Another trip to one of our favourite venues, Gibraltar Point, Skegness, to sit and chat in the cafe and indulge in one of their wonderful cakes, maybe do a bit of bird-watching or just walk about the nature reserve. All very welcome. For more information, etc, please contact [Email].
The perfect cure for eating and drinking too much over a Bank Holiday! I'm hosting a five mile circular walk from Harlington station (London to Bedford line) with a pub meal to finish. Meet at the station at 1030. The terrain is fairly easy with some hills.
If you can't think of anything better to do on the May Day Bank Holiday (2nd May) how about joining our Scenic Saunter. The village of Arthingworth is the start point, meeting outside the Bull's Head at 11am. This is a 3 mile circular route, partly through open country and partly along the Brampton Valley Way - so bring stout footwear and a TORCH! If you can't make the walk you are welcome to join us in the pub for lunch afterwards; I guess that we will be there sometime between 12.30pm-1pm.
With spring slowly turning to summer (with any luck), I thought we'd take our rolling-roadshow of eating meetings to a lovely little canal-side restaurant on the North side of Leicester, and go to The Hope and Anchor on Weds 4th May at 20:00 (More details are at http://www.pub-explorer.com/leics/pub/hopeandanchorsyston.htm). Now, Wednesdays are usually their "quiz & curry" nights (although they do a normal menu as well), so it would be nice to see a bunch of tandori-laden Mensa ringers sweep the board in the quiz.... I'm going to be disappointed, aren't I? Anyway, please call me on [Phone Number], or email me [Email] to let me know you're coming as tables might be busy.
Please join us from 8.00pm on Thursday 5th for our regular get together at the Vat & Fiddle pub on Queensbridge Road (near Nottingham railway station). At our March event unusually we didn't manage to get our regular table to the left of the bar. But this led us to sit at the other side of the pub where we found a stack of boardgames. So it became the stereotypical Mensa event playing games to test our trivia knowledge much to the amusement of a new face that evening! Look for the yellow Mblem on the table or phone [Phone Number] beforehand for directions.
Our 1st Thursday meeting is at 9pm on 5th May and we are heading just to the east of Northampton on the A4500 (the Wellingborough Road). The World's End at Ecton is the venue and I'm sure that it's the first time we have used the place.
Our regular First Thursday meeting is at 8pm on 5th May 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 Jury's and The Hub, so we usually try and get in across the road and then walk through the underpass.
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.
Following the really successful 'favourite music' evening, I'm planning the same format with a favourite book. Please bring a favourite book with you and share what you like about it. Then choose a paragraph to read. I propose 10 minute slots as this worked really well for the last occasion. The usual nibbles/refreshments.
Venue is my place - [Address]
Our 'chicks & flicks' event takes place on Wednesday 11th. Meet at 7.00pm inside the doors to the Cornerhouse in the city centre. The offer at Nando's has changed from a free unlimited soft drink to 20% discount off food. This is for Cornerhouse card holders and you can obtain one for free by visiting www.cornerhouse.tv. After dinner there's the option to watch a film at Cineworld. There are usually enough of us to get the 2-4-1 Orange Wednesdays deal. Why not join us for this good value night out?
Do join us in the coffee bar at The Collection, Danes Terrace for lunch/snack or just a quick coffee. Usually we're at the far end of the room, spot the yellow Mblem. All very welcome, for more details/encouragement please contact me on [Phone Number], or [Email]
On Saturday 14th it's time to eat, drink and dress in all things European at my annual Eurovision Song Contest party! BYOB and a buffet contribution if possible. We tend to have everything from French cheeses to Italian pizza to German Black Forest gateau to Maltesers. There's also an optional sweepstake to add to the fun and one person could go home richer! Some people heckle the TV all evening, others mingle in the kitchen or garden, and some flit between the two. Arrive from 7.00pm at my home in Langley Mill. For directions and to let me know you'll be there please phone [Phone Number] or email [Email]
Please join us for Sunday breakfast at 10.15 am on Sunday 15th May. I will post the venue on the East Midlands email list and website, or please contact me. Feel free to come for a full breakfast, a snack, or just a drink, but if possible please let me know by Saturday 14th so we have an idea what size table to grab when we arrive.
I am writing this in the middle of March when signs of Spring are very much in the air. Daffodils are out and it is getting noticeably lighter. By May, when you read this, the days will be very much longer and, hopefully, it will be much warmer. I've recently met some interesting Mensans at local meetings who have either moved to the area recently or have attended a meeting for the first time in a while. I am hoping to meet more "new people" in May. Our regular Derby pub night at the Standing Order is usually well attended with a core of around a dozen regulars that can swell to 20 people or even more is a good place to meet local Mensans.
I'm getting the hang of holding this "Third Thursday of the Month" get together on the third Thursday of the month now, as this will be the second time in a row I've managed it! Tea & Buns all round!
Head off to The Old Horse on London Road (my wife and I tried the food last time we were there, and it wasn't too bad!) at 20:00 as this month's conversation topic is finding out who to blame for losing the quiz earlier in the month!. Please give me a call on [Phone Number], or email me [Email] for further details / reassurance / counselling.
The last meeting for the month is the Roadshow meeting, which is on the west side of Northampton - about halfway to Daventry. The date is Thursday 19th May and we will be at the Saracen's Head in Little Brington from 8pm - possibly the only pub in the country with a red phone box in the bar.
I am also planning something different, by way of an experiment this month. A visit to Morley Hayes hotel and golf club. This was tried before my time and, I am told, went down quite well with those that attended. If you are not a golfer don't worry as the food is good and the restaurant comfortable so come and give it a try. Please however telephone or e-mail to tell me that you are coming by Sat 14 May. Enjoy the Bank Holidays and the remainder of Spring.
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.
Our final meeting in May is an Eating Meeting at 7.30 pm on Wednesday 25th. However, we haven't yet decided on a venue so again please contact me or check the East Midlands email list and website. We're obviously feeling a bit indecisive this month, but with such a huge choice of restaurants in MK these days we feel we have an excuse!
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.
Looking forward to seeing you all.
Last Friday is back in it's usual place so we 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 on [Phone Number] for further details and encouragement.
Mark has offered to host a Saturday afternoon theatre trip on Saturday 28th May. Come to Wycombe Swan at 2:30 pm to see Journey's End by R C Sherriff. All tickets £15. See www.wycombeswan.co.uk for full details. Afterwards we will go for a meal in the town centre.
Based on the author's own experiences of life in the First World War, this award winning production celebrates humour and courage in the face of certain tragedy.
Join Mark for the play, the meal or both. Please buy your own tickets for the Swan, but ring Mark on [Phone Number] or e-mail him at [Email] to let him know you are coming.
Our regular last Tuesday 'eating meeting' will take place at Bartlewood Lodge in Ockbrook at 7.30pm on 31st May. This is a Crown Carveries venue with main meals costing £5.79 for a choice of three roasts, Yorkshire pudding, stuffing and all the vegetables you can eat. There are also vegetarian options. Starters, desserts and drinks are extra. Not only is this a get together over a meal but also a celebration of significant birthdays of two Derbyshire members, Susan Luke and Mark Graves. Please advise if you can join the celebration on [Phone Number] or [Email] so we can grab a large enough table.