EMPRESS

I go to the cinema (Cineworld) in Stevenage Leisure Park (16 screen) on Friday evenings; if you wish to join me please call me on [Phone Number] or [Phone Number]. There is usually plenty of choice! Stevenage Leisure Centre is next to Stevenage station, which is also served by local bus services.

Continuing our First Thursday Eating Meetings at La Tasca in Xscape - see www.latasca.co.uk for details. Meet in bar just before 8pm. Booking essential by Tuesday 2nd - contact Jo at [Email], or [Phone Number] / [Phone Number] for directions/ encouragement.

Lots happening this month! Starting with our regular get together at the Vat & Fiddle pub. Look for the yellow Mblem on the table, but I can't guarantee we'll be in our usual spot to the left of the bar as the venue is undergoing refurbishment.

Come along to my place, [Address], and do something different of a Sunday evening - crosswords completed, live music, historic Snorbens (is there a local dialect? - discuss) and more. Entry by rattling the letterbox loudly! Encouragement etc on [Phone Number] /[Email]

Meet us for our other regular, "chicks & flicks" inside the doors to the Cornerhouse in the city centre from where we'll dine at Nando's restaurant before watching a film at Cineworld. We have discount at both venues so a cheap night out!

We've been competing at the monthly quiz at the Plume of Feathers, Little Wymondley, for a few months now and even won on the first two occasions! So why not come and help the regulars defend our honour? Food also available. The pub is in Little Wymondley village and is served by bus 101 (Luton - Hitchin - Stevenage). Ring Richard on [Phone Number] or Helen on [Phone Number] for further details and encouragement!

Join us at The Priory pub in Loughborough for a drink and a chat. We thought it might be nice to share holiday/travel stories so please feel bring along any snaps. Tel: [Phone Number] for directions.

Come along to Hollywood Bowl at the Meridian Leisure Park in Leicester for a game of ten-pin bowling. Booking lane on arrival so meet promptly by the booking desk. £4 per game. Free car parking available. For directions email [Email] or phone [Phone Number].

Q is for a meal at the Quintessential Italian restaurant, Graziano's. See www.graziano.co.uk for details. Book your place with me by Monday 8th, contacts as below.

Pub meal at the Lytton Arms, Old Knebworth (about 1 mile east of Knebworth village and railway station - no evening bus service). Good food and plenty of real ales available! Ring Helen on [Phone Number] for further details and encouragement.

Our usual third Wednesday of the month meeting is at the Standing Order on Irongate in Derby. At the March meeting two years ago, which coincided with St. Patrick's Day, they were giving away Guinness pens. At the St. Patrick's Day meal at Langley Mill this year I won a Guinness pen so you can compare my new toy with the old one.

Well it is May and thankfully Spring is here with lighter nights and warmer weather. Do come along to Eat Thai and tell us about your plans for the bank holiday and the Summer.

Following the success of our St Patrick's Day dinner we're returning to the Bridge Centre in Langley Mill for their "Taste of Britain" meal. This comprises Welsh rarebit, lamb shank, apricot sponge, English cheeses and coffee for a good value £15.95 per head. Please book with me on a first come, first served basis.

The following night I'm hosting a Eurovision Party at my home. Come and watch the Eurovision Song Contest live on TV, dress in the national costume of a participating country or take part in the sweepstake. (I'll see if I can make it a hat trick!) Call me for directions and to let me know you're coming.

R is for Ramble and pub lunch. Join us for an exhilarating 4 mile walk around the village of Aldbury. Our guide book says "This is an easy walk in which you can enjoy the hills without the climbing! The wooded hillside of Ashridge and the bare slopes of Pitstone Hill are particularly impressive and the beech clad Aldbury Nower is a delight - as is the Ridgeway Path that passes through it".

Join me for a 6-mile walk in the countryside through Monsal Dale. Starting point is the Pay & Display car park at Monsal Head and can be found on the B6465 out of Ashford-In-The-Water. Walking boots and walking pole recommended. Planning to stop for lunch in Ashford-In-The-Water. E-mail [Email] for details.

One week later, I want to try out the pubs in Westwood, of which place no one has ever heard. In fact, it's the village I moved to at Christmas but I'm too shy to go alone into any of the three pubs in the village so will at least one kind soul in Mensa please come and keep me company and then I can find out what they're like? I certainly cannot promise an evening of undiluted excitement and pleasure but if it becomes too bad we can always go up to the Hole in the Wall at Underwood. More info on [Phone Number] or [Email]

This month's Roadshow venue is the Talbot Inn in Meadow Road, Kettering - where, according to legend, the Rolling Stones once got drunk before a gig at the nearby cinema. I doubt if you'll find any famous faces there tonight, but there will be a few tellers of tall tales in the lounge.

Regional Rove

We start this year's Regional Rove at my place in Letchworth with a party; the theme of which will be "World food and English drink", which also allows us to celebrate the start of English Wine Week! I'll provide food, BYOB (which doesn't have to be alcoholic but must be from England!). LONA. For further details and encouragement, please contact me on [Phone Number]. The house is about ten minutes' walk from Letchworth railway station and the town centre (for local bus services).

Regional Rove

Join us "At Home" for the MK leg of "Regional Rove": an informal social evening with board games and buffet. Contact Jo or Chris for address, directions & further info, [Phone Number]. Soft drinks provided but BYOB. NSI, Cats in residence, LONA or can provide B&B, hotel, YHA info.

Regional Rove

We continue the Regional Rove with a six mile country walk starting and finishing at Ayot St Lawrence, which is about two miles west of Welwyn. Meet by the church at 10.30 (OS grid reference 195169, Explorer sheet 182) and we will have a pub lunch at the Brocket Arms pub when we finish the walk. Ayot St Lawrence is also the location of "Shaw's Corner", the former home of George Bernard Shaw, which we can visit after lunch. No public transport available (nearest stations Welwyn North, 2 1/2 miles away, or Harpenden, 3 miles away); if anyone needs a lift please contact me. For further details and encouragement please call me on [Phone Number].

Regional Rove

The following weekend I'm hosting another party as part of our "Regional Rove". This time it has a wine theme. Guess the origin of a variety of wines. There will be free tasters for drivers or those not too keen on wine or it's £5 per person for five full glasses. A buffet will be provided. Please confirm attendance by 24th to help catering.

Regional Rove

A visit to the internationally renowned EcoHouse off Hinckley Road, Leicester. The EcoHouse demonstrates hundreds of environmental features and ideas to make your home and garden greener. £2 Entrance charge. Light refreshments available from the cafe. Annual fundraising plant sale in the organic gardens. Let me know if you're coming on [Email] or [Phone Number]

Regional Rove

Ever fancied flying? You can do it at Airkix in MK - see www.airkix.com for details/terms & conditions. Cost £40, places limited so first come, first served. Please book with Chris by 23rd May latest, [Email] / [Phone Number] / [Phone Number].

Regional Rove

Whether you've been skydiving or just enjoyed a lie-in, join us at Nando's at the front of Xscape from 1 pm. Decide on afternoon activities - rock climbing, snowboarding, or for the less energetic, a film or some leisurely shopping. Contact Jo as above for directions/ encouragement.

Regional Rove

Blow away the cobwebs the following morning with a treasure hunt around Nottingham city centre starting at 11.00 am from the entrance to the castle and finishing for lunch at Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem pub, the oldest inn in England. The treasure hunt costs only £1 per person with a prize for the winner(s).

Finally we have our "Postcode Pubcrawl" event. Join us for steak night at The Ernehale, Nottingham Road, Arnold. This is a Wetherspoon venue and the full menu is also available for non-steak eaters. Look for the Mblem in the no-smoking section.