I know we LocSecs say it every year but why not make it a New Year's resolution to attend a meeting this year if you are one Mensa's silent majority. As Christine is chairing her regular First Saturday meeting at noon on the 3rd January, you may still be keeping your resolutions and we may meet even more members. Please do venture out to join her in the Armoury Bar of the Drill Hall for conversation and lunch if you wish. All very welcome. Look out for the magazine or contact Christine on [Email] or telephone me as above for directions/encouragement.
If Monday 5th is your first day back at work after the Christmas break why not pop along to the Vat & Fiddle pub from 8.00pm to cheer yourself up with a friendly drink and chat and make some new friends? The pub is on Queensbridge Road near Nottingham railway station, close to Broad Marsh bus station and has free parking right outside. We can usually be found to the left of the bar. A warm welcome awaits at the table displaying the yellow Mblem.
Happy New Year all! The First Thursday in January is New Year's Day, so we have postponed our regular Jurys Inn meeting to the following week, Thursday 8th January. Jurys Inn is on Midsummer Boulevard (West), and we meet from 8.00pm, usually in the foyer as it's quieter than the bar. Look out for the Mblem. 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.
Regular FThotM meeting - but just to confuse you it's on the second Thursday, 8th, which will also give you a bit of time to get over the New Year celebrations. As always, 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. By this time, I hope to be completely mobile again - we'll drink to that!
Our 1st Thursday is a week late this month (guess why). The meeting at the Malt Shovel didn't work so we're back at the Fox & Hounds in Harlestone . Why not join us for a fireside chat on 8th January at 9.00pm? Look for the Mensa mag on one of the tables. Contact me for details.
On Saturday 10th at 7.30pm, meet at The New Greyhound Pub, 191-199 High Street South, Dunstable, Beds LU6 3SS (or pub next door if they have function on that night) for a drink and chat before we move on to The Curry Cottage Restaurant at 45 Lowther Rd, Dunstable, Beds, LU6 3NL, to eat about 8.30pm. All are welcome, but please book by Thursday 8th. Email or call me as above, or call Andy ONLY if you get lost on the night on 07771-933-658. We look forward to seeing you.
Our first "chicks & flicks" event of the year falls on Wednesday 14th. This is our monthly visit to Nando's peri-peri chicken restaurant followed by a film at Cineworld. We meet at 7.00pm inside the doors to the Cornerhouse in the city centre. The whole evening can cost under a tenner as there are offers at both venues. For directions, film options, details of the offers or just to say you're coming please contact Paul on 0115-976-399 or [Email]
There will be a get together from 8.00pm on Friday 16th at my home in Langley Mill on the Notts/Derbys border. I'll provide tea/coffee and some nibbles, you provide the company! Bring something alcoholic to drink if you wish and/or any boardgames you'd like to play. Contact me as below for directions.
Join us on Sunday 18th at 6.00pm for an evening at home, playing Scrabble, or other board games if you prefer. We have chosen a Sunday, so we can start earlier and have more time. We'll provide tea/coffee and a few light snacks, plus a dictionary to sort out the inevitable disagreements! All standards of play are welcome. Please contact Peter or Val as above a few days ahead for directions / encouragement.
Our regular 3rd Wednesday of the month meeting at the Standing Order in Derby falls on the 21st. 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. Please feel free to contact me, as above, for more details/directions.
On Thursday 22nd at 8.00pm, this month's Roadshow goes back to Paulerspury. You'll find us in the bar of the Barley Mow, which is on the main road through the village. Look for a Mensa mag the table to see where we are. Contact me for details.
On Tuesday 27th at 7.30pm, we're hosting a joint Notts/Leics meeting, as Maxine is unavailable that evening. This will be the usual Notts last Tuesday of the month eating meeting, held this month at The Chesterfield Arms, Church Street, Bingham, which lies on the A52 about midway between Nottingham and Grantham. They describe the menu there as Mediterranean European/English, and the price of the main course varies between £9.95 and £14.45. Could you please let me know by Tuesday 20th January if you intend coming? Thanks.
On Wednesday 28th January at 7.45pm-ish we will meet at the White Horse at Bourne End, half way between Hemel Hempstead and Berkhamsted for LWotM. Car parking is in the front and the back, which usually has plenty of spaces. Do come and join us for a drink, or to eat or just for a chat. All members welcome, come if you can.
Join Gwen and me at the White Horse, Hertingfordbury village (about one mile west of Hertford town centre, just off the A414) on Friday 30th January at 8.00pm for LFotM. A warm welcome and stimulating conversation guaranteed! Look for the Mag/Mblem. Hertingfordbury is about 20 minutes' walk from Hertford North station. Contact me for further details and encouragement.
On Saturday 31st at 7.30pm, we have our annual meal at Ruth's farmhouse in Long Clawson, with a room to ourselves. This is usually a popular event, as all the cooking (traditional English dinner) is done by Ruth. For this reason, there is a limited choice of menu: roast beef, steak & kidney pie or coq au vin. I will need to know how many of each to order by Monday 26th January, please, so Ruth can do the shopping. The cost for the 3 course meal is £11.50, and you need to bring your own drinks.