Milton Keynes
Sun 5th Jan - 10.30am
Jo Sidebottom
Sunday breakfast 

Our first meeting of 2014 is Sunday breakfast, at 10.30am on Sunday 5th at Wetherspoons on Midsummer Boulevard West, next to Chiquito's and not far up from the railway station (NOT the other Lloyds/Wetherspoons nearer the shopping centre and next to Jurys Inn). Come for a full breakfast, a snack, or just a drink - look for the Mblem on a table.

 Alford
Sun 5th Jan - 3.00pm
Christine Howells
Teatime Thinking 

We start the New Year's events with Teatime Thinking at my house, early again this month, Sunday 5th, 3.00-5.00pm. We've dispensed with philosophers and decided to move on to learn of some of those countries we feel we should know more about. Our first venture is to consider the '_stan' countries of the former USSR. The Thinking might be different but there will be the usual tea and cake to sustain us.

 Nottingham
Sun 5th Jan - 8.00pm
Maxine Bates
5OTM 

Our first get together of the year takes place at the Vat & Fiddle pub on Queensbridge Road in Nottingham. Find us in the Golding's Room to the left of the bar from 8.00pm on Sunday 5th for a drink and chat and to suggest events for us to do in 2014. The pub is close to Nottingham railway station and Broad Marsh bus station and has free parking outside. New faces are always welcome. Our November event coincided with their weekly quiz night and despite not really paying attention we managed to win a gallon of beer!

 High Wycombe
Thu 9th Jan - 10.30am
Val Hinkins
Morning coffee 

No need to book, just join me from 10.30am onwards on Thursday 9th for a morning of informal conversation and coffee. This month we are going to "The Place to Eat", the in-store café at John Lewis in High Wycombe, HP12 4NW. Located close to Junction 4 of the M40 the site has a large, free car park. Following the lifting of restrictions on the range of goods they can sell, the whole shop has been remodelled and extended, with former office and warehouse space on site converted into new sales departments. These include clothes and shoes for the first time. There may even be some bargains in the January sales!

 Nottingham
Thu 9th Jan - 7.30pm
Maxine Bates
Natter & Nosh 

From 7.30pm on Thursday 9th we'll be at the Beekeeper pub/restaurant on Meadow Lane in Beeston. You are welcome to join us any time during the evening for a meal or just a drink. We have the first big table beyond the food order point at the end of the bar and a yellow Mblem will be on display. Again new faces are most welcome.

 Hitchin
Thu 9th Jan - 8.15pm
Richard Allen
2ThOTM 

Thursday 9th: Not the FThOTM at the Millstream, Hitchin from 8.15pm. Since the first Thursday's the 2nd, I've moved us to the following week to give us all time to get over the Christmas and New Year festivities.

 Leicester
Sat 11th Jan - 10.30am
Paul Coulson
Morning coffee 

Ah, January! The month of full tummies and empty pockets! It's also the time for us to see how long we can maintain our New Year's resolutions, so why not put that "I must go to more Mensa meetings" one to the test by interrupting your trip to the January sales (you can't afford it, anyway!) with tea and cakes at Brucciani's on Churchgate in Leicester at 10.30am on Saturday 11th? It can get busy in there, so give me a call on [Phone Number] to find me.

 Lincoln
Sat 11th Jan - 12.05pm
Christine Howells
Pub discussion 

The following weekend, on Saturday 11th from 12.05pm, we will be at the Adam and Eve on Lindum Hill for our regular pub discussion. The topic of the month is 'What should you draw the line at currying?' Perhaps inspired by those with overmuch turkey in previous years but more a question of ethics and practicality. Do join us to give your views, or just listen, pub food available, free car park.

 Milton Keynes
Tue 14th Jan - 7.30pm
Jo Sidebottom
Italian meal 

On Tuesday 14th at 7.30pm we will be visiting Prosecco in Midsummer Boulevard, which is a mid-range Italian restaurant. See www.proseccomk.com for menu and location, and please let me know by Sunday 12th if you are coming so that I can book a table.

 Derby
Wed 15th Jan - 7.30pm
Maxine Bates
3WOTM 

Our "3rd Wednesday" event falls as early as it can this month so do pop along to the Standing Order on Irongate in the city centre any time from 7.30pm until late on Wednesday 15th. Being a Wetherspoon venue there is good value food and/or drink. Look for a yellow Mblem on a long table in the low ceiling area, rear of the pub, or contact me in advance and I'll meet you at the door if you're new.

 Ilkeston
Fri 17th Jan - 7.00pm
Maxine Bates
At Home 

Susan and Mark kindly invite us to their home in Ilkeston again from 7.00pm on Friday 17th. There will be the option of getting a take-away for those interested. Or just come along for an evening of socialising. Please call them on [Phone Number] for directions and to say you'll be there.

 High Wycombe
Sun 19th Jan - 1.00pm
Val Hinkins
Chinese meal 

On Sunday 19th we will return to the "Eat as much as you can" option at the Sunshine Chinese restaurant, 21A High Street, High Wycombe, near the Crendon Street traffic lights and only a short walk from the station. Cost is approximately £15.00. Meet at the restaurant at 1.00pm. Family and friends are welcome to join us for a relaxed, informal meal and chat. Bring ideas for events you would enjoy this year. Suggestions already received include an outing to the Inns of Court in London and archery. What do you think of these ideas? I will need to book a table so, if you can, please let me know you are coming by Monday 13th. You will still be welcome if

 Leicester
Thu 23rd Jan - 8.00pm
Paul Coulson
4ThOTM 

Can't make that one? You'll have a second chance at our usual "Fourth Thursday" thingy at The Craddock Arms at 8.00pm on Thursday 23rd. I really look forward to seeing you there!

 Nuthall
Tue 28th Jan - 7.30pm
Maxine Bates
Eating meeting 

Our regular "eating meetings" now enter their 7th year. Some restaurants that we've enjoyed have been visited on more than one occasion but mostly we like to try new places. If you have venue suggestions please do let me know. This month we'll be dining at Lime Indian Restaurant on Upminster Drive in Nuthall at 7.30pm on Tuesday 28th. Main courses are 2-4-1 on a Tuesday evening so please let me know by 21st latest if you'd like to join us so I can reserve a table. Menu at www.lime-restaurant.co.uk. Bring your own bottled beer or wine or the restaurant serve soft drinks and low/non-alcoholic beers or wines.

 Digswell
Fri 31st Jan - 8.00pm
Richard Allen
LFOTM 

On Friday 31st from 8.00pm we'll be at the Cowper Arms, Digswell, Herts