EMPRESS

Regional News

That heatwave of the summer already seems a long time ago. Now we're no longer moaning that it's too hot, but instead wondering whether we can afford to switch on the heating! So why not save on your gas and electricity and go out to keep warm at the pub/restaurant with us instead!? Other events are also available, of course.

I'm compiling a list of activities we can do next year so if you have suggestions to add please do get in touch with either myself or your Local Officer. I'd be particularly interested to hear if you would be willing to give a talk on your specialist subject or have access to a behind the scenes visit. We have purchased some more treasure trails so they will continue for a while as are proving quite popular. Some are being combined with a meal afterwards or used as part of a full day of events in a certain location. There are regional funds available if required to make special events happen.

Remember all events are hosted by volunteers and can be arranged by any member. So that means YOU! If you are doing something anyway - whether that is a pub quiz or walk or hobby - and would fancy some company it's easy to invite others. Just get in touch with me to arrange. You might make some lifelong friends by doing it!

I'm on [Phone Number] or [Email] and happy to hear from you.

Maxine Bates

Regional Officer

Editorial

Welcome to the November edition of Empress. If you have not already done so then please let the office (membership@mensa.org.uk) know your email address. The regional newsletters are now sent electronically, so it is vital that the office can contact you via email.

Mark Sloan

A Day Out to Skegness

On Sunday 18th September a small group of us enjoyed a day at the seaside. The purpose of our visit to Skegness was to meet Frank Forster who lives in the town and is our oldest member in the East Midlands region aged 95 and with whom several of us have been corresponding since the first lockdown.

Attempt number one to meet up in 2021 was thwarted when Frank was admitted to hospital. We still had a lovely day out but without our guest of honour! When the Queen's death was announced we thought attempt number two would be cancelled, but luckily the funeral was arranged for the Monday and not the weekend of our visit. This was fortunate as Michael and I had booked to stay in a hotel near Frank in order to meet up for a cuppa and chat the previous day. It was lovely to finally meet each other! Unfortunately some members were unable to make that date and others had to drop out at the last minute due to illness so in the end just six of us met on the Sunday morning. I had given the option of visiting Skegness Aquarium or Natureland Seal Sanctuary and, although we had visited Natureland last year, we chose to visit again as it is a family run attraction and many other cute and comical animals are there. Our arrival was perfect for feeding time of the seals and baby seals. We could then view a few rescued seals in their hospital. Then more cuteness with the meerkats, fairy penguins, alpacas, sheep and laughter watching Henry the goat trying to eat everything in sight. Best to keep your hats and bags well out of the way when feeding him! There was also an aquarium, reptile house and tropical butterfly house. Excellent value for money and suitable for all ages.

After a couple of hours with the animals we stopped for ice cream on the Victorian pier before passing through the amusements and pleasure beach to reach the famous 'jolly fisherman' statue for a photo opportunity. We all agreed fish and chips would be a traditional meal for the seaside so we headed to one of the many restaurants near the clock tower. Frank kindly invited us back to his home so we continued chatting over a nice cup of tea. It was a really lovely day out and thanks to Geraldine, Graham, Michael and Pete for travelling from Notts and Derbys to join us. Hopefully those who couldn't make it this year will be able to join us in 2023.

Maxine

A Long Time Ago

A short story by Frank Forster

It was a warm sunny summer afternoon as the old fellow drove over the bridge and entered the village. At first it looked as if little had changed over the years. On his right the red brick Victorian school which he attended, and his brother and mother before him, in her case leaving before the turn of the century. On the other side the terrace of two storeys one room accommodation for the elderly and poor of the village. On reaching the crossroads change became obvious. The Elizabethan 'Old Hall', a residence when he lived there, was now a retirement home. Then on both sides buildings which had been business premises were altered, made more obvious by the fact there were now no big windows. He recalled just how many shops had once been there, certainly far more than any other village for many miles around, and enough to draw trade from those villages. Nearing the centre he slowed down and came to a halt near the post office. It was still in business but a long time had passed since about six postmen began their days work there. Now the post office counter was a small space at the back of the shop. This was the only shop remaining where once there had been close on twenty. As he sat there, memories began to come into his mind, settling on a time about eighty years earlier, several years before the second world war. The period in his mind was when life in the countryside had a different pace ...

It was a midwinter, the days short and cold. In the previous week the children had gone to school in the bitter morning air, about three days earlier the snow had started, now there were a few inches over the surrounding fields. He awoke and realised it was Saturday morning so he could take his time, his father was already at work, a six day job at that time. It was quite late when he had finished his breakfast and put on plenty of warm clothes. What a perfect day he thought to get the small sled his father had made for him. This he duly did. The house was in the main street and no sooner had he got out than he met two or three others with similar ideas. As they walked along they were joined by others, some with sleds, so that by the time they had turned down the lane they numbered at least fifteen.

Over the railway crossing and clear of the village, they passed the field that was marshy with large puddles most of the year and in very frosty weather these froze to make great slides. The road was rising now, past the brick pits, then the osier bed. About half a mile further they reached the hamlet and took the road to the right, where it turned and began to drop down sharply, almost there now. On the left the ground had continued to rise and soon they were making their way over the fence. This was where the stream sprang from the ground, filling a cattle trough, home to a family of great crested newts in warmer months, then making its way under and over the road, winding round a copse, to the summer bathing place and thence further on under the bridge where we came into this tale.

Our boy was probably the youngest and certainly the smallest in the group as they climbed to the top of the slope. There he joined in the fun, sliding down, climbing up, sliding down. Just as they say, time flies when you're having fun, so they gave it no thought as they played on. Being midwinter the light began to fade and someone decided he was going to make his way home. At first they were all in a bunch but soon the older stronger ones got well ahead of the rest. Having such a wonderful time the boy had not realised just how tired he was. Now his steps began to slow and he found himself well behind and on his own. About a quarter of a mile from the village he decided he must have a rest and sat down on his sled somewhat dejectedly. Fortunately Billy Marvin who lived on that road came along from the direction of the hamlet. Realising what had happened he told the boy to tuck his feet up and taking the rope at the front of the sled pulled him all the way back to his home in the village. When we entered the house all his mother said was 'You are late', no remonstration. She had kept his midday meal hot in the oven, stew, and it was so good. The life began to creep back into him. The warm fire helped too.

... Bringing his mind back to the present, the man smiled to himself and thought 'I have never liked cold weather since then'. He started the car, slipped it into gear, and drove on.

20 Questions (No. 253)

The answers to our September competition were Ibiza, Dolly, Cressida Dick, Mustangs, Fusion, Cambridge, Sprite, COBRA, Discovery, Corolla, Fleetwood Mac, Blue Stratos, Camargue, Cobalt, Octavia, Touareg, Insignia, Legacy System, Ruby Tuesday and all the answers contain models of cars. Congratulations to Helene Parry of Brentford who wins the £10 One4All gift card!

Many thanks to Pamela Covey for compiling this month's competition on an Agatha Christie theme. They are anagrammed actors/actresses who have appeared in TV adaptations of both Poirot and Miss Marple stories. Possibly a tricky one? But it's the highest score that wins so you don't necessarily need 20 out of 20. Send your entries to arrive by 20th November to '20 Questions (No. 253)', [Address] or [Email] remembering to include your name and address so we know where to send the gift card if you win.