On Wednesday 4th at 7.00pm, we're going to try the Newport Arch in Lincoln, at the end of the Bailgate, for a Chinese meal. All very welcome, but please let me know if you would like to come so that I can book a table, thanks.
Please join us on the 5th for informal chat at our First Thursday venue of Jurys Inn Hotel on Midsummer Boulevard (west). Look out for the Mblem or mag on one of the tables to the right in the foyer.
Our first event of the year will be a get together at the Vat & Fiddle pub on Queensbridge Road from 8.00pm on Thursday 5th. Find us in the Golding's Room to the left of the bar. Just look for the Mensa Magazine on the table, usually the first one as you enter the room. Stay all evening or pop in for a quick drink. There will be serious and silly discussions. New faces always welcome!
Regular FThOTM will be on Thursday 5th from 8.15pm. Come and join us! We'll be around for our usual mix of lively conversation and a good atmosphere. 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.
Monday 9th at 8.00 pm: Quiz and puzzle evening hosted by Julia Haldane. These are usually informal and lots of fun! All warmly invited but please do let me know if you plan to attend as numbers may be limited. I will pass on Julia's address to all who are attending. Usual nibbles/tea/coffee
We're moving the venues for our "chicks and flicks" event as Nottingham City Council have introduced parking charges until 8.00pm rather than 6.00pm. From now on we'll be dining at Nando's on Redfield Way in Lenton (off A52 Clifton Boulevard near Queen's Medical Centre) before watching a film at Showcase cinema. We'll lose our 20% Cornerhouse card discount (though anyone with proof they work for the NHS or emergency services can get it) but there's lots of free parking and Orange Wednesdays 2-4-1 offer is still valid at Showcase. Meet inside the foyer of the restaurant at 7.00pm on Wednesday 11th. Contact me for directions, encouragement to come along or film options.
"Wow, Aunty Gladys, - what a lovely pair of socks! I'll add it to the other 15 pairs I received for Christmas.". If you're going to be in Leicester city centre on Saturday 14th busy returning presents to the shops, why not take a break and meet up for cake and coffee at The Swiss Cottage restaurant at the bottom of Churchgate in Leicester at 11:00am. This is sufficiently on the outskirts of the town that it shouldn't be too busy (and it's handy for parking), but give me a call on the day in case we have to change venue.
Further to popular demand we are going to have more discussion opportunities. Firstly, at our 2SaOTM on 14th from 12.00-2.00, we'll be at the Adam and Eve pub on Lindum Hill. Starting with some chatting, at 12.30pm we will start a discussion on 'Is sport good for society?', then finish with more general chat.
Local member Mark is celebrating a significant birthday on 16th. He would like all his Mensan friends to join him for a birthday meal (PAYG) at Eat Thai in Easton Street. We will meet at the restaurant at 7:30pm, but please let me know you are coming as this is Wycombe's only Michelin rated restaurant and we will need to book, even on a Monday evening. See http://www.eatthai.net/highwycombe.html for detailed menus and directions.
Please ring or e-mail me by Sunday 8th to let me know you are coming.
Third Thursday of the month, and it's back to The Craddock Inn on Knighton Lane in Leicester. They finally have a new chef, so you have the option of eating there as well. Details of the place are at http://tinyurl.com/leicsMensaTTOTM.
Please feel free to call or drop me a line for more info. In the meantime . . .
Mike Hargreave Mawson continues to host meetings at his home in Bedford this month, with "My Favourite Things" on Sunday 8th and Tea and Buns on Thursday 19th. This month's theme is music, so bring along samples or memories to share with others.
Mike's address is Oaklands, 60 Kimbolton Road, Bedford, MK40 2NX. He strongly advises contacting him in advance for directions and parking hints if it's your first visit - email [Email] or phone [Phone Number].
We'll be making a return visit to Nottingham Greyhound Stadium in Colwick on Friday 20th. Once again I've been given 100 free tickets and will be selling them for £5 each including admission and race card (normal price is £6) with all money going to Cancer Research UK. We'll be allocated a dog to cheer on the night with races being scored on a league table. If our dog wins there will be a final race in October. Gates are open 6.00pm to 10.30pm and although I've advertised a 7.00pm time to meet you're welcome to arrive/leave at any time. Under-18s are admitted free with a paying adult. Contact me to buy tickets in advance as the rules of the charity tournament don't allow me to hand them out on the night. It's a fun and sometimes profitable evening. Why not give it a whirl and bring family, friends or work colleagues?
Monday 23rd at 8.00pm: Pub meeting. Essex Arms, Langley Way, Watford, WD17 3EG. Please look for the Magazine on the table. New members always warmly welcomed.
We also have another meeting in Bedford this month as we're keen to try the Sahara Greek restaurant in St Mary's Street. We're planning to visit at 8.00pm on Wednesday 25th but please let me know by Monday 23rd if possible so I can book a table. See www.thesaharabedford.co.uk for location, menu, prices, etc.
Happy New Year, everyone. The first meeting of our new Olympic Year will be, as usual, at the Old Mill on High Street (at the end nearest to Hemel Hempstead) on Wednesday 25th from 7.45-ish. The car park over the bridge runs back to the canal bank. We meet at the end of the pub, beyond the bar, where it is usually quieter. Turn right as you come into the pub,
LFotM on 27th from 8.00pm. Join us at the Cowper Arms, Digswell (near Welwyn village). Good food and good beer available to suit all tastes! The venue is next to Welwyn North railway station (Kings Cross - Cambridge and Peterborough line with trains every 30 minutes). Contact me for further details and encouragement.
Sunday breakfast will be at 10.15am on Sunday 29th January, but please contact me to confirm the venue. Our first return visit to Brown's didn't live up to expectations so we are keeping our options open! Feel free to come for a full breakfast, a snack, or just a drink, but if possible please let me know by Saturday 28th so we have an idea what size table to grab when we arrive.
For those who live towards the coast, but everyone else welcome too, we're starting a monthly discussion group at my house, 4SuOTM, tea and cakes provided. It will be general discussion on ideas of the main philosophers but no previous knowledge required, everyone can join in. This month: Aristotle reckoned everyone should aim to live a good life, what do we think and what's a good life?
At 7.30pm on Tuesday 31st our "eating meeting" will take place at Spices at Wollaton Vale. This circular shaped Indian restaurant is near the crossroads of Nottingham Road and Coventry Lane and was previously the Gondola pub. The restaurant is highly recommended and you can view the menu at www.spiceswollaton.co.uk. Please book your place with me by 27th latest.