As ever, 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.
Meet me from 10:30am onwards on Thursday 1st May for a morning of informal conversation and coffee. This month we are heading for the café at Hildreth's on Wycombe Road in Prestwood, HP16 0HJ. Free parking and delicious cake! A good range of garden and household items is also available for sale in the shop. See http://www.hildreths.co.uk/ for further details and directions.
The café can get very busy, so if you know in advance you are coming please contact me on [Phone Number]. You will still be welcome if you just turn up on the day.
There are five events for you this month. Starting with our regular get together at the Vat & Fiddle pub on Queensbridge Road (near Nottingham railway station) from 8.00pm on Monday 5th. Why not join us for an alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink and chat to round off the bank holiday weekend? Just look for a yellow Mblem on the table, usually in the Golding's Room to the left of the bar.
Our other regular event falls in the same week this month. We'll be at the Beekeeper pub/restaurant on Thursday 8th and you are welcome to come along for food or just a drink any time from 7.30pm until closing. The menu and bar are reasonably priced as this is a Hungry Horse venue. We have the first long table beyond the food order point at the end of the bar. Again look for a yellow Mblem.
The following evening on Friday 9th we return to Nottingham Greyhound Stadium in Colwick to take part in another charity tournament. Come and cheer on our allocated dog at this fun night out whilst raising money for a very worthwhile cause. I've kindly been donated 100 tickets by the stadium and selling them for £5 each (normal admission and race card is £6) and all this money goes to Cancer Research UK. In addition accompanied under 18s are admitted free of charge. There is food and drink available at the venue and ample free parking. You are welcome to invite friends, family and work colleagues and arrive/leave any time from 6.00pm to 10.30pm. There will be an optional rendez-vous point at 7.00pm. If we win we go through to the finals in October with chance to gain a trophy and cash prize.
Then from 7.00pm the following evening on Saturday 10th we have another event! It's time for my annual Eurovision Song Contest party at my home in Langley Mill! Watch the show. Heckle the acts. Eat a buffet of European foods (contributions welcome). Wear something related to a European country (optional but adds to the fun). Please bring whatever you wish to drink. Some beds/floorspace available for overnight guests. Contact me for directions and to let me know you'll be there to help catering. All welcome!
All the regulars this month, kicking off with the 2SaOTM pub discussion at the Adam and Eve on Lindum Hill, 10th May from 12.05 until we all go home several hours later. If you want to join in talking about 'Censorship', or just to listen, lunch or just imbibe, do join us for as long as you feel like. We're usually in the alcove, Mblem on the table.
On Saturday 10th May come and enjoy a 4.5 mile circular walk from Studley Green garden centre, taking in the bluebells in Bottom Wood. This is a favourite route, with gentle gradients and no stiles, although it can be muddy in places after heavy rain. The bluebells should be out and you can expect to see red kites flying. If we are quiet enough we may surprise some muntjac deer as well.
Sometimes, trying to decide what restaurant to head to is a bit like herding kittens. Some like Chinese, some like Indian, some want Thai, some want Italian.. all of these problems are solved with a trip to Zucchero's World Buffet on Charles Street in Leicester where you can have any combination of the above. Not only that, but there's a pancake machine where you can get fresh crepes, AND it's right next to an ice cream machine! What's not to like?? We're there on Friday 16th May, but please let me know by Tuesday 6th at the very latest if you're coming as I'll have to book a table!
The next event at the Lawrence household in Welwyn is Crazy Croquet on Saturday 17th May. From 3 pm onwards, the plan is to have some lighthearted croquet on the back lawn with the odd libation or two and plenty of laughter. Kerensa, their four year old daughter (and member in her own right) will no doubt provide her own particular brand of entertainment, making it a very family-friendly event. Email Rowena on rowenamlove@gmail.com or call her or Mark on [Phone Number] if you want more details.
On Monday 19th we continue our Third Monday of the Month quiz meetings at The Barge at Woolstone. We meet from 8.30pm in time for the quiz at 9pm - cost is £1 per person. See www.vintageinn.co.uk/thebargewoolstone/ for location and, if possible, let me know beforehand if you're coming so we can reserve a big enough table.
For our mid-week eating meeting, we're re-visiting the chinese restaurant, the Ocean at North Hykeham on Tuesday 20th at 7pm. It would be helpful if you could let me know you're coming by 17th, thanks.
As usual we'll be in the rear of the Standing Order on Irongate in the city centre from 7.30pm on Wednesday 21st. This is as late in month as our "3rd Wednesday" event can fall. Join us for a meal or just a drink. Stay all evening or pop in for an hour. All welcome, especially new faces of which we've seen quite a few over recent months.
Once we've de-podged after our eating-meeting, normal life (or what passes for it) resumes at the Craddock on the Fourth Thursday. I note it's A-List celebrity Dale Winton's birthday that day, so do feel free to bring a cake!
At 7.30pm on Friday 23rd Susan Luke invites you to join her at Derby Theatre to watch Northern Broadsides play "An August Bank Holiday Lark". This is set in the idyllic summer of 1914 rural Lancashire. Tickets cost £25.50 or £23.50 for concessions. It's expected to be popular so tickets will have been purchased by the time you read this. Contact Susan on [Email] or [Phone Number] to find out seat location then buy your own tickets and arrange to meet up on the night.
Lastly, over tea and cakes at my house near Alford, Sun 25 May 3-5pm, we'll be continuing our geographical coverage, this time of the Pacific island groups.
Please join us for breakfast at 10.00 am on Sunday 25th - note the new earlier time. Also please note we are back at Carluccio's in the Centre:MK - probably in one of the red booths just in front of the restaurant. Come for a full breakfast, a snack, or just a drink - look for the Mblem on a table
Finally at 7.30pm on Tuesday 27th we're going to Navarra Italian restaurant on Oakdale Road in Bakersfield for our "eating meeting". I've not previously visited but the venue gets good reviews and the menu is reasonably priced so let's give it a go! Book your place with me by 21st please to ensure we can get a table. Restaurant recommendations appreciated for us to try in the coming months.
Our regular meeting at The Old Mill, London Rd Berkhamsted.
Have a drink or eat with us. Pub does good meals.
New members, partners etc. always welcome. Free Car Parking.
Contact Jenny at [Email].
As ever, we'll be at the Cowper Arms, Digswell, Herts (by Welwyn North station). 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.
Finally, another trip to Bedford on Saturday 31st to visit the recently renovated Higgins Museum & Art Gallery. We did an outing a few years ago but it should look very different now. See http://www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk for more details (entry is free of charge). Meet just inside at 2pm - let me know in advance if you're coming and we will look out for you, but I will be holding an Mblem. Afterwards we may stay for an early dinner either at their restaurant, the Higgins Pantry, or another eatery in the Castle Quarter.