Autumn Charity Ball

Saturday 18th October 2008

Enjoy an evening of fine dining and ballroom, latin and disco dancing at the Rutland Square Hotel in Nottingham (opposite castle entrance)

Arrival 7.30pm for 8.00pm

Menu

Carrot and coriander soup served with roll and butter

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Baked supreme of chicken filled with asparagus mousse
served with sun blushed tomato cream

Puff pastry bouchee filled with sautéed leeks, cream and brie (V)

- both accompanied by potatoes and seasonal vegetables -

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ganache chocolate truffle torte

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Coffee and mints

The evening will include a charity draw with top prize of an adventure day for two people

Dress code black tie/smart

Carriages 2.00am

Tickets £29 with £5 from each sale going to Cancer Research UK

To book please contact Maxine on [Phone Number] or [Email]

Regional News

I hope that those who attended the British Mensa Annual Gathering in Liverpool last month had a good time and are now looking forward to next year's event that will take place in Bristol the first weekend in October 2009. Keep an eye on the web site at www.mensa.org.uk as details are finalised. In the meantime the Scottish Mensa Annual Gathering takes place in Edinburgh 10th-13th October 2008 with the theme of festivals. For further details please contact Diane Salter at the Mensa office on 01902-772771 or [Email] - but be quick as bookings are about to close as you read this!

Following the success of the Space Science Day held in Leicester earlier this year there will be a Forensic Science Day on Saturday 22nd November. The venue is Huddersfield University where the head forensic scientist and their team will be teaching Mensa members a basic understanding in the theoretical and practical aspects of this fascinating subject. The cost is £27.50 per adult and £22.50 per child (under 18) and includes several lectures and hands-on practical sessions, all materials and protective clothing, buffet lunch and morning/afternoon refreshments. Due to the nature of the activities the number of participants is limited to 50. As we had 80 attendees at the previous event, be sure to book sooner rather than later to guarantee a place. Details can be found at www.mensa.org.uk or contact either Diane Salter or myself.

This month we have our usual selection of local events including pub socials, restaurant meals, theatre visits, walks, exhibitions. Remember, your Local Secretary is a volunteer and hosts events for love not money so do pop along and say hello if you can. Or contact them with suggestions for future events and/or offers of help.

I'm on 01773-715330 or maxine@maruba-events.com. I'd love to hear from you!

Maxine Bates

Regional Officer

Events and Meetings

photo of Jo Sidebottom

Mensans in MK & Bedford

On Thu 2nd Oct at 8.00pm - FThOTM

Just our two regular monthly meetings in October. First Thursday is at our regular venue of Jury's Inn on Midsummer Boulevard, on 2nd October, from 8.00pm. Look out for the Mblem in either the foyer or the bar - most likely the foyer as it's quieter. Parking is a bit busy around Jury's and The Hub, so we usually try and get in across the road and then walk through the underpass.

On Wed 15th Oct at 8.00pm - 3WOTM

Our Third Wednesday meeting at the Old Beams in Shenley Lodge is on 15th October. 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. You can eat or not, as you wish - their food is quite good and reasonably priced. If it's fine, we may be outside, otherwise look around for the Mblem as we don't always get the same table.

Hope to see you there,

Jo Sidebottom

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

photo of Richard Allen

Hertfordshire Happenings

On Thu 2nd Oct at 8.15pm - FThOTM

Our regular First Thursday of the month meeting at the Millstream, Cambridge Road, Hitchin, will be on 2nd October at 8.15pm. Good food and good beer both available! Call me on for more details and encouragement. The pub is about ten minutes' walk from the railway station. Sadly, there are very few evening buses in the area.

On Fri 31st Oct at 8.00pm - LFOTM

On Friday 31st October at 8.00pm we are returning to our former haunt, the White Horse, for our LFOTM as the Prince of Wales is presently closed. A warm welcome and stimulating conversation guaranteed! Look for the Mag/Mblem. Hertingfordbury is about 20 minutes' walk from Hertford North station. Contact Gwen on [Phone Number] or me, as below, for further details and encouragement.

In addition, I should be at the Bedford beer festival (8-11th October) at some point - if you're interested in coming, let me know!

Richard Allen

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

Derby Diary

On Wed 15th Oct at 7.30pm - 3WOTM

It's probably time to light the aga and the wood-burning stove again but, who knows, we might be having an Indian summer. Either way, it's also time to join us at the meetings we have planned for this month in your area, so why not come along? The '3rd Wednesday' meeting at the Standing Order in Derby falls on the 15th so why not join us there any time from 7.30pm for a meal or just a drink if you prefer. Just look for the yellow Mblem on one of the tables at the back or for all the tables pushed together, that'll probably be us.

On Mon 20th Oct at 7.00pm - At Home

On Monday the 20th I'll be having my 'at home' down here in Golden Valley so please join us for food, drink and (even if I say so myself) excellent company, plus the usual chat and option of board games. As always, if you want some encouragement to attend one of these meetings, advertise one of your own or just want to say hello, then please call or email me as above.

In the meantime, if you enjoy crafting and would like to join a small group who meet on Tuesday evenings and Wednesday mornings in Langley Mill, please contact me for more details. Though not strictly a Mensa event, you'd be more than welcome!

Merry Metcalf

photo of Jenny Habib

Berkhamsted

On Wed 29th Oct at 7.45pm - LWOTM

On Wednesday 29th October we will meet at La Vina, 69 High Street, Tring HP23 4AB at 7.45pm-ish. This is a new venue, recommended by members, so do come and try it! Due to poker night at the Crown at Ley Hill we do not want to meet there when it is too chilly to sit outside. La Vina does not demand that we eat, and our under 18 members will be allowed in!

Jenny Habib

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

photo of Maxine Bates

Notts News

On Sun 5th Oct at 8.00pm - 5OTM

Join me at the Vat & Fiddle from 8.00pm on Sunday 5th where I shall be recovering from a hectic weekend of ballroom dancing and rollercoaster riding. A strange combination, I know! The pub is on Queensbridge Road diagonally opposite Nottingham railway station and close to Broad Marsh bus station. There's also free parking right outside. Look for the yellow Mblem to left of bar.

Talking of dancing . . . around a dozen of us attend a dance class each Thursday from 8.30pm-9.30pm in Chilwell. Cost is £4. Learn how to waltz, cha cha cha, quickstep, jive, tango, samba, foxtrot and rumba. We are currently seeking a female beginner to partner one of our group. For further info please call me.

On Wed 8th Oct at 7.00pm - Chicks & Flicks

We have our regular visit to Nando's chicken restaurant followed by a film at Cineworld on Wednesday 8th. Meet at 7.00pm prompt inside the doors to the Cornerhouse in the city centre. Contact Paul on [Phone Number] or [Email] for how to get discount at both venues and/or for film options.

On Sat 18th Oct at 7.30 pm - Autumn Charity Ball

Please see the ad for an Autumn Charity Ball at the Rutland Square Hotel on Saturday 18th October in aid of Cancer Research UK. Tickets cost a reasonable £29 for an evening of fine dining and dancing with £5 from each sale going to this worthwhile cause. Please book by 4th when I need to confirm numbers with the hotel.

On Tue 28th Oct at 7.30pm - Eating meeting

This month's eating meeting is at Moomba Australian restaurant in Loughborough at 7.30pm on Tuesday 28th. Please see the Leicester section for details. Next month we return to Notts and will be having an early festive feast on Tuesday 25th November at the Horse & Groom in Moorgreen where a three course meal costs just £12.99. Pre-booking is essential. For menu and to check availability please contact me as above.

Ciao for now!

Maxine Bates

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

photo of Sue Watford

Leicestershire Letter

On Tue 28th Oct at 7.30pm - Eating meeting

There will be no last Saturday of the month meeting in October; instead we're joining Maxine's group as their regular eating meeting travels to Loughborough this month. So join us at 7.30pm on Tuesday 28th for a taste of Australia at Moomba restaurant in The Rushes. If you've ever wanted to try crocodile kebab, ostrich fillet or kangaroo pie, now's your chance! Simpler and vegetarian options are also available. Menu at www.moomba-restaurant.com. Please book your place with Maxine by 24th.

Sue Watford

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

photo of Jacquie Harrison

Lincoln

On Sat 11th Oct at 7.00pm - Chinese meal

We have a lot of members around what I call the South Wolds area of Lincolnshire and I thought it may be a good idea to have an evening meeting in the area before winter sets in. Some of us have enjoyed the Beijing Dragon before and it has really friendly, helpful staff. Join us at 7.00pm on Saturday 11th October - all very welcome - but please let me know on [Phone Number] if you hope to be there so we can book a suitable table. I can also offer 2 people lifts from Lincoln if you let me know.

Jacquie Harrison

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

photo of Ian Sargent

Northants NNotes

On Thu 2nd Oct at 9.00pm - FThOTM

First Thursday of the month sees the first Northants meeting of the month: 2nd October at 9.00pm. Guess what! Yes, it's at the Fox & Hounds in Harlestone. If you don't know where that is by now you haven't been trying very hard. As ever, look for a copy of the Mensa mag on one of the tables to find out where we are.

On Thu 16th Oct at 9.00pm - Roadshow

The Roadshow meeting is on Thursday 16th October at 9.00pm and we are off on our travels again. This month we'll be checking out The Coffee Pot, High Street, Yardley Gobion. The village lies just to the west of the A508 a couple of miles north of the Buckinghamshire border (though 25 years ago the High Street was the A508). Once again, a Mensa mag will give away our position though I hope that we will be able to grab the window seats to the right of the front door.

On Sat 25th Oct at 11.00am - Walk

And finally, we are going to have another attempt at a walk. This was scheduled for June but the dodgy weather forecast on the day put paid to it. Saturday 25th October is the last day of British Summer Time so why not take the opportunity to stretch your legs with a 5 mile stroll around Hollowell Reservoir. Meet up outside the Ward Arms in Guilsborough at 11.00am - which is where we'll be taking lunch afterwards. Like last time, it's dependant on decent weather so best to give me a call before you set out.

We're always looking for new Roadshow venues so if there's a pub in your area that you'd like to recommend please get in touch.

Ian Sargent

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

photo of Val Hinkins

Mid Bucks

On Sat 1st Nov at 3.00pm - Snozzcumbers Exhibition & Meal

Our October meeting has slipped into 1st November - or the 32nd of October if you prefer. Snozzcumbers & Frobscottle! A free exhibition of original artwork drawn by Quentin Blake for 16 of Roald Dahl's books. Examples start in 1978 with their earliest collaboration, The Enormous Crocodile. Over 80 drawings include material from The Witches, The BFG and Matilda.

This is the last day of the exhibition, which is at Aylesbury Museum. See www.buckscc.gov.uk for further details. Meet at the Museum entrance at 3.00pm. Afterwards we will eat at Carlos's Portuguese Restaurant, near the Museum in Temple Street. The menu includes a wide range of sea food and a good selection of vegetarian options as well as more conventional meat and fish dishes.

I will need to make a booking for the meal, so please contact me, as above, by Sunday 26th October to let me know you are coming.

Val Hinkins

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

Luton & Dunstable

On Sat 11 Oct at 7.30pm - 2SaOTM Eating Meeting

For SSOTM we return to the Pre Hotel Restaurant, Redbourn Road, St Albans, Herts, AL3 6JZ , on Saturday 11th October. Meet in the bar about 7.30pm to eat at 8.30pm. All welcome, for good food and chat. Book by Tuesday 7th at latest, please. I will try to get the room we had last time, but numbers are limited. Email or call me or, on the night ONLY if you get lost, Andy on [Phone Number]. Look for Mblem.

Les Draper Eames

T@3

Mark, Judith, Derek, Duncan, Kay, Val, Helen and Neil enjoying Tea@3 after exploring the caves at West Wycombe. Photo by Peter Sadd.
Tea@3 for Lively Lincs was held in Botts Coffee Shop in Crowders garden centre on the main road into Horncastle, Lincolnshire.
The Notts group earned their Tea@3 by completing a circular five mile walk around D H Lawrence country before returning to Mintons Tea Rooms, adjacent to Greasley Church in Moorgreen.
 

When the right words are hard to find

Mike won a flight in a Microlight.

Part of good communication is finding the right words to convey the message to its intended recipient(s). Your editor thought she'd found an interesting story for you but didn't find quite the right words to obtain it - as you'll see in the following email exchange.

August 6th: Rosie to Mike G., cc'ing LMN's editor

Hi Mike

Jo Sidebottom tells me you won the Experience voucher from the MK weekend and sent me the photo of you next to the microlight. Yes, I would like to use the photo thanks, and yes, I shall send you a copy (electronic) of the newsletter in which it appears; it's too late to go into September's, that's gone to press, so it would be October's at the earliest. Would you write a paragraph (or more if you wish) about your experience that I may include with your photo?

Helene may be interested too for LMN.

Cheers

Rosie

August 6th: Mike to Rosie

How about something like:

Mike G. from Croydon won a microlight flight at the Milton Keynes weekend without being there. He responded to an email asking people to buy raffle tickets via a website. Some time later he got another email from Jo Sidebottom, saying he had won the second prize of an experience voucher. He decided on this option rather than bungee jumping, learning to pole dance, or the various others available.

Mike G.

August 7th: Rosie to Mike

Very nice description of your experience of winning a voucher - thank you. Would you care to add a description of your experience of flying in a microlight?

Rosie

I heard nothing more, Empress Readers, so please imagine for yourselves the pleasure/terror/boredom* of taking-off/flying/landing* in a microlight; what you felt/saw/experienced* while gazing down on the lakes/hills/villages* as you flew over our beautiful countryside; and forgive your editor for not finding the right words to get a first-hand account for you.

*choose words as appropriate to your imagination

20 Questions (No. 85)

The answers to the August quiz were Ace Of Base, Grease, Milton Keynes, Eddie Cochran, Home And Away, Willy Russell, Aristotle, Hop Back, Wally, Oxford, Albert Hammond (Free Electric Band), aestivation, bread, LaDonna Gaines, Beijing, Dylan Thomas, 1997, Danny Boy, Beltane and DeMontfort Hall. Mostly totally correct entries were received from Chris Benger of Bedfordshire, Geraldine Ellis of Nottingham, Michael Warren of Derby, Chris Newbold of Quorn, Mike Hadley of Lutterworth, Roger Lord of Aylesbury, Richard Pecout of Hertfordshire, Chris Impey of Tring, Rita Beeson of Bedfordshire, Philip Abbott of Watford and Don Foster of Notts. Michael was drawn at random and wins the £10 voucher.

Last month a group of East Midlands Mensans took a cruise so this month our quiz theme is cruising. Send your entry to '20 Questions (No. 85)', [Address], to arrive by 20th October stating if you'd prefer to receive a £10 Leisure Voucher or £10 National Book Token if the winner.

1. On which date was the QE2 launched?

2. The company name NCL stands for what?

3. Which ship came to the rescue of Titanic survivors?

4. Is starboard to the left or right side of a ship?

5. The Blue Ribband is awarded for the fastest crossing of what by a passenger ship?

6. Which port is nearest to the city of Florence?

7. 'POSH' is a nautical term. What do the letters stand for?

8. Which actress portrayed Molly Brown in James Cameron's 1997 film 'Titanic'?

9. The P&O Canberra ship served as a floating hospital during which war?

10. Which dessert is traditionally paraded by waiters on cruise ships?

11. Where is the Queen Mary now moored as a floating hotel?

12. A red stripe on an epaulet signifies the officer belongs to which department?

13. What are passengers obliged by law to do within 24 hours of embarkation?

14. In which year was the film 'Carry On Cruising' released?

15. The emergency signal consists of how many blasts of the ship's whistle?

16. What term is the opposite of windward?

17. Which celebrity chef has a restaurant aboard the Ocean Village ships?

18. A half red and half white flag divided vertically signals who is aboard?

19. Which shipyard built the ill-fated Titanic ship?

20. Which cruise line owns the QE2, QM2 and Queen Victoria ships?