Something a little different to start the month aimed at those who don't work afternoons, i.e. mothers and children, retirees and shift workers. Meet in the car park at Attenborough Nature Reserve at 2.00pm on Thursday 2nd for an easy stroll around the lake. An ideal opportunity to meet other members whilst enjoying some light exercise and spotting the flora and fauna. The paths are suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs so all ages welcome. There's a café in the visitor centre if we want refreshments afterwards. If you can contact me on [Phone Number] or [Email] beforehand I'll know to look out for you. Also phone if raining as the event may be postponed.
Our first Thursday meeting roves around the Northampton environs once again and this time lands up in Duston. On Thursday 2nd June you will find us in the Squirrels on Main Road from 9pm. If it's a nice night we will be in the beer garden, otherwise look for us inside.
Regular first Thursday of the month meeting. 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 on [Phone Number] for more details and encouragement. The pub is about ten minutes' walk from the railway station. Note that if you're driving, there are major roadworks in the area and you may have to park elsewhere. There is a signed diversionary route from the town centre but if you're coming from the east, access is still possible without restriction.
Our regular First Thursday meeting is at 8pm on 2nd June at Jurys Inn Hotel on Midsummer Boulevard. Look out for the Mblem on one of the tables to the right in the foyer. 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.
Join us for a walk of between 6 and 7 miles, followed by a pub lunch. Hadham Ford is south of Little Hadham, east Herts, off the A120. For details ring Gwen on [Phone Number] or contact me on [Phone Number].
On Sunday 5th we have our regular get together at the Vat & Fiddle pub in Nottingham from 8 until late. Look for the yellow Mblem usually to the left of the bar. New faces always welcome whether you want to pop in for a quick drink and chat or stay all evening.
Our third event within a week will be our 'chicks & flicks' get together at 7.00pm on Wednesday 8th. Meet us inside the doors to the Cornerhouse in the city centre from where we'll dine at Nando's before watching a film at Cineworld. Discounts at both venues make this a good value night out.
The next June event is on Friday 10th, when we are off to the Royal Theatre in Northampton to watch "Eden End" by J.B.Priestley. Advance booking is required so I need to know numbers A.S.A.P. My deadline is 20th May so you may just get this edition of Empress in time. Tickets will be around £23, depending on exactly which seats are available. Please phone ([Phone Number]) or e-mail me for more details if you are interested.
The usual 2SaOTM at The Collection, Danes Terrace 12-2, on the 11th. Do join us for wide-ranging chat with a bit of intellectual discussion thrown in here and there, over lunch or just a quick coffee. With luck, we will be outside, spot the yellow MBlem.
Meet at the entrance to West Wycombe Park at 2pm on Sunday 12th June. You may recognise the house if you have watched Cranford or Foyle's War. Depending on the weather, we will walk around the landscaped park created by Sir Francis Dashwood, founder of the Dilettanti Society and the Hellfire Club and also go into the house to see the sumptuous decoration.
Admission to both house and garden is £8.00, children £4.00. Family tickets also available and National Trust members are free. Don't forget your membership card! Further details of the property can be found at www.nationaltrust.org.uk
There are no facilities at the house, so we will repair to the nearby garden centre or the caves café for refreshments afterwards.
Ring me on [Phone Number] or e-mail me at [Email] to let me know you are coming.
Video evening hosted by Bryan Taylor. Bryan will be showing a mind challenging subject or two from his collection. This should be a very entertaining and interesting evening. Spaces will be limited for this event and access is on the first floor. Parking may also be very limited so please can we arrange to travel collectively. There will also be the usual nibbles/refreshments. Please contact me in advance if you wish to attend.
I hope all Mensans in Derby and environs are enjoying Summer. I look forward to hearing your adventures at the regular 3WOTM Meeting at the Standing Order. No need to book for this but if you are a new member do let me know that you plan to attend so we can look out for you.
As always I am keen to hear suggestions from members old and new as to prospective events / meeting venues. Look forward to seeing you soon.
Finally, we come to the Roadshow, which will be on Thursday 16th at 8pm We are off to our favourite haunted pub: The Barley Mow in Paulerspury. The village is just west of the A5, between Towcester and the Buckinghamshire border. We will be in the bar areas and usually sit to the right of the front as seen from the street.
There's only one meeting in June as I want to do something a little different: I want you to come along and tell me what kind of things you want me to organise; what kind of meetings or get-togethers do you want me to arrange? What is it that I can do to help you get more out of Leicester Mensa? Even if you've never been to a Mensa meet before, why not have a go and come along to The Craddock in Knighton for a bite to eat or just a drink to let me know?
You can find more information (including directions) at http://www.everards.co.uk/pubs/cradock_arms_42/, but please feel free to give me a call on [Phone Number], or email me at [Email] . I really hope to see you there!
Next, we will be having T@3 on Saturday 18th at Dobbie's Garden Centre in Fenny Stratford, just south of Milton Keynes. Look for us in the restaurant from 3pm onwards - there are several sections so we may not be immediately obvious, but we'll be there somewhere.
Michael Rich was such a good host at his 'at home' event in February that we've persuaded him to host another from 8.00pm on Thursday 23rd. This will be a French themed evening with French food and drink (contributions are appreciated) and a little French conversation. How much can you remember from your school days? Enough to have a simple chat or maybe play a game of bingo? The venue is Stapleford but please contact Michael on [Phone Number] or [Email] for the address and directions and to let him know you'll be there.
Last Friday is back to its normal date - hope you can 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 as above for further details and encouragement.
Then on Saturday 25th, it's the annual jaunt to Brayford Pool, hoping for the usual sunshine so we can enjoy the waterside venue munching lunch at Ask. Please could you contact me in advance so that I can book accordingly. [Email] or [Phone Number].
If you're a beach hut person, dates for your diary: Saturdays 16th July and 3rd September.
Finally, please join us for Sunday breakfast at 10.15 am on Sunday 26th June at Carluccio's in the Centre:MK (aka Destination Dining). We will probably be in one of the red booths outside the restaurant. Feel free to come for a full breakfast, a snack, or just a drink.
Our regular pub meeting is at the Essex Arms, Langley Way, Watford. WD17 3EG. Please look for the Magazine on the table.
New members always warmly welcomed.
At 7.30pm on Tuesday 28th we're going for a meal at Codnor Castle Inn. This restaurant is located within the grounds of Ormonde Fields golf club on A610 between Eastwood and Ripley. They serve a range of English and Greek dishes.
Please contact Maxine on [Phone Number] or [Email] by 24th if you'd like to come along so a table can be reserved.
The meeting will be at the Old Mill on Berkhamsted High Street at the end nearest to Hemel Hempstead. There is a car park, but this is popular so try to be there early.
We meet at the end beyond the bar, where it is usually quieter. Turn right as you come into the pub, and walk to the end, we will be on your right. If the weather is good enough we may move outside, so just look around before you come in.
I do hope you will all come, I am hoping to see everyone.