Milton Keynes
Thu 2nd Oct - 8.00pm
Jo Sidebottom
FThOTM 

Just our two regular monthly meetings in October. First Thursday is at our regular venue of Jury's Inn on Midsummer Boulevard, on 2nd October, from 8.00pm. Look out for the Mblem in either the foyer or the bar - most likely the foyer as it's quieter. 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.

 Hitchin
Thu 2nd Oct - 8.15pm
Richard Allen
FThOTM 

Our regular First Thursday of the month meeting at the Millstream, Cambridge Road, Hitchin, will be on 2nd October at 8.15pm. Good food and good beer both available! Call me on for more details and encouragement. The pub is about ten minutes' walk from the railway station. Sadly, there are very few evening buses in the area.

 Harlestone
Thu 2nd Oct - 9.00pm
Ian Sargent
FThOTM 

First Thursday of the month sees the first Northants meeting of the month: 2nd October at 9.00pm. Guess what! Yes, it's at the Fox & Hounds in Harlestone. If you don't know where that is by now you haven't been trying very hard. As ever, look for a copy of the Mensa mag on one of the tables to find out where we are.

 Nottingham
Sun 5th Oct - 8.00pm
Maxine Bates
5OTM 

Join me at the Vat & Fiddle from 8.00pm on Sunday 5th where I shall be recovering from a hectic weekend of ballroom dancing and rollercoaster riding. A strange combination, I know! The pub is on Queensbridge Road diagonally opposite Nottingham railway station and close to Broad Marsh bus station. There's also free parking right outside. Look for the yellow Mblem to left of bar.

 Nottingham
Wed 8th Oct - 7.00pm
Paul Henchliffe
Chicks & Flicks 

We have our regular visit to Nando's chicken restaurant followed by a film at Cineworld on Wednesday 8th. Meet at 7.00pm prompt inside the doors to the Cornerhouse in the city centre. Contact Paul on [Phone Number] or [Email] for how to get discount at both venues and/or for film options.

 Spilsby
Sat 11th Oct - 7.00pm
Jacquie Harrison
Chinese meal 

We have a lot of members around what I call the South Wolds area of Lincolnshire and I thought it may be a good idea to have an evening meeting in the area before winter sets in. Some of us have enjoyed the Beijing Dragon before and it has really friendly, helpful staff. Join us at 7.00pm on Saturday 11th October - all very welcome - but please let me know on [Phone Number] if you hope to be there so we can book a suitable table. I can also offer 2 people lifts from Lincoln if you let me know.

 St Albans
Sat 11 Oct - 7.30pm
Les Draper Eames
2SaOTM Eating Meeting 

For SSOTM we return to the Pre Hotel Restaurant, Redbourn Road, St Albans, Herts, AL3 6JZ , on Saturday 11th October. Meet in the bar about 7.30pm to eat at 8.30pm. All welcome, for good food and chat. Book by Tuesday 7th at latest, please. I will try to get the room we had last time, but numbers are limited. Email or call me or, on the night ONLY if you get lost, Andy on [Phone Number]. Look for Mblem.

 Milton Keynes
Wed 15th Oct - 8.00pm
Jo Sidebottom
3WOTM 

Our Third Wednesday meeting at the Old Beams in Shenley Lodge is on 15th October. If you're definitely planning to come, please let me know as it will help us to grab the right sized table, but don't let that put you off deciding on the spur of the moment - you'll still be welcome. See www.mcmullens.co.uk for location and menu details. You can eat or not, as you wish - their food is quite good and reasonably priced. If it's fine, we may be outside, otherwise look around for the Mblem as we don't always get the same table.

 Derby
Wed 15th Oct - 7.30pm
Merry Metcalf
3WOTM 

It's probably time to light the aga and the wood-burning stove again but, who knows, we might be having an Indian summer. Either way, it's also time to join us at the meetings we have planned for this month in your area, so why not come along? The '3rd Wednesday' meeting at the Standing Order in Derby falls on the 15th so why not join us there any time from 7.30pm for a meal or just a drink if you prefer. Just look for the yellow Mblem on one of the tables at the back or for all the tables pushed together, that'll probably be us.

 Yardley Gobion
Thu 16th Oct - 9.00pm
Ian Sargent
Roadshow 

The Roadshow meeting is on Thursday 16th October at 9.00pm and we are off on our travels again. This month we'll be checking out The Coffee Pot, High Street, Yardley Gobion. The village lies just to the west of the A508 a couple of miles north of the Buckinghamshire border (though 25 years ago the High Street was the A508). Once again, a Mensa mag will give away our position though I hope that we will be able to grab the window seats to the right of the front door.

 Nottingham
Sat 18th Oct - 7.30 pm
Maxine Bates
Autumn Charity Ball 

Please see the ad for an Autumn Charity Ball at the Rutland Square Hotel on Saturday 18th October in aid of Cancer Research UK. Tickets cost a reasonable £29 for an evening of fine dining and dancing with £5 from each sale going to this worthwhile cause. Please book by 4th when I need to confirm numbers with the hotel.

 Ripley
Mon 20th Oct - 7.00pm
Merry Metcalf
At Home 

On Monday the 20th I'll be having my 'at home' down here in Golden Valley so please join us for food, drink and (even if I say so myself) excellent company, plus the usual chat and option of board games. As always, if you want some encouragement to attend one of these meetings, advertise one of your own or just want to say hello, then please call or email me as above.

 Guilsborough
Sat 25th Oct - 11.00am
Ian Sargent
Walk 

And finally, we are going to have another attempt at a walk. This was scheduled for June but the dodgy weather forecast on the day put paid to it. Saturday 25th October is the last day of British Summer Time so why not take the opportunity to stretch your legs with a 5 mile stroll around Hollowell Reservoir. Meet up outside the Ward Arms in Guilsborough at 11.00am - which is where we'll be taking lunch afterwards. Like last time, it's dependant on decent weather so best to give me a call before you set out.

 Loughborough
Tue 28th Oct - 7.30pm
Maxine Bates
Eating meeting 

This month's eating meeting is at Moomba Australian restaurant in Loughborough at 7.30pm on Tuesday 28th. Please see the Leicester section for details. Next month we return to Notts and will be having an early festive feast on Tuesday 25th November at the Horse & Groom in Moorgreen where a three course meal costs just £12.99. Pre-booking is essential. For menu and to check availability please contact me as above.

 Loughborough
Tue 28th Oct - 7.30pm
Sue Watford
Eating meeting 

There will be no last Saturday of the month meeting in October; instead we're joining Maxine's group as their regular eating meeting travels to Loughborough this month. So join us at 7.30pm on Tuesday 28th for a taste of Australia at Moomba restaurant in The Rushes. If you've ever wanted to try crocodile kebab, ostrich fillet or kangaroo pie, now's your chance! Simpler and vegetarian options are also available. Menu at www.moomba-restaurant.com. Please book your place with Maxine by 24th.

 Tring
Wed 29th Oct - 7.45pm
Jenny Habib
LWOTM 

On Wednesday 29th October we will meet at La Vina, 69 High Street, Tring HP23 4AB at 7.45pm-ish. This is a new venue, recommended by members, so do come and try it! Due to poker night at the Crown at Ley Hill we do not want to meet there when it is too chilly to sit outside. La Vina does not demand that we eat, and our under 18 members will be allowed in!

 Hertingfordbury
Fri 31st Oct - 8.00pm
Richard Allen
LFOTM 

On Friday 31st October at 8.00pm we are returning to our former haunt, the White Horse, for our LFOTM as the Prince of Wales is presently closed. A warm welcome and stimulating conversation guaranteed! Look for the Mag/Mblem. Hertingfordbury is about 20 minutes' walk from Hertford North station. Contact Gwen on [Phone Number] or me, as below, for further details and encouragement.

 Aylesbury
Sat 1st Nov - 3.00pm
Val Hinkins
Snozzcumbers Exhibition & Meal 

Our October meeting has slipped into 1st November - or the 32nd of October if you prefer. Snozzcumbers & Frobscottle! A free exhibition of original artwork drawn by Quentin Blake for 16 of Roald Dahl's books. Examples start in 1978 with their earliest collaboration, The Enormous Crocodile. Over 80 drawings include material from The Witches, The BFG and Matilda.

This is the last day of the exhibition, which is at Aylesbury Museum. See www.buckscc.gov.uk for further details. Meet at the Museum entrance at 3.00pm. Afterwards we will eat at Carlos's Portuguese Restaurant, near the Museum in Temple Street. The menu includes a wide range of sea food and a good selection of vegetarian options as well as more conventional meat and fish dishes.

I will need to make a booking for the meal, so please contact me, as above, by Sunday 26th October to let me know you are coming.