Janine and Sandy's "At home" event in Mackworth, Derby took place on Saturday 11th August. Lots of tea and cake in the garden while enjoying a fine summery day.
 

Regional News

This month sees the British Mensa Annual Gathering taking place in Plymouth. Unfortunately I'll be unable to attend as I've been summoned for jury service at that time. I asked for feedback from friends who have already done that and from all their responses it will either be a tedious or traumatic experience!! The timing is inconvenient for my work, home and social life but there will never be a suitable time without causing disruption. Empress would welcome your thoughts on your own jury service or your visit to the Annual Gathering.

If you would be interested in becoming an Empress editor we are still seeking a third person to help Maria and Mark. There are also still vacancies for the position of Local Officer for Leicester, Luton and Northampton. The role can take as much or as little of your time as you wish to spare and is a great way to make new friends locally. Some of my closest friends are those I've met through my years of looking after Nottingham Mensa. Why not give it a try? If you think having a title is too scary then you're more than welcome to just host an occasional event. Perhaps something you're doing anyway but would be a bit better with company? A couple of months ago we also appealed for someone to take on the new role of Family Officer in the region. Ideally an adult Mensan with a child who is also a member. Or at least a parent who is a member who would be interested in co-ordinating some events suitable for families and junior members. Please get in touch with myself if you would like further information on any of these volunteer roles.

I'm on [Phone Number] or [Email]

Maxine Bates

Regional Officer

Editorial

Welcome to the October Edition of Empress. Any good memories from the last summer holidays? I must say that we have endured a very non-British summer this year.nice, dry, hot, sunny. I even tanned a little bit before flying to Spain! There are lots of events happening this month, starting with the Annual Gathering taking place in Plymouth, and it would be lovely to see as many of you as possible enjoying them. I also have a few photos from summer events. Hopefully the reviews will encourage more shy members to attend. Enjoy the reading.

Maria Falces

Events and Meetings

In Leicestershire

On Mon 15th Oct at 8:00pm - Pub Social

Join us for our usual convivial third Monday of the Month gathering at the Cradock Arms, 201 Knighton Road, Leicester, LE2 3TT. We usually gather in the lower part towards the rear of the bar. Look out for the magazine or Mblem. For directions or encouragement please contact me on [Phone Number] or by email at [Email].

On Sat 27th Oct at 7:00pm - Evening meal

We are back to our usual pub meal and this month the pub is the Soar Bridge inn, 29 Bridge Street, Barrow upon Soar, Loughborough LE12 8PN Booking in advance is essential so please contact me by Mon 22nd Oct to let me know that you are joining us. Telephone [Phone Number] or e-mail [Email]

Lively Lincs

On Sat 13th Oct at 12:00pm - Pub discussion

Our regular Second Saturday meeting at the Adam & Eve Tavern, 25 Lindum Road, LN2 1NT (opposite Pottergate Arch). We'll have a discussion around: "Why do people believe absurd conspiracy theories?" Car park, pub food, all welcome. Find us in the alcove, Magazine on the table. Contact Jacquie on [Phone Number] or [Email] for encouragement or more details.

On Tue 23rd Oct at 7:00pm - Thai meal

We return to the excellent Thailand No.1 restaurant at 80-81 Bailgate, LN1 3AR (almost opposite Gordon Road, where there is a car park). All welcome, and you can bring a guest. Please book with Jacquie no later than Saturday morning, 20th Oct, on [Phone Number] or [Email]. Hope to see you there.

Jacquie Harrison

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

photo of Maxine Bates

Notts News

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

Not at the British Mensa Annual Gathering? Then pop along to the Vat & Fiddle on Queensbridge Road (NG2 1NB) for an evening of drinks and chit chat. The pub is a 1930s brewery tap serving Castle Rock beers and a variety of other alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Look for yellow Mblem on the table. Contact Maxine on [Phone Number] or [Email] for directions/encouragement to join us.

On Thu 11th Oct at 7:30pm - Natter & Nosh

Our '2nd Thursday' get together at The Cadland, High Road, Chilwell, NG9 5EG. We have a large table reserved at the far side of the bar. Look for yellow Mblem on table. Menu at www.emberinns.co.uk or join us later for just a drink. Further info from Pen on [Phone Number] or [Email] or just turn up on the night.

On Tue 16th Oct at 7:00pm - 3TuOTM

Join us for food and/or drink at The Prince Rupert pub on Stodman Street in Newark (NG24 1AW). Look for yellow Mblem on table or contact Pete on [Phone Number] or [Email] beforehand for directions or encouragement to come along. Pop in briefly or stay all evening. New faces welcome!

On Tue 23rd Oct at 6:30pm - Ten Pin Bowling

We're going bowling at Tenpin, Clifton Boulevard, NG7 2UW (near QMC) and it's 50% off games and selected drinks today! One game of bowling £3.98 adults or £3.23 children (age 2-16). Must be booked in advance. Please contact Maxine on [Phone Number] or [Email] by 16th latest so reservations can be made. Food and drink available at the venue plus optional pool tables too. All ages welcome!

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

On the eve of Halloween we return for some goulish goulash at Ania Polish restaurant, 558 Mansfield Road, Sherwood, NG5 2FS. Large portions of tasty authentic Polish cuisine at very reasonable prices. Please reserve your place with Maxine on [Phone Number] or [Email] by 23rd as the restaurant is very popular.

Ciao for now!

Maxine Bates

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

News from Northampton

On Sat 13th Oct at 10:30am - Pub Walk

Ashby, Welton, Watford Village. 9km (2 hrs 20 min - long) or 6.5km (1hr 45 mins - short). Lovely mixed walk, footpaths, canal and Jurassic Way. Also Church and Manor House. Meet at 'The Olde Coach House', Main Road, Ashby St Legers, Rugby CV23 8UN* OS 222 (568 682) Drink afterwards at 1.00. *Possible sat-nav problem? For help or encouragement [Phone Number][Email]

On Sun 14th Oct at 10:30am - Brunch

Our usual breakfast/brunch meeting will be at the Rendezvous Coffee Shop in Market Walk, Northampton Town Centre. Pete will be offering another, simpler quiz (we hope) and the discussion topic will be: if we changed our name, what ideally would we choose? Contact Marianne on [Phone Number] or email: [Email] for encouragement.

On Sat 20th Oct at 11:00am - Walk

Enjoy a three-mile stroll (weather permitting) from Weedon offering some lovely varied scenery(notwithstanding the sewage works and cemetery). Meet at the village centre car park (FREE!) in Bridge Street and take lunch afterwards at the Plume of Feathers. Contact Ian at [Email]

photo of Richard Allen

Hertfordshire Happenings

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

As ever, we are at the Three Magnets, Leys Avenue, Letchworth! Thursday nights are curry nights but other food (standard Wetherspoons' fare) is available as well. Leys Avenue is the main shopping street in Letchworth and is a few minutes' walk from the station (Kings Cross to Cambridge line). Call me on [Phone Number] for more details and encouragement.

On Fri 26th Oct at 8:00pm - LFOTM

As ever, we are at the Cowper Arms, Digswell. The pub is next to Welwyn North station and is served by stopping trains from Kings Cross to Peterborough and Cambridge. Good food, beer and conversation guaranteed! Please call me on [Phone Number] for more details and encouragement.

Richard Allen

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

photo of Jo Sidebottom

Mensans in MK & Bedford

On Wed 10th Oct at 6:00pm - Meal & cinema

Join us for a meal at one of the stadium restaurants, followed by a film at the Odeon to be decided by consensus. Contact Jo at [Email], or [Phone Number] / [Phone Number] for directions/encouragement and confirmation of restaurant.

On Mon 15th Oct at 8:15pm - 3MOTM Quiz

Our monthly quiz outing to The Barge at Woolstone. Meet from 8.15 for a 8.30pm start - cost is £1 per person. Please let me know if you are coming so I know if we will be one team or two. Contact Jo at [Email], or [Phone Number] / [Phone Number] for directions/encouragement.

On Sun 28th Oct at 10:00am - Breakfast

Join us as we return to Brown's on Midsummer Blvd (next to Jury's Inn) from 10am for a full breakfast, a snack, or just a drink. Look out for the Mblem on a table. Contact Jo at [Email], or [Phone Number] / [Phone Number] for directions/encouragement.

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 Val Hinkins

Mid Bucks

On Mon 8th Oct at 8:00pm - Indoor Games

Join Dave and Alison at their home in Flackwell Heath, near High Wycombe, for a relaxed evening of indoor board games. All members and friends welcome. Space is limited, so please contact Dave for directions and to discuss what games you would like to play on [Phone Number] or by e-mail at [Email]

On Fri 12th Oct at 10:30am - Coffee & Chat

Coffee at Costa on Chesham High Street. No need to book, but if you want to let me know you are coming please call me on [Phone Number] or e-mail me at [Email]

On Sun 28th Oct at 11:00am - Chiltern Walk

Meet me on the train which leaves Princes Risborough at 11am. We will get off at Little Kimble station and walk for about 7 miles back to Princes Risborough, stopping for lunch at Askett Garden Centre. I will need to book a table for lunch, so please ring me on [Phone Number] or e-mail me at [Email] by Sunday 21st October to let me know you are coming.

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 Susan Graves

Derby Diary

On Sat 13th Oct at 12:30pm - Lunch

Join us in the Gateway Bar of the Rutland Arms Hotel, The Square, Bakewell (DE45 1BT) for lunch or pop in for a drink to say hello. Look for a yellow Mblem on a table. Main meals or sandwiches/jacket potatoes. Please book by Thursday 11th for food. Contact Susan on [Phone Number] or [Email].

On Sat 13th Oct at 2:00pm - Museum

Follow on from lunch or join us separately at Bakewell Old House Museum (DE45 1DD). An original Tudor dwelling with artefacts telling the story of the Peak District and beyond. Cost is Adult: £5, Child (5-16): £2.50. Park in town and walk (steep hill). Meet at the entrance. Contact Susan on [Phone Number] or [Email]

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

We'll be on a long table in the rear section of the Standing Order (Wetherspoon) pub on Iron Gate. Look for the yellow Mblem. Drop in briefly or stay all evening for food and/or drink and chat. New faces especially welcome. Contact Susan on [Phone Number] or [Email] for directions and encouragement

On Fri 19th Oct at 7:00pm - Ilkeston Fair

Join us for a visit to the Charter Fair which takes place throughout the centre of Ilkeston Soak up the atmosphere, and try a ride or two. Weather dependent. Contact Susan on [Phone Number] or [Email] for meeting point.

Susan Graves

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

Baby news

Pen Penny holding her grandaughter

Pen Penny's second granddaughter was born on Thursday 16th August (her parents 10th wedding anniversary!) at the Royal Alexander Hospital, Paisley, and weighed 8lbs.

Mother and baby were doing fine but a name had not been yet decided when this issue went to the printer.

I am sure that if you meet her this month she will be willing to tell you everything about it, including the new name.

I did suggested a lovely Spanish name such as "Maria".

Lakes Party Weekend

Cumbria Fri 2-Mon 5 Nov

A weekend based at Whinfell Forest CenterParcs in the beautiful Lake District. 3 nights accommodation, 3 parties, help yourself bar all weekend, cocktail of the day, unlimited access to the swimming dome, walks, quizzes, cheese and wine tastings, board games, bingo, firework display and much more. Join in as much or as little as you like.

Cost from £150 per person.

Full details at www.maruba-events.com.

Check availability with Maxine on [Phone Number].

20 Questions (No. 204)

The summery answers from the August quiz were Bryan Adams, Home And Away, 3, eté, Grease, Holmfirth, 21st June, Dylan Thomas, summertime and the livin' is easy, Iceland, 1970, December/January/February, Wiltshire, Beijing, Bleak House, Ace Of Base, The Pope, Sonnet 18, Boston and Scotland. Congratulations to Nigel Bryant of Bedford.

This month's quiz is compiled by Jo Sidebottom and the subject is animals. Send your answers to arrive by 20th October to [Address] or [Email] for your chance to win the £10 book token.

1. What type of creature is a tanager?

2. Which singer, who died in 1963, was nicknamed the "Little Sparrow"?

3. Which dinosaur name translates to mean "three-horned face"?

4. A taipan is what type of creature?

5. Marengo was the horse of which famous soldier?

6. At what age does a filly become a mare?

7. Which group had a hit in the 1970s with "Crazy Horses"?

8. What was the name of Tonto's horse?

9. What is the world's largest rodent?

10. What is the name of the dog in the comic strip The Perishers?

11. Muskie and Vince assisted which cartoon law enforcer?

12. The gharial is a species of which reptile?

13. What was the name of the first dog in space?

14. What is the world's largest turtle?

15. What is the collective name for a group of kangaroos?

16. In mythology what was the name of the female monster with the head of a lion, body of a goat and tail of a serpent?

17. The Shih Tzu dog was first bred in which country?

18. How many stomachs does a cow have?

19. In the musical Annie, what is Annie's dog called?

20. What bird is known as "the butcher's bird"?