Richard's on holiday this month so I'm hosting; as ever, we're at the Millstream, Cambridge Road, Hitchin from 8.15pm. Good food and good beer both available! Call me on 07910 693695 or at rowenamlove@gmail.com for more details and encouragement. The pub is about ten minutes' walk from the railway station.
Our first get-together this month is an American meal at the new Stateside Grille at 8.00pm. It's in CBX on Midsummer Boulevard - the unit that was Prosecco, where we attempted to go last year only to find it had closed down, so hopefully we will have more luck this time. We have tried it a couple of times and found both the food and service quite good. Please let me know by Tuesday 1st if you plan to come so I can reserve a table.
Lots happening in the first half of this month from Langley Mill in the west to Southwell in the east of the county. Starting with an 'at home' event from 7.00pm. This will be at my home in Langley Mill and, as it's Independence Day, there will be an American theme with an optional quiz and tex mex supper of chilli, rice, potato wedges, nachos with toppings and maybe a dessert or two. Please let me know if you are coming to help my catering.
After last year's fun, we are returning to Gunby Hall, a National Trust property near Spilsby, for a spot of outdoor theatre, Wuthering Heights, and byo picnic. For details see Gunby Hall website, tickets, £14, available from Gunby Hall or"www.seetickets.com. Do let me know to look out for you.
The following evening it's our regular '5th of the month' at the Vat & Fiddle pub on Queensbridge Road in Nottingham. As it's a Saturday I'm making this a new members night. So if you've never attended one of our social events, why not pop along to meet other members and find out what you're missing? We should be in the Golding's Room to the left of the bar. Do phone in advance if you need some encouragement to come along or if you're nervous about walking in alone and would like me to meet you at the door. We'll be there from 8pm until late.
Our third event of that weekend takes place at Strelley Hall (NG8 6PE) between 1.00pm and 5.00pm. This will be afternoon tea served by our own waitresses in their Georgian Panelled Room and Morning Room. Enjoy a selection of teas, sandwiches, homemade cakes, scones with jam and clotted cream accompanied by background classical music. There will be optional croquet on the lawn, weather permitting. Tickets cost £10 per person with all proceeds going to Cancer Research UK. Our last event of a supper and quiz night at Strelley Hall was hugely popular and this looks like being the same. Contact me to purchase tickets as we need numbers in advance to help catering please. Feel free to invite friends and family and you are welcome to 'dress to impress' if you want to pretend you're at the Ritz!
In the 1850's, William Flint built the Leicester Corn Exchange, and it was subsequently modified just a few years later by F W Ordish.
For some reason, they included a bridge on the outside of the building, even though it's situated miles from any water. Why not come along and speculate why the flippin' 'heck they'd want to do that at some informal dining at the Wetherspoons that the building now hosts at 7.30pm?
We're at the Beekeeper on Meadow Lane in Beeston for our 'natter & nosh' event. Join us any time from 7.30pm until closing for a meal or just a drink. This Hungry Horse venue is reasonably priced and you'll find us on the long table just beyond the food order point at the end of the bar. Just look for the yellow Mblem on the table.
July sees us doing something completely different. Instead of the usual Lincoln discussion meeting we are going on a 'field trip' to Southwell to visit the Workhouse and consider the ethics and efficacy of the system. There are various parts of the day, feel free to join in as many as you like.
We're meeting at the Workhouse just outside Southwell a bit before 11.00am so that we can join in their welcome tour. At 12.00pm the main building opens and we're then going to have a wander around that. There are audio-guides available if you like that sort of thing and various human guides around the place to help with any questions.
Then we are off to The Hearty Goodfellow, short drive into Southwell itself, for a pub lunch and a bit of a chat about the Workhouse system if we haven't already done enough. There will undoubtedly be plenty more general chat over their excellent food. There is a car park available.
Some of us may wander along for an amble round the Minster. There will be a rehearsal for that evening's concert, so restricted access but free music. Others may amble around the town. Stalwarts are likely to repair, after a suitable interval, to the Horological Institute's tearoom at Upton for cakes on the way home. It would help if you could let me know to expect you for any part and especially if you would like to join us for lunch as they are likely to get busy and I need to book a suitable table for lunch.
Craft, cookery and combat demonstrations are promised by the Chilterns Open Air Museum's Mediaeval Life weekend in Chalfont St. Giles. Post code is HP8 4AB. Admission to the museum costs £9.50 for an adult. Various concessionary rates and family tickets are available. Full details can be found at http://www.coam.org.uk
The museum is home to many reconstructed historic buildings including a post war prefab from Amersham, mediaeval cottages, an iron age house and a working forge. I suggest we avoid the realistic replica mediaeval latrine! There is also a second hand bookshop in the information centre, a tea room and other refreshment outlets.
Meet inside the Museum at Skippings Barn on the village green at 2pm to plan our afternoon. For further details or encouragement please contact me.
Sunday breakfast will be at 10.00am at Carluccio's in the Centre:MK. We will be away, so Becky will be hosting in our absence. You will probably find her 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. Please note: let Becky know by Saturday 12th at Rebecca.cave@taxwriter.co.uk, 01908 295645 or 07941 168131 if you are coming, otherwise she may cancel if there are no takers.
From 7.30pm on we're at the Standing Order on Irongate in the city centre for any combination of food, drink and chatter. Look for the yellow Mblem on one of the long tables in the rear section of the pub.
Meet me from 10.30am onwards for a morning of informal conversation and coffee. This month we are returning to The Grocer @ 91, 91 High Street, Old Amersham, HP7 0DT. This is a very small café so I will get there early to reserve a table. It would be helpful to know you are coming in advance so that I can assemble enough chairs, but you will still be welcome if you just turn up on the day.
Street parking is available immediately outside or there are car parks a short walk away. For further information on the venue see http://www.thegrocerat91.co.uk
We continue our Third Monday of the Month quiz meetings at The Barge at Woolstone, this time hosted by David & Carol. 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 David know beforehand if you're coming so he can reserve a big enough table. Look for the Mblem on a table or call David's mobile on [Phone Number]
I'm back from my hols and look forward to seeing you! (Promise I won't bore you with my photos!) As ever, we'll be at the Cowper Arms, Digswell, Herts (by Welwyn North station) from 8.00pm. Call me on [Phone Number] for more details and encouragement. The pub is next to the railway station, which is served by stopping trains from Kings Cross to Cambridge and Peterborough.
Our 'eating meeting' takes place in Ripley at 7.30pm and will be a Spanish tapas evening at Sweet Temptations on Church Street. The owner is a friend of mine and will be creating a menu and opening especially for our group. The cost is £15.95 per person. Advance booking is essential so please let me know by 10th if you'd like to come along to this special event.
Our regular meeting is moving to "The Crown", High Street Berkhamsted, so do come and try it out from 7.45pm. Parking across the road behind Tesco's free after 6.00 pm. Have a drink or eat with us. The pub does pub meals at very reasonable prices. Look for the Mensa Mag. New members, partners etc. always welcome. Free Car Parking
Our usual "Fourth Thursday" becomes a "Fifth Thursday" this month due to other commitments. Everything else - the location (The Craddock), the time (8.00pm), the excellent company (me) - remains the same!
For more information about any of the above, or just a chat, give me a call on [Phone Number] or email [Email]
I look forward to seeing you soon!