As ever, we are at the Three Magnets, Leys Avenue, Letchworth. Thursday nights are curry nights but other food (standard Wetherspoons' fare) is available as well. Leys Avenue is the main shopping street in Letchworth and is a few minutes' walk from the station (Kings Cross to Cambridge line). Call me for more details and encouragement.
Lots happening this month! Join us from 8.00pm on Thursday 5th at the Vat & Fiddle pub on Queensbridge Road. Almost city centre but not quite enough to have to pay for parking! We'll most likely be in the Goldings Room to the left of the bar. Just look for a yellow Mblem or Mensa Magazine on one of the tables.
This is the fourteenth year of the popular country fair at Stotfold Mill, which is always worth a visit. The Mill itself, a restored watermill, will be open and there will be various displays and shows on (plus a real ale tent!). Stotfold Mill is an increasingly rare example of a working watermill, which was almost destroyed by fire many years ago but has been painstakingly restored. I plan to be there from about 1 pm on the Sunday; if you're interested in coming, give me a call on [Phone Number] for details, encouragement and directions. Stotfold is on the A507 west of Baldock and north of Letchworth and the event is signposted using temporary AA signs, but for satnav users the postcode is SG5 4NU. I can pick people up from Letchworth or Hitchin stations.
Our first event in May will be a leisurely walk around Campbell Park on Sunday 8th. We'll meet outside the front of MK theatre at 11am and walk over the footbridge to the park together. Please let me know if you'd like us to look out for you.
Enthusiastic games players Dave and Alison invite you to their home in Flackwell Heath for an evening of indoor games - possibilities available include Boggle, Enigma, Sherlock Holmes, Mid- Life Crisis and many others. Arrive for an 8pm start on Monday 9th May. Space is limited, so please contact Dave on [Email] or [Phone Number] for directions and to let him know which games you would like to play.
Feeling Tuesday-ish? Second day back at work and the weekend still seems miles away? Why not treat yourself and come along to The Boot Room's CBA menu on Tuesday 10th May at 7:30 in Leicester? This is one of my favourite city centre restaurants, and their CBA menu is an excellent reasonably-priced introduction. More info from them at www.thebootroomeaterie.co.uk but we'll need to book early as it gets popular. Please can you let me know by 3rd May at the latest so I can do the necessaries? CBA? Can't be a......
A week later on Thursday 12th we're at the Beekeeper on Meadow Lane in Beeston. We should be on one of the larger tables to the left as you enter but ask for me and I'll make sure the greeter shows you to our table if we are elsewhere. They have gone posh and now have a greeter at the door. But it's the same good value food and drink so come along any time from 7.30pm.
Meet me from 10:30am onwards on Friday 13th May for a morning of informal conversation and coffee. This month we are returning to the café at Chenies Garden Centre near Little Chalfont, WD3 6EN. Only two miles from Junction 18 on the M25. Free parking. Delicious cake! A good range of plants, garden tools, garden furniture, gifts and food is also available for sale in the shop. See http://www.vanhage.co.uk/garden-centres/chenies for further information and an idea of the goods and services on offer. The café can get very busy, so if you know in advance you are coming please let me know so I can assemble enough chairs. You will still be welcome if you just turn up on the day.
We will be at our usual venue, 'Adam and Eve' on Lindum Hill, maybe in the garden, otherwise in the alcove, look for MBlem. This month's topic: 'Can political dimensions be avoided in museum collections?'
The inaugural get-together will be at the Rendezvous Coffee Shop, Market Walk. This is a new event with a new host so do please come for a drink, breakfast or something more substantial. Contact Marianne on [Phone Number] or email [Email]. I'll be in the seating area on the left of the entrance nursing a copy of the Mensa magazine. Look for the red hair!
Our monthly visit to the Barge in Woolstone for the quiz is on Monday 16th. Meet from 8.30 - the quiz starts at 9pm and costs £1 per person. Look out for the Mblem on a table. Please let me know beforehand if you're coming so I can bag a large enough table.
We're at the Standing Order on Irongate in the city centre from 7.30pm until late on Wednesday 18th for food and/or drink. Look for a yellow Mblem on a long table in the rear section of the pub. It's not a Mensa event unless we've rearranged the tables!
On Thursday May 19th Mark Steel asks "Who Do I Think I Am?" at the Old Town Hall, High Wycombe. After appearances on Have I Got News for You, the News Quiz, QI and Room 101, Mark Steel is a well-known performer. He also writes for the Independent. "Who Do I Think I Am?" tells the story of his search for his own origins - a surprising and enthralling history. First presented at the Edinburgh Festival in 2015 The Scotsman's review described it as frank, dryly funny and moving, but subtly thought-provoking too. Please note there is a minimum age limit of 14 years. Tickets (£16.00) and further information from https://wycombeswan.co.uk/Online. Doors open at 7:30pm and the show starts at 8:00pm. Please buy your own ticket(s), but let me know you are coming so that we can meet up beforehand.
On Thursday 19th I'm organising a fashion show to take place at Underwood Miner's Welfare (NG16 5GA). Doors open 7.00pm with the show starting at 7.30pm. It will feature items from most of the major high street clothing stores and afterwards there will be chance to try and buy at heavily reduced prices. Tickets cost £3 including admission, the show and entry into a prize draw. Please contact me if you'd like to buy any. There will also be a raffle and tombola with all proceeds going to Cancer Research UK. Get there early as last year this event was hugely popular!
Meet me at Saunderton Station at 11 am on Sunday 22nd May for a 7 mile walk in the Chiltern Hills. We will stop for a pub lunch on the way to Bledlow and then visit Bledlow Manor Gardens before walking on into Princes Risborough. The gardens are only opened to the public a few times a year for charity and there is a £5 admission charge. Refreshments will also be on sale. If coming by car, park at Princes Risborough station and take the train to Saunderton for the start of the walk. Note there are no facilities at Saunderton. I will need to book us a table for lunch, so please let me know you are coming by Sunday 15th May. For further details or encouragement contact me.
Sunday breakfast will be on 22nd at 10am at Carluccio's in the Centre:MK. You will probably find us 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.
After that, it's our first Fourth Monday as our Fourth Thursday is no more! It has ceased to be. If you go to The Cradock on a Thursday, we won't be there; go on the fourth Monday instead. (Incidentally, this is likely to be the last time we go there as we look to move to a new venue). Write this down and stick it on the fridge: Monday Twenty Third May - Leicester Mensa's First Fourth Monday at Eight. Simple, eh?
By popular request, a return to one of our favourites, Carluccio's. All welcome but please book with me by 21st if possible, thanks.
Last Friday is at our usual venue of the Cowper Arms, Digswell and what better way to start the Bank Holiday weekend?
At 7.30pm on Tuesday 31st we return to Gino's Italian restaurant on Church Street in Ruddington (NG11 6HD). As this is a popular place I've already reserved a table but please let me know by 27th if you'd like to come along in case numbers need altering. Their menu is at ginos-ruddington.com where you can see their Tuesday special offers too.