Diamond celebrations set to sparkle

Picture of Andy & Maxine

Brilliant organisers, Andy and Maxine, reflect on 3 years' preparations for Mensa's 60th birthday celebrations that will be held in Nottingham at the end of September. No carbon copy of any other AG, this gem of an occasion offers over 60 sparkling facets to enjoy. Will this Diamond be flawless? Join in and find out! More info on page 7 and at www.mensa.org.uk/diamond

This month's Empress is crammed to overflow with things to do in September. As well as all that is happening at the Diamond, our region's LocSecs are offering an amazing 26 other events. Enjoy!

Regional News

After three years of planning and organisation the Diamond is finally here! Whether you enjoy sightseeing, lectures, dining, quizzes, boardgames or just socialising we hope you will join us at the Britannia Hotel in Nottingham for all or part of the celebrations that run from 28th September to 2nd October. Please note, bookings close on 12th September. After this date you will be able to register at the Diamond itself to gain entry to over 40 free or pay-as-you-go events or enquire about any cancellations on pre-booked events. Don't miss the free Birthday Party on the Saturday night where 500 or so Mensans from around the world will be watching the specially designed indoor pyrotechnic and laser show at midnight as we enter the actual birthday of Mensa. Look at www.mensa.org.uk/diamond for the full programme of events, accommodation options, details of guest speakers, travel info and more.

The fun doesn't stop now we're 60 though! If you fancy a winter weekend break then do join us at the Oasis holiday village in the Lake District from Friday 1st to Monday 4th December for some relaxation, walking, sightseeing and partying. Be as active or lazy as you wish! The cost is £85 per place if you're quick and book by the end of August rising to £95 thereafter. This includes three nights accommodation in a twin or double room in a wooden lodge in the forest, unlimited access to the tropical water dome, option to join in the Mensa events programme, three buffet meals and three parties with free bar. What a bargain! Many East Midlands members have booked for the weekend so please contact me if you are looking for room shares or car shares and I'll do my best to help. I'm on [Phone Number] or [Email]. Also see the web site at www.mensaatoasis.co.uk

If you already have a 2007 diary then please note Saturday 17th February when we are holding our next regional event. This will be a charity winter ball with a four course meal followed by dancing at the Rutland Square Hotel in Nottingham city centre. Tickets cost £25 each with £5 from each sale going to the very worthwhile Cancer Research UK. The menu can be found on our web site at www.mensa.org.uk/eastmids, which has recently been given a revamp by our new Web Officer, Nick Stimpson.

Ciao for now!

Maxine Bates

Regional Officer

Events and Meetings

photo of Jo Sidebottom

Milton Keynes & Bedford

On Thu 7th Sep at 8.00pm - FTh: Movable Feast

Continuing our First Thursday Eating Meetings at The Dragon Boat Chinese Restaurant, Lloyds Court, Secklow Gate West (near centre of MK).  Booking essential by 5th.

On Wed 20th Sep at 8.00pm - 3WOTM

Join us at Wetherspoon's in Midsummer Boulevard, CMK (the one next to Chiquito's, NOT the Secklow Hundred).  Look for Mblem, probably in non-smoking area left of entrance.

On Sun 24th Sep at 2.00pm - Claydon House

Join us for a visit to Claydon House, Middle Claydon, nr Buckingham.  Entrance £5.50 for non-National Trust members. Meet by ticket office.

Contact me on [Phone Number] / [Phone Number] or [Email] for directions and encouragement.

Jo Sidebottom

photo of Richard Allen

Hertfordshire

On Sat 2nd Sep at 12.15pm - Knebworth House

Meet at the tea rooms for lunch, followed by a visit to the house and gardens. Children welcome! Call Helen Rees on [Phone Number] for further details and encouragement.

On Thu 7th Sep at 8.00pm - FThOTM - Royston

Monthly meeting at the Old Bull, High Street, Royston. Good food and good beer both available! Call Dan Ormsby on [Phone Number] or me on [Phone Number] for more details and encouragement.

On Sat 9th Sep at 11.00am - Leighton Buzzard Steam Railway

Join us at one of England's finest narrow gauge railways for Steam-Up weekend, where every available locomotive will be in steam. Meet at the car park. Ring me on [Phone Number] for further details and encouragement.

On Sun 10th Sep at 12.15pm - Moggerhanger House

2 miles west of Sandy, Beds. Meet at the tea rooms for lunch, and then visit the recently restored house. Call Helen on [Phone Number] for further details and encouragement.

On Tue 12th Sep at 7.30pm - Pub meal - Norton (just north of Letchworth)

Join me for our traditional meal, drink and good conversation at the Three Horse Shoes, Norton. Call Helen on [Phone Number] for further details and encouragement.

On Wed 13th Sep at 8.30pm - Pub Quiz at the Plume of Feathers, Little Wymondley (near Hitchin)

We've been competing regularly at the monthly quiz so why not come and join the fun? Food also available. Call Helen on [Phone Number] or me on [Phone Number] for further details and encouragement.

On Sat 16th Sep at 10.30am - Country Walk - Everton

Join us for a five mile walk in the pleasant Bedfordshire countryside starting and finishing at the Thornton Arms pub in Everton village, two miles north-east of Sandy. We'll finish with a pub lunch. Ring me on [Phone Number] for further details and encouragement.

On Sun 17th Sep at 1.30pm - Old Warden Vineyard, Bedfordshire

This vineyard is only open to visitors for a few weekends each year, so join us for a tour and a tasting session! Meet at the vineyard car park. Old Warden is about three miles west of Biggleswade. Ring me on [Phone Number] for further details and encouragement.

On Fri 29th Sep at 7.30pm - LFOTM - Hertingfordbury

Join us in the lounge of the White Horse to chill out at the end of the month. Look for the mag on the table. Ring Gwen on [Phone Number] or me on [Phone Number] for directions/encouragement. Meals available. We are considering changing the location to somewhere more easily reached by public transport, so if you have any suggestions, please do come along.

On Every Fri evening - Cinema - Stevenage

Helen goes to the cinema (Cineworld) in Stevenage Leisure Park on Friday evenings. With 16 screens there is usually plenty of choice! If you wish to join her please call her on [Phone Number] or [Phone Number].

As you can see, we in the Hertford area have plenty of activities for every taste, whether historical, on the rails, in the fresh air or enjoying products of the vine. Come and join us!

Richard Allen

High Wycombe & Amersham

On Sat 16th Sep at 10.45am - Boat Trip - Reading/Caversham

Please join me on the 11.00am sailing from Caversham bridge to Henley. The "cruise" by steam boat takes a little over 2 hours before reaching the bustling riverside town of Henley which boasts many pubs and restaurants. There is a return sailing to Reading at 4.15pm arriving at 6.30pm. Single fair is £8.40 return £12.80.

On Thu 21st Sep at 8.00pm - Pizza Restaurant - High Wycombe

Join me for a return visit to Ask in the High St. A popular pizza/pasta chain with friendly service for a pre-AG bite and chat. Please confirm your attendance by Tue 19th Sep by calling me on [Phone Number].

For some time I have planned a boat trip on the Thames. A couple of years ago I made an abortive attempt by going to Marlow one Saturday only to find that there were no sailings from Marlow on a Saturday. This time I have done my homework and plan to sail from Reading on Sat 16th Sep. It promises to be an interesting journey with much to see. Hopefully we may be joined by members from Berks and Oxon in the Central Region. As usual any Bucks members interested in attending but without transport are welcome to join me on a first come basis.

For those less inclined to travel I will be hosting a restaurant meeting in Wycombe on Thu 21st Sep at the popular Ask restaurant in the High Street. I know that some of you will be going to the Nottingham AG later in the month and it will give us an opportunity to discuss our plans. As always newcomers are welcome as are old friends. For logistical reasons I would like to know who is coming by Tue 19th as attendances have increased significantly in recent months.

Alistair Blackett

photo of Ian Sargent

Northants NNotes

On Wed 6th Sep at 9.00pm - Music Night

Tonight's meeting is at the Malt Shovel, Bridge Street, Northampton and we are going along for their music night. According to the pub's gig guide the band is The Two Timers. Those of you who are not driving will also be able to sample some of the ales that the pub is noted for. We may not be able to get a table so contact me in advance for meeting details.

On Thu 14th Sep at 9.00pm - Gregorian Calendar

Yes, we are back at the Dusty Fox in Harlestone again. Come and join the regulars, who will be debating whether the adoption of the Gregorian calendar on this day in 1752 was a good idea (and can we have those 11 days back, please?).

On Thu 28th Sep at 8.00pm - The Roadshow

We go to the south-west of Northamptonshire this month and visit the Barley Mow, High Street, Paulerspury. The village is just west of the A5, a few miles south of Towcester (but don't get it confused with nearby Potterspury!). It's our first visit to this pub so come along to see what it's like.

For the Harlestone and Paulerspury meetings look for the Mensa mag on a table in the main bar. Details and directions from [Phone Number] or [Email].

Ian Sargent

Leicestershire

On Sat 2nd Sep at 7.30pm - Drinks by the River

Come down to the riverside for drinks at The Otter, located on the A6 near Kegworth. Car parking is available. The pub serves a selection of traditional foods until 10.00pm. New members welcome - look for the magazine on our table! Email [Email] or phone [Phone Number] for directions.

Rebecca Mawby

photo of Tara Morgan

Dunstable

On Sat 23rd Sep at 11.00am - V is for Valley

Join us for an exhilarating walk taking in the Golden Valley, the Ashridge Estate and the Bridgewater Monument. A pretty straightforward walk though stout footwear is recommended. Meet at the road entrance to the Ashridge Monument on the B4506. Please contact me on [Email] or [Phone Number]

Tara Morgan

photo of Maxine Bates

Notts News

On Tue 5th Sep at 8.00pm - Monthly get together

Join us at the Vat & Fiddle pub on Queensbridge Road near the railway station. New and old faces of all ages welcome. Find out what we have planned for the coming months and bring along your ideas for winter events. Just look for the yellow Mblem on the table - usually to the left of the bar - or call me on [Phone Number] for directions.

On Wed 13th Sep at 7.00pm - "Chicks & Flicks" night

Meet promptly inside the doors to the Cornerhouse complex in the city centre. We'll decide which film to watch at Cineworld and purchase tickets before heading round the corner to Nando's restaurant. We are now able to book a table for parties of 10+ so please let us know if you are able to join us on [Phone Number] or [Email] . There's 10% discount on the meal for Cornerhouse card holders and 2-4-1 cinema tickets for Orange phone owners.

On Tue 26th Sep at 7.30pm - Postcode Pubcrawl

We have chosen a nice country location as some overseas visitors will be arriving early for the Diamond celebrations and may wish to join us. The venue is the Horse & Groom in Moorgreen, which is easy to find from either M1 J26 or J27. The village of Moorgreen is also home to locations used in some of D H Lawrence's novels. The pub offers an excellent menu of starters, light bites, main courses and desserts as well as a cocktail and mocktail (non-alcoholic) list. Join us for food at 7.30pm or later for just a drink and to take part in their general knowledge quiz, which starts at 9.15pm. And pick up another stamp for your "Postcode Pubcrawl" collector card with chance to win a prize at the end of the series of events.

Just our three regular events this month as we'll be a bit busy with the Diamond celebrations at the end of September.

Maxine Bates

St Albans

On Sun 3rd Sep at 7.30pm - FSuOTM

Yes there is still some Mensa life left in St Albans. Catch up on the holiday gossip before the new school year starts at [Address]. Entry by rattling the letterbox loudly! Encouragement, suggestions etc, on [Phone Number], [Email].

Alex Bell

Derby Doings

On Wed 20th Sep at 7.30pm - 3WOTM: Wit, Wisdom and Conversation

Our usual haunt, the Standing Order on Irongate, now has two large television screens in the main area. However, if people prefer them to the wit, wisdom and general conversation of our meetings then I think I'd better resign. More info on [Phone Number] or [Email]

Bernie Briggs

photo of Jenny Habib

Berkhamsted

On Wed 27th Sep at 7.45pm - LWOTM

The White Horse pub, Bourne End on the Hemel Hempstead Road (the old A41) half way between Hemel and Berkhamsted. Do come and chat, drink, or eat and be merry. We hope to meet sitting in the garden, or . . . . if it is too cold, in the non-smoking area. We have had some very interesting conversations lately. I do hope you will come and join us in September, and add your say to ours.

Jenny Habib

Answers to July's 20 Questions (No. 58)

Answers to the July opera quiz were New Zealand, Jose Carreras/Luciano Pavarotti/Placido Domingo, Beethoven, The Yeoman Of The Guard, Benjamin Britten, Merry, Turandot, Puccini, Tommy, Seville, The Threepenny Opera, Spoken dialogue, Oratorio, Guiseppe Verdi, Yorkshire, Tchaikovsky, Tenor/baritone/bass, The Ring Cycle (or Der Ring Des Nibelungen), Norma and La Scala. Entries poured through the letterbox from David Addison of Notts, Chris Impey of Herts, Chris Benger of Beds, June FitzGibbon of Lincs, Una Adams of Corby, Geraldine Johnson of Derby, M Etall of Watford, Freda Bramhill of Northampton, Peter Edwards of Herts, Rita Beeson of Beds, Leigh Reid of Leics, D W Dell of Leighton Buzzard, Eileen Day of St Albans, K A Scott of Watford, Melvyn Haynes of Northants, Jorj Malinowski of Lincs, David White of Notts, Stewart Barnfather of Notts, Andy Cole of Cleethorpes, Louise Jeffers of Herts, Alex Bell of St Albans, Tony Dodd of Belvoir, Marilyn Clark of Nottingham, Richard Pecout of Herts, Philip Abbott of Watford, Trudie Lazarus of Herts, Carol Wheatcroft of Derby and Vincent Carroll of Leics. With most people getting all answers correct the winner drawn at random was David White. Your Mensa logo mug is on its way to you!

photo of Rosie Jefferson

Editorial

Hi, I'm back in the Editor's chair but with so much going on in the East Midlands this month there's little room for me to talk to you. No room for a 'Meet . . .' this month either but, if you're going to the Diamond, you'll meet lots of new people for real, wont you? I hope to see you there. Please come up and say 'Hi' if you see me.

Rosie Jefferson Rosie's 'rose' logo

Just For Fun

Graphic of a birthday cake

Tick the box by each item that interests you:

Birthday Party

giant birthday cake

portrait photographer

Diamond logo ice sculpture

indoor pyrotechnic show

Visiting top tourist attractions

Nottingham Castle

Tales of Robin Hood

Galleries of Justice

City of Caves

Green's Mill

home of D H Lawrence

home of Lord Byron

historic Southwell

ancient Sherwood Forest

a guided walk

aerial trekking

drive a 4x4 and mud buggy

M2M

Learning:

basic first aid

self-defence

sign language

Discovering more about:

homeothapy

reiki

crystal healing

Getting involved:

making greetings cards

creating balloon animals

drawing cartoons

Hearing about:

appearing on TV quiz shows

self-publishing

travelling around the world

For the under 18s

drama

art

maths

story writing

science

research activities

Other events

ice-breaker party

Robin Hood banquet

Awards luncheon

Dancing through the Decades

musicians' workshop

speed-dating

quizzes

chocolate tasting

whisky tasting

Mensa Games Finals

How many have you ticked? If it's 5 or more and you haven't yet booked to celebrate Mensa's 60th birthday in Nottingham, 28th Sep to 2nd Oct - get booking! You don't have to go for the full 5 days of celebrations, just choose what suits you. Many events are free, including the Saturday night Birthday Party.

For further details see www.mensa.org.uk/diamond

COME AND JOIN THE FUN

20 Questions (No. 60)

This month's quiz is set by Mark Sloan. Name the film from which the following quotes are taken and send your answers to arrive by 20th September to '20 Questions (No. 60)', [Address]. Good luck!

1. "Einstein was PROBABLY one of them!"

2. "I'm afraid, Dave. Dave, my mind is going. I can feel it."

3. "Why shouldn't I work for the N.S.A.? That's a tough one, but I'll give it a shot."

4. "Roads? Where we're going we don't need roads."

5. "Aah, the old BV6000, Ma'am, err ... capable of 125 rpm - that's 'rabbits per minute'"

6. "Not really. I MAKE friends. They're toys. My friends are toys. I make them."

7. "Ha ha. Charlie Babbitt made a joke."

8. "There has to be a mathematical explanation for how bad that tie is."

9. "I was not pure. The teleporter insists on inner pure. I was not pure."

10. "Guy named Otto Octavius winds up with eight limbs. What are the odds?"

11. "Professor Marvel never guesses. He knows!"

12. "Of course, the whole point of a Doomsday Machine is lost, if you keep it a secret!"

13. "The successful criminal brain is always superior. It has to be!"

14. "No, it's pronounced 'Fronkensteen'."

15. "Buddy's who I thought the world wanted me to be. He's who I thought I wanted to be."

16. "I'd have Jean braid your hair."

17. "Completely bulletproof; and machine washable, darling. That's a new feature."

18. "You'll find a slight squeeze on the hooter an excellent safety precaution, Miss Scrumptious."

19. "You are a real boy. At least as real as I've ever made one."

20. "This little piece of gum is a three course dinner."