outside toilets. Industry was to be located in a separate area to housing, a foretaste of present-day town planning. The town became the home of many manufacturing companies: some of the more famous included the British Tabulating Machine Company (later ICL) and Spirella, whose corset factory dominated the area around the railway station. (The building is still in use as a gym, office and conference centre.)

The location of Letchworth, at that time a small village on the Hitchin to Baldock road (now A505), was chosen because of its good communications and was built, from the start, with the railway station at its centre. The origins of the name have been lost in the mists of time: a popular theory is that it means "farm by the rivulet" but "enclosure of the larch trees" and "locked (i.e. private) enclosure" have also been put forward.

The first batch of houses to be built, from 1903-1910, were distinguished by their varied architectural style and strongly influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement. Later houses were built in a more utilitarian but modern style. Much of the original town had been built by 1914 and to this day, the "early Garden City houses", as they have become known, are highly sought-after when they come onto the market. The original part of the town is now a Conservation Area and one visual benefit of this is a lack of satellite TV dishes! An interesting feature of the early Garden City houses is that very few have sash windows; presumably these were considered to be very old-fashioned at this time. Also considered old-fashioned, despite the association with the country, was the thatched roof; only one house, now the First Garden City Heritage Museum, was built with one.

To gain publicity for the new town, and to emphasise that it was to be a town for working people with (to use a modern phrase) "affordable housing", two "Cheap Cottages Exhibitions" were held in 1905 and 1907, in which entrants had to compete to build houses for less than £150; a £100 prize was awarded for the best entry. Most of the original Cheap Cottages still stand to this day.

The construction of the town was largely funded by Quakers and other Nonconformists and this had two consequences. One was the abundance of places of worship catering for a wide range of denominations, most of which still survive, and the other was that the town did not have any licensed premises until 1961. It had the very unusual feature of The Skittles Inn - known as "the pub with no beer", which is now a community centre.

The town has one other claim to historical interest: it contains what is described as the country's first traffic roundabout at Sollershott Circus, on the south side of the town, dating from 1911.

Today, the town is much less industrialised than it was and has become, like so many others, largely a commuter town. Yet it still retains a lot of its original character and remains a popular place to live.

So what makes Letchworth special to me? I've lived here for just over seven years and I recall on my first visit, when I was looking for somewhere to live, that I liked the ambience of the town. It has a lot of open space as a result of the decisions taken by its founders all those years ago. It is also small enough that it still has a good number of independent shops. In particular, it has David's bookshop, an Aladdin's cave for any bibliophile, with its extensive range of both new and second-hand books and numerous special events and promotions. It is sometimes difficult to see through the shop window for all the notices outside - it is the place to find out what's going on in the town.

It's also small enough that people know each other and this was brought home to me when I was laid up after my accident two years go. I could not have coped without the help and assistance of many people, many of whom I only knew casually, perhaps only by sight, but whose instinctive reaction was to offer to help. The town has a very strong community spirit of the type that I had previously thought no longer existed.

Finally, it's close enough to London to make commuting easy (although I suspect that was not the intention of its founders!) but far enough away to have retained its own identity and not to feel subsumed within Greater London.

"Please to remember the 5th of November, gunpowder, treason and plot . . .

. . . I see no reason why gunpowder treason should ever be forgot." Traditional

20 Questions (No. 110)

The answers to the music quiz in the September issue were an itsy bitsy teeny weeny yellow polka dot bikini, Holiday Inn, medicinal compound, downtown, enough germs to catch pneumonia, she wrote me a letter said she couldn't live without me no more, only the lonely, 40 cents, Ernie, poetry in motion, it stood ninety years on the floor, paint it black, Sue, number 9, Righteous Brothers, 1965, Nancy Sinatra, honky tonk woman, Peter, Paul and Mary, and the twist. Thanks to Michael Warren of Derby, Pamela Covey of Woburn, Tony Howard of Mablethorpe, D W Dell of Leighton Buzzard, Andy Cole of Cleethorpes, Don Foster of Nottinghamshire, Geraldine Johnson of Derby, Sue Barker of Bury and Helene Parry of Brentford for entering. The winner, picked at random from all correct entries, was Michael; a £10 national book token is on its way.

As St Andrew's Day is this month, we have a Scottish themed quiz for you. Send your answers to '20 Questions (No. 110)', [Address], to arrive by 20th November.

1. Which king was the father of Mary, Queen of Scots?

2. How many letters are there in the Gaelic alphabet?

3. In which city was singer Annie Lennox born?

4. On which island is former labour party leader John Smith buried?

5. In which year was Sean Connery knighted?

6. In which castle was Princess Margaret born?

7. A curling stone is made from what material?

8. Love Street is the home of which Scottish football club?

9. What is the second highest mountain in Scotland?

10. Who wrote the novel 'Trainspotting'?

11. A caber is made from the trunk of which type of tree?

12. When is Burns Night?

13. How many locks are there on the Caledonian canal?

14. In which year was William Wallace executed?

15. What is the northernmost point on the Scottish mainland?

16. On which island is Fingals Cave?

17. What does the word 'aber' mean in a Scottish place name?

18. The Forth Rail Bridge opened in which year?

19. In which month is the Glasgow marathon run?

20. What was Deacon Blue's first top ten hit?