Afternoon tea in the Panelled Room at Strelley Hall.

 

Regional News

This month sees Jenny Habib celebrating a significant birthday and taking the decision to retire from her role as Hemel Hempstead LocSec. Thank you for your contribution to East Midlands Mensa over the years and happy birthday, Jenny! Val Hinkins will be encompassing the HP1-4 postcodes into her own LocSec area and thus be looking after all the HP postcodes from now on. Don't forget that any member living in any area can attend any social event so the postcodes only exist for administrative purposes.

At the time of writing, the first Luton event at the Chequers in Streatley is yet to take place. But I know there are expressions of interest in this get together with several officers and new members hoping to attend and it's expected to be a good night out. Therefore the next event has been planned from 7.30pm on Thursday 4th September in the hope of keeping momentum going. Many thanks to Bob Ford for offering to host what we hope will become a regular event.

Don't forget the British Mensa Annual Gathering takes place in Cardiff the weekend of 19th-22nd September. See www.mensa.org.uk for the full programme of events or contact Diane at the Mensa office. There will be many members attending from the East Midlands. Feel free to use our "East Midlands Mensa" Facebook group to arrange car shares, room shares, company at events, etc. See you there!

Maxine Bates

Regional Officer

Editorial

Thanks to everyone for welcoming me to the Empress team and for the kind words about the July issue, I'm looking forward to many more issues to come. Empress is pretty packed this month with events, reviews and a bumper crop of special birthdays - there's plenty to get involved with although I don't know how some of you fit it all in!

Lucy Bengry

Editor

An Appeal From Emma Dutton Of Northampton

Last year my Mum was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer and it has been a roller coaster since then. I have decided to do the Shine Night Walk for Cancer Research UK. It takes place in London on 27th September 2014. This is an overnight marathon walk and any support would be appreciated - www.justgiving.com/EmmaDutton/ Thank you!

Events and Meetings

photo of Val Hinkins

Mid Bucks

On Fri 19th Sep at 10.30am - Morning Coffee

Meet me from 10.30am for a morning of informal conversation and coffee. This month we are returning to the café at Chenies Garden Centre - WD3 6EN. There's free parking and delicious cake! A good range of plants, garden tools, furniture, gifts and food can be bought in the shop. See http://www.vanhage.co.uk/garden-centres/chenies/ for further information. The café can get very busy, so please let me know in advance if you know you are coming so I can assemble enough chairs. You can still just turn up on the day.

Val Hinkins

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

photo of Jenny Habib

Berkhamsted

On Thu 25th Sep at 7.45pm - LThOTM

We've changed the venue for our regular meeting which will now be at the Crown pub on Berkhamsted High Street. Have a drink and a chat or eat with us. The pub does good meals and is cheaper, so we are changing at a member's request. New members, partners, etc. are always welcome. You can park for free after 6.30pm in the car park behind Tesco's.

Jenny Habib

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

photo of Richard Allen

Hertfordshire Happenings

On Thu 4th Sep at 8.15pm - FThOTM

As ever, we're at the Millstream, Cambridge Road, Hitchin from 8.15pm. 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 Sun 7th Sep at 12.00pm - Steam festival

It's the annual steam festival at the Leighton Buzzard narrow gauge steam railway and I'll be there from about 12.00pm. It is hoped that everything steamable will be in steam that day. Hope to see some of you there; the Railway is at Page's Park, about two miles south of Leighton Buzzard station but I can arrange pickups from either there or Flitwick if need be. Contact me for further details and encouragement.

On Fri 26th Sep at 8.00pm - LFOTM

As ever, we'll be at the Cowper Arms, Digswell, Herts (by Welwyn North station) from 8.00pm. Call me for more details and encouragement. The pub is next to the railway station, which is served by stopping trains from Kings Cross to Cambridge and Peterborough.

On Sat 27th Sep at 1.00pm - Beer festival

It's the annual St Albans beer festival, held at the Alban Arena in the city centre. I'll be there from 1.00pm and hope you'll be able to join me! Contact me for details and encouragement, or if you've not been to a beer festival before and want to find out a bit more.

Richard Allen

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

photo of Christine Howells

Lively Lincs

On Sat 13 Sep at 12.30pm - 2SaOTM

We start with the 2SaOTM pub discussion at the 'Adam and Eve', on Lindum Hill. Once we've all gathered, ordered food and/or drinks and had a bit of a chat, we usually kick off our discussion topic around 12.30pm. This time it's 'What should architecture be about?' Once we've said all we feel there is to say on that, we'll wander on to other topics and general chat. The usual suspects often stay past 3.00pm, others come and go as they fancy, some join in, and others just listen.

On Thu 25th Sep at 7.00pm - Eating meeting

Our ever popular midweek eating meeting will be venturing to the Bowl Full Tapas bar towards the far end of West Parade, Lincoln. I'm writing this the day after a great Mensa evening at Carluccio's, talk varied from "Come Dine with Me" to Prof. Sandel's philosophy discussions, lots of laughter, not a dull moment - I loved it. So, let me entice you to join us this month and enjoy a meal with fun. The table is booked for 7.00pm, just let me know you're coming by 20th September.

On Sun 28th Sep at 3.00pm - T@3

If it's afternoon tea you hanker for, come round to my house near Alford from 3.00-5.00pm. We munch on scones and cakes washed down with plenty of tea while sharing our mental travels. This month it'll be about the Central American countries. Most of us research the bits that interest us, (we're different enough for it to be varied) and some just sit and listen. Contact me for further details, directions, or encouragement.

Christine Howells

Contact [Email] for details

photo of Jo Sidebottom

Mensans in MK & Bedford

On Sat 6th Sep at 3.00pm - T@3

Our first meeting is T@3 at Dobbie's Garden Centre, Fenny Stratford. Please join us for tea, cakes and chat - look for the Mblem in the restaurant. Contact me for directions and/or encouragement.

On Mon 15th Sep at 8.30pm - 3MOTM

We continue our third Monday of the month quiz meetings at The Barge at Woolstone. Meet from 8.30pm in time for the quiz at 9.00pm - £1 per person. See www.vintageinn.co.uk/thebargewoolstone/ for the location and, if possible, let me know beforehand if you're coming so I can reserve a big enough table. We don't always get the same table, so look out for the Mblem. Contact me for directions and/or encouragement.

On Sun 28th Sep at 10.00am - Sunday breakfast

Sunday breakfast will be at 10.00am at Carluccio's in the Centre:MK. You will probably find us in one of the red booths just in front of the restaurant - look for the Mblem on a table. Come for a full breakfast, a snack, or just a drink. Contact me for directions and/or encouragement.

If you would like to join the M-MK & Bedford Facebook group, 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, please let me know if you'd like to be added. We hope to see as many of you as possible at one or other of our events in September. You're welcome to bring a guest with you, so if you've never been to an event and are a little nervous, just bring a friend.

Jo Sidebottom

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

photo of Maxine Bates

Notts News

On Fri 5th Sep at 8.00pm - 5OTM

Why not start the weekend with a drink and chat at the Vat & Fiddle pub on Queensbridge Road on the outskirts of the city centre? We'll be there from 8.00pm and usually grab the first table as you enter the Goldings Room to the left of the bar. There's free parking outside or the pub is close to Nottingham railway station and Broad Marsh bus station if you wish to enjoy a pint or two.

On Thu 11th Sep at 7.30pm - Natter & nosh

We're at the Beekeeper pub/restaurant on Meadow Lane in Beeston for our 'natter and nosh' event. Find us on the long table just beyond the food order point at the end of the bar with a yellow Mblem on display. Feel free to come along any time from 7.30pm to closing for a meal, snack or just a drink plus good conversation.

On Wed 24th Sep at 7.00pm - Cinema

We haven't been to the cinema for a long time so let's change that with a trip to Showcase Cinema on Redfield Way in Lenton (on the ring road near Queen's Medical Centre). I've advertised a rendezvous time of 7.00pm but please contact me in advance so we can decide which film to watch and in case we need to make that slightly earlier or later depending on the screening time. Hopefully there will be enough of us with Orange phone contracts to get us all in on a 2-4-1 deal.

On Sat 17th Sep at 11.00am - Autumn fayre

Finally I'm organising an autumn fayre to take place at Greasley Parish Hall (NG16 3QN) from 11.00am to 3.00pm. This is the same venue where we held our regional party night back in January 2009 (if anyone remembers that) and is easily accessible from J26 of the M1.

There will be nearly 20 stalls selling books, jewellery, allotment produce, cards, gifts and much more. Light lunches, teas and cakes will also be available. All proceeds from this event will go to Cancer Research UK. Do pop along and say hello to myself and my team of fundraising Mensans. We'll be the ones wearing white T-shirts with the Cancer Research UK logo.

Ciao for now!

Maxine Bates

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

Derby Diary

On Sat 13th Sep at 4.30pm - At Home

Many thanks to Janine and Sandy for once again inviting us to their home on Mackworth Estate from 4.30pm. There will be tea and cakes in the afternoon plus optional table tennis, boules or board games if anyone is interested. Then in the evening there will be relaxing chat with the option of ordering a take-away. Hot drinks, soft drinks, cakes and nibbles will be provided but please bring any alcohol you wish to drink and a little money if you want to join in the take-away meal. You are welcome to come early, leave early, come late, and stay late. Please ring [Phone Number] for directions and to confirm you're going.

On Wed 17th Sep at 7.30pm - 3WOTM

Our '3rd Wednesday' get together will be from 7.30pm at the Standing Order pub on Irongate in the city centre. This is a Wetherspoon venue so good value food and/or drink. Look for the yellow Mblem on one of the long tables in the rear section of the pub. There is usually a good turnout for this event.

On Tue 30th Sep at 7.30pm - Eating meeting

Our 'eating meeting' heads north to South Normanton. The Castlewood (Brewer's Fayre) are having an Italian night with an eat-as-much-as-you-like buffet of pizza, pasta and garlic bread for only £6.99. The restaurant is just off J28 of the M1 and has ample free parking. Please let me know by 26th September if you'd like to join us so a table can be reserved.

Grazie!

Maxine Bates

Contact [Email] or [Phone Number] for details

More or Leicester

On Mon 15th Sep at 7.30pm - Live Social Dining Theatre

Be honest, have you ever sat there thinking "Actually, I'm bored with restaurants"? Ever felt the need for something different? Well how does a "Live Social Dining Theatre" grab you, eh? You might think it's just a world buffet, but you'd be wrong! We're off to More (www.morerestaurant.co.uk) on London Road at 7.30pm to grab a piece of the excitement. Give me a call/email by 1st September so I can book a table.

On Thu 25th Sep at 8.00pm - 4ThOTM

After all that excitement, it's back to what us Tiggers know best and into the downstairs bit of The Craddock for our "Fourth Thursday" on the .er. fourth Thursday, meeting up at 8.00pm. I might even have brought you a stick of rock or something back from my holidays!

For both of the above, why not bring a friend along? We're mostly harmless. I look forward to seeing you soon!

Paul Coulson

photo of Ian Sargent

Northants NNotes

On Sat 6th Sep at 11.00am - Country Walk

A date has been set for another of my scenic walks. Join me at 11.00am for a leisurely walk of approximately 3 miles along the Northants/Leics border, followed by a pub lunch. The meeting point is The Wharf Inn, Welford, NN6 6JQ. The village is on the A5199 and the pub is on the main road at the north end. If you can't make the walk but would like to join us for lunch, meet us in the pub around 12.30pm.

It's no fun walking in the wet so if the weather forecast suggests some rain it will be best to contact me the night before to see if it's going ahead.

Ian Sargent

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

photo of Bob Ford

Luton

On Tue 2th Sep at 7:30pm - FTuOTM

The new regular get together in Luton is changing date and venue. It will now be on the 1st Tuesday of each month at The Brache Beefeater on Osborne Road (opposite the Vauxhall Design building). So the next get together will be on Tuesday 2nd September not Thursday 4th September as advertised in Mensa Magazine and Empress. This works better for everyone who attended the first event.

Bob Ford

Contact [Email] or [Mobile Number] for details

Lakes Party Weekend 14th-17th November 2014

A weekend of partying, walking, swimming, activities or just relaxation based at Whinfell Forest Center Parcs in the beautiful Lake District.

Package includes three nights' accommodation in a twin/double room, three parties, buffet meals, help-yourself bar throughout the weekend, cocktail of the day, unlimited access to the subtropical swimming paradise, walks, quiz, board games, tastings and much more.

Members attending from all around the UK and beyond. Family and friends of all ages welcome.

Price from £155 per person.

See www.maruba-events.com or contact Maxine Bates on [Phone Number].

Tea For 2? No, Tea For 106!

Before the guests arrived.
The team enjoy a well-deserved sit down and their own afternoon tea.
Janet celebrating her birthday at Strelley Hall - with even more cake!

On Sunday 6th July we held an afternoon tea at beautiful Strelley Hall in Nottingham. The event proved hugely popular with 106 guests and many turned away as we exceeded maximum capacity. The owners of Strelley Hall could not have been more helpful, not only giving us free hire of their entire venue but also loaning us crockery, table linen and even helping with the set up and washing up! Warburtons donated bread for the sandwiches and we were given a voucher to spend at a Spar store.

Lots of lovely ladies baked cakes and scones and many members donated items to fill a luxury food wicker hamper for a prize draw.

At 1.00pm guests started arriving and got the 'wow factor' as they entered the Panelled Room and Morning Room laid out with platters of sandwiches, tiered stands laden with a huge variety of cakes, and scones with jam, clotted cream and butter. Our own waitresses served a selection of teas, coffees and juices. All this accompanied by classical music. It was perfect weather for guests to have a break from cake eating and play a game of croquet on the lawn or stroll around the gardens. We had tried to recreate 'tea at the Ritz' so it was lovely to see ladies arriving in their best flowery dresses for the occasion.

This event was organised in aid of Cancer Research UK and I'm delighted to say we raised a staggering £1,500 from ticket sales, the prize draw and a cake sale - and the total was very generously rounded up by a friend.

Thank you to everyone who came along, especially my fundraising team who worked tirelessly for nine hours to make it a fantastic day.

Maxine Bates

...It Was Lovely Once You Were In

Three wet mensans

A very entertaining day was had by all at our regular beach hut day in Mablethorpe. Being the quiet types (!), we take a chalet at the sedate end of Mablethorpe's long sandy beach which has the added advantage of being double-sided. The front overlooks the beach; the back also has a door and overlooks Queen's Park with its various entertainments: boating lake, crazy golf, putting green, bowls and a wonderful little train for children. A couple of us 'big kids' couldn't resist the latter and could be seen waving to all and sundry from the last carriage and heard testing the echo in the tunnel.

Handily, high tide was around noon so three of us intrepid swimmers took to the waves - and big waves they were that day, the most fun we've had for a long time. Certainly not much time to wonder why we were braving the cold water, very quickly we were too busy with waves crashing and sweeping us around to think about the temperature. It was the best dip there ever.

The more sedate among us stuck to sitting in deckchairs; chatting about all and sundry: how to tie shoelaces properly, complete with teaching demonstrations, to the situation in the Ukraine; eating mounds of homemade ginger biscuits and fruit cake, not to mention excellent chips; drinking gallons of tea and coffee; and, going for a bit of an amble along the front to walk it all off.

Sadly, the sun went down, the day had sped, we hadn't even got out the boules or the spades ...... amazing how time flies when enjoying good company by the seaside.

Christine Howells

20 Questions (No. 156)

The answers to the July competition were Bordeaux, Elysee Palace, cheese, Louis XVI, Citroen, Marianne, Versailles, burnt cream, 1769, 14th July, pink, Marseille, Valerie, 1889, Loire, rugby union, Niçoise, Michelin, 1992 and a type of wine. Alex Foster of Derby wins the £10 book token with other entries from Pamela Covey of Woburn, Tony Treadwell of Grantham, Chris Impey of Tring, Roger Plant of Nottingham, Bexley Penhaligon of High Wycombe and Michael Warren of Derby.

This month's quiz is compiled by Patrick Cavanagh and is all about transport. Send your entries to arrive by 20th September by post to '20 Questions (No. 156)', [Address] or by email to [Email]

1. Who is the main railway operator in Spain?

2. The "Flying Enterprise" express rail service connects which two Irish cities?

3. Which motor company produced a range of cars numbered from 120 through to 132 (except 123 and 129)?

4. In which year did the Russians launch "Sputnik", the first artificial satellite, into orbit?

5. What is the name of the UK's fastest scheduled steam train?

6. Which company operated the ill-fated "Titanic" ship?

7. What are the four strokes of a four stroke engine?

8. Which two cities are at each end of Spain's longest road, the N340?

9. DBS is Norway's biggest cycle manufacturer but what do the letters DBS stand for?

10. Panhard cars were produced in which EU country?

11. At the beginning of 2014, how many stations were in daily use in the London Underground system?

12. Which car was popularly called "Tin Lizzie"?

13. Which company operates the Channel Tunnel?

14. What was the name of the world's first production commercial jet-liner?

15. Which country's largest rail operator is Magyar Államvasultak Zrt?

16. What do the initials P&O stand for?

17. What is the popular name for Vienna's underground rail system?

18. If sailing along the Danube river which four capital cities would you pass through?

19. The Lorelei is a site of many shipping accidents on which European river?

20. Who was the first woman to walk in space?