Luton
Tue 2nd Dec - 7.30pm
Bob Ford
FTuOTM 

Our FTuOTM get together has a new venue. Join us on Tuesday 2nd from 7.30pm at The Brache Beefeater, Osborne Road, Luton, LU1 3HJ. The venue is opposite the Vauxhall Design building, and there is free parking.

 Hitchin
Thu 4th Dec - 8.15pm
Richard Allen
FThOTM 

On Thursday 4th from 8.15pm for FThOTM. We're at the Millstream, Cambridge Road, Hitchin. 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.

 Nottingham
Fri 5th Dec - 8.00pm
Maxine Bates
5OTM 

Three events this month all involving food and/or drink. Well, it is the season to be jolly! Join us from 8.00pm on Friday 5th for a drink and chat at the Vat & Fiddle pub on Queensbridge Road in the city centre. Although a central location there is free parking outside the pub and it's a short walk to both the railway station and Broad Marsh bus station. We're usually in the Goldings Room to the left of the bar, with a yellow Mblem on display. New faces always welcome!

 Fenny Stratford
Sat 6th Dec - 3.00pm
Jo Sidebottom
T@3 

We start December with a welcome return to T@3 at Dobbie's Garden Centre in Fenny Stratford on Saturday 6th. Look for us in the restaurant, probably in the conservatory area at the back, from 3.00pm. The store should be decorated for Christmas so there will be plenty to look at and maybe an opportunity for some Christmas shopping.

 Leicester
Sun 7th Dec - 11.00am
Paul Coulson
Richard III exhibition 

I thought we'd start off the final month of the year with a bit of culture and history and stuff, and head off to the Richard III exhibition (http://kriii.com). We have to book a timeslot in advance, so I suggest 11.00am on Sunday 7th as that should work up an appetite for lunch! Tickets are £7.95 (adults) with discounts for both ends of the age scale. Please let me know if you're coming ASAP, but definitely by the end of Fri 28th November.

 Nottingham
Thu 11th Dec - 7.30pm
Maxine Bates
Eating mmeting 

At 7.30pm on Thursday 11th we're holding the Nottingham Mensa Christmas meal at the Beekeeper on Meadow Lane in Beeston. The cost is £9.99 for two courses or £12.99 for three courses but pre-booking is essential, subject to availability of space. Contact me for menu options.

 Aylesbury
Fri 12th Dec - 10.30am
Val Hinkins
Morning coffee 

No need to book, just join me from 10.30am onwards on Friday 12th for a morning of informal conversation and coffee. This month we are going to try the café in Aylesbury's Waterside Theatre, Exchange Street, HP20 1UG. Friends and family are welcome. The theatre is only a short walk from the railway station and shops, so fortify yourself with coffee and cake before doing your Christmas shopping.

 Lincoln
Sat 13th Dec - 12.05pm
Christine Howells
Pub discussion 

We're having a quiet month, just the usual pub discussion on Saturday 13th from 12.05pm at our usual venue, 'Adam and Eve', on Lindum Hill, Lincoln. We are going to indulge in flights of fancy and ask ourselves 'If we could travel to other planets, should we?' The talk tends to cover a wide range of issues as different aspects appeal to different people. As always, there is also a fair amount of general chat about all sorts of other things too. No wonder we are often there until past 3 o'clock. However, all are welcome to drop in for just as long as they fancy, pub food is available if hunger pangs prevail. Free car park, look for Mblem on a table, usually in an alcove, with various friendly people round it.

 Milton Keynes
Mon 15th Dec - 8.30pm
Jo Sidebottom
3MOTM 

On Monday 15th we continue our Third Monday of the Month quiz outings at The Barge at . Meet from 8.30pm in time for the quiz at 9.00pm - cost is £1 per person. See www.vintageinn.co.uk/thebargewoolstone/ for 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. If for any reason the pub decides not to run the quiz so close to Christmas, I'll post an announcement on the East Midlands and MK email and FB groups.

 Leicester
Tue 16th Dec - 7.30pm
Paul Coulson
Christmas curry 

Our second meeting in Leicester for December and it's a biggie as we head to Shimla Pinks opposite the station for our now-traditional Leicester Christmas Curry. We'll be there on Tuesday 16th from 7.30pm, but please let me know you're coming by December 1st at the very latest so I can reserve a place for you!

 Derby
Wed 17th Dec - 7.30pm
Maxine Bates
Christmas meal 

Just our one regular get-together this month, although that is turning into the Derby Mensa Christmas meal and will require pre-booking please. It's taking place at the Standing Order on Irongate at 7.30pm on Wednesday 17th. Main meal only is £8.99, two courses £11.24 or three courses £13.49. All include a choice of drink too. Please contact me for menu and to check availability. You're welcome to come along later for just a drink and we'll try to squeeze you round our table as the venue is likely to be busy pre-Christmas.

You're also welcome to come along to my New Year's Eve party on the Notts/Derbys border in Langley Mill. See the Notts News section for further details.

 Milton Keynes
Sun 21st Dec - 10.00am
Jo Sidebottom
Sunday breakfast 

Sunday breakfast will be on 21st at 10.00am in the Centre:MK at Carluccio's.

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. It's also a chance to do some last-minute Christmas shopping! For any of the above events, contact me for directions and/or encouragement.

 Langley Mill
Wed 31st Dec - 8.00pm
Maxine Bates
New Year's Eve party 

Our final event of the year is a New Year's Eve party at my home in Langley Mill from 8.00pm on Wednesday 31st. Come and help me celebrate the end of 2014 and start of 2015.

Please bring a buffet contribution (as I have two other events that day so won't have time to prepare one) and whatever you wish to drink. Beds/floorspace for overnight guests available on a first come first served basis. Please contact me for directions and to confirm attendance.

 London
Wed 31st Dec - TBA
Richard Allen
New Year's Eve concert 

On Wednesday 31st a few of us are, as ever, going to the Viennese New Year's Eve concert at the Barbican. If you've not been, it's a brilliant way to see out the old year and we usually meet at a nearby Wetherspoons pub beforehand. Let me know if you're interested in coming! Full details appear under the London area in the main Mag.