First Thursday is at our regular venue of Jurys Inn on Midsummer Boulevard, on 2nd April, 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 Jurys and The Hub, so we usually try and get in across the road and then walk through the underpass.
Don't be a fool, as we're not meeting on the 1st April. Come along instead to our 1st Thursday meeting on the 2nd April. Confused? I am! If you've managed to work that out then you'll find us in the main bar of the Fox & Hounds at Harlestone from 9.00pm. It's only a mile or so north of Northampton on the A428, so it's not that difficult to get there.
Regular FThOTM meeting on 2nd at 8.15pm. As always, we're at the Millstream, Cambridge Road, Hitchin. Good food and good beer both available! Call for more details and encouragement. The pub is about ten minutes' walk from the railway station.
The regular first Saturday meeting, which I am hosting for this month, continues on the 4th in the Drill Hall Armoury cafe - there is excellent live music but we try and sit at the bar end so it is not too intrusive. Look out for the magazine or ring me for encouragement/details including cheaper car parks nearby. It has been great to meet more members at this venue recently.
Round off the weekend with a friendly drink and chat at the Vat & Fiddle pub on Queensbridge Road from 8.00pm on Sunday 5th. You can find us to the left of the bar. Look for the yellow Mblem or phone [Phone Number] in advance for directions. The pub is near Nottingham railway station and adjacent to Castle Rock Brewery.
As part of "Active April" we have a couple of extra events lined up this month. On Tuesday 7th we will be visiting the floodlit golf driving range at Morley Hayes Hotel on the A608 between Derby and Heanor. Meet in Roosters Bar for a meal at 7.00pm or in the driving range lobby around 8.15pm to tee off. A basket of balls costs around £2. No previous golfing experience required, all ages welcome.
Our 'chicks & flicks' event takes place on Wednesday 8th. As usual meet us inside the doors to the Cornerhouse at 7.00pm. We'll dine at Nando's Portuguese chicken restaurant before watching a film at Cineworld. You are welcome to join us for either part of the evening. For further details contact Paul on [Phone Number] or [Email]
Our Third Wednesday meeting at the Old BeamsOld Beams in Shenley Lodge is on 15th April. 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. Look around for the Mblem as we don't always get the same table each time.
Our regular 3WOTM meeting at the Standing Order in Derby falls on Wednesday 15th. Join us for a meal or just a drink and some great conversation from 7.30pm. Look out for the yellow Mblem on a long table in the area just beyond the bar. Contact me as above for more details/directions.
This month's Roadshow goes back to Paulerspury. The Barley Mow is the venue and we are normally firmly ensconced in the area to the right of the bar. Paulerspury is a few miles south of Towcester, just to the west of the A5. The pub itself is at the far end of the main road through the village and it's hidden just round a sharp bend - so don't worry if it takes you a while to find it (the entrance to the car park always catches me out and I've been going there for years). Join us from 8.00pm on Thursday 16th.
On 18th at 7.00pm meet at the White Horse, Castle Street, Hertford (left-hand bar) for a preliminary drink and to decide what to eat and where. The pub is in the town centre with car parking available nearby and is about 15 minutes' walk from Hertford North or 10 minutes from Hertford East stations.
We have been attracting members from the "historic" northern part of Lincolnshire and the Ropewalk at Barton-on-Humber is an interesting venue with free parking so our meetings on Sunday 19th April are based there. Join us for coffee or lunch at the Coffee Shop at 12 noon and we will then view Miles Halpin's "Map of the Universe" exhibition in the artspace (free). His main works are steel landscape sculptures. For more details/encouragement please contact me as above or look out for the magazine. I can offer a couple of lifts from Lincoln or en-route if anyone wishes - just let me know before the day.
After this, our April "activity" event will be birdwatching at one of the nearby reserves - it will be better to decide which nearer the time, depending on weather, what is about, and the like. If you wish to join in after the Ropewalk meeting, please telephone as above before 10.30am so I can advise you where to meet us. Binoculars will be useful but not essential.
'Little Shop Of Horrors' is being staged at the Theatre Royal and I'm planning a group trip to their 7.30pm performance on Monday 20th. Tickets cost from £13 for rear balcony to £27.50 for front stalls. Please contact me as soon as possible if interested, stating seat preference, so I can try to get a group discount.
As part of "Active April" we're going ten pin bowling at the alley on Clifton Boulevard at 7.30pm on Friday 24th. The local group used to go quite regularly but we haven't practised our bowling skills for some time now. All ages and abilities welcome. The cost varies depending on number of bowlers and how early we book so please contact me soonest to reserve your place. Please state whether you'd like two or three games and/or a basket meal and I'll make a booking based on the majority.
Join us at the White Horse, Hertingfordbury village (about one mile west of Hertford town centre, just off the A414) for LFOTM on 24th at 8.00pm. A warm welcome and stimulating conversation is guaranteed! Look for the Mag/Mblem. Hertingfordbury is about 20 minutes' walk from Hertford North station. Contact me, or Gwen on [Phone Number], for further details/encouragement.
Active April walk on 25th. At 12.15pm meet up at the top of the approach to Beaconsfield Station (London bound side) for a coffee and light snack before setting off on a three mile walk to Penn. The route is mostly on quiet footpaths. We will visit The Cottage bookshop, said to have inspired Discworld's Unseen University Library, where we will emulate the careful student and make sure we all get out in time for dinner. A compass and ball of twine for threading our way through the stacks of second hand books might be useful.
Activity month! . . . but not too strenuous for Leicestershire, and very suitable for families. We'll cycle round Rutland Water on Saturday 25th April, meeting at 1.00pm by the Whitwell cycle hire building. If it's gorgeous sunshine we'll have a picnic afterwards - or maybe we'll have the picnic anyway, barring a torrential downpour. Families, friends - all welcome. The distance round Rutland Water is approximately 17 miles - 26 if you include the peninsula. Prices to hire a cycle differ enormously (please see www.rutlandcycling.com), depending on the cycle and for how many hours it's borrowed. If you're interested, please get in touch so I can make sure they'll have the cycles available.
To mark Active April month, Richard Allen and I will be hosting a guided walk in Bedford town centre on Sunday 26th April. Final details to be confirmed but the walk will start at 11.00am and is likely to last for about 1½ hours. The cost will be £3 per person. Please call either me or Richard for further details or to book your place.
We intend to go for lunch afterwards, between 12.30 and 1.00pm - call Richard or me for details.
At the end of the month why not come along to Kegworth Shooting Ground for an afternoon of clay pigeon shooting on Sunday 26th. Full safety equipment and expert tuition by experienced instructors provided. If you think you would like to give it a try but are unsure about what to expect please contact me and I'll be happy to answer any queries you may have. Please let me know if you would like to come so I can book you a place.
Our last eating meeting in Loughborough attracted a record turnout of members from Notts, Derbys, Leics and Northants. Can we repeat this success on Tuesday 28th April when we go for a Mexican meal at Cactus Cafe on High Street? A two course meal costs only £8. There's a starter of corn chips with salsa and a choice of meat or vegetarian enchiladas or burritos for the main course. Desserts and drinks extra. Please book with Maxine by 24th latest.
We will meet at the Greyhound at Aldbury, opposite the village pond. Car parking is around the pond area which usually has spaces. Do come and join us for a drink, or to eat or just for a chat. After our eating/drinking at about 9.15pm we will walk across to the field and around to the Tring Station, taking in the wonderful view across the valley. All members welcome, come if you can.