Our First Thursday meeting in Northampton is on Thursday 3rd at the Eastgate in Abington Street, meeting at 7.30pm. The early start is so that members can partake of a subsidised 2-course meal - advance booking is required so that I can ensure that enough funds are available. Non-members are welcome but they will have to pay full price. Blue Badge parking is available outside the pub, whilst on-street parking for others is within a 5-minute walk. It's a Wetherspoon's pub so don't expect haute cuisine. My first memory of this building was as a toy shop that was very popular with the children of the town - the wooden slide from the ground floor into the basement may have had something to do with it.
No need to book, just join me from 10.30am onwards on Thursday 3rd for a morning of conversation and coffee at "The Grocer @ 91" on the High Street in Old Amersham, HP7 0DT. Further information on the venue at www.thegrocerat91.co.uk/home/4575802811
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.
We have four events this month and three of them happen to be in Beeston. So if you live in the NG9 postcode area hopefully one of our events will entice you out. It's always nice to see new faces. But we start with our regular '5th of the month' get together at the Vat & Fiddle on Queensbridge Road in the city centre from 8.00pm on . . . guess when . . . the 5th! The pub is adjacent to Castle Rock Brewery, which is usually well lit at night. We usually have the first table inside the Golding's Room to the left of the bar but the Mensa logo will be on display wherever we are.
We start off October with a trip to Zucchero's in the city centre. Chips & curry? Check! Sushi & spuds? Check! Yorkshire pud on a Thai green curry? It's yours if you want it! We'll be there on Monday 7th at 8.00pm, but let me know by the Friday beforehand if you're coming so I can get a big enough table (and to advise of any last minute changes of plans).
Our first event in October is a visit to Buckingham for dinner. The Nelson Street Restaurant sounds very promising according to its website (www.nelsonstreetrestaurant.co.uk) so we thought we'd try it on Wednesday 9th at 8.00pm. Please let me know by Monday 7th if you plan to come, so I can book a table.
From Wednesday 9th to Saturday 12th, Leicester Mensa member Joyce Moore invites you to Johann Strauss's "Die Fledermaus" at The Concordia Theatre in Hinckley. Lots of fun and some cracking music; tickets and further information are available from Joyce on [Phone Number] or [Email]
From 7.30pm on Thursday 10th we have our 'natter & nosh' event at The Beekeeper on Meadow Lane in Beeston. As the name implies this event involves food and chat, though you are welcome to come along for just a drink if you don't wish to eat. It's a Hungry Horse venue so good value and this month we have some discount vouchers if dining too. Find us displaying a yellow Mblem on the long table just beyond the food order point at the end of the bar.
On Saturday 12th from 12.05pm for 2-3 hours, our regular 2SaOTM at the Adam & Eve pub on Lindum Hill will feature a discussion on 'Men and Women - who's better at what?' I'm looking forward to discovering how much we can agree on, do join us to add your pennyworth. Bar food is available for those who need sustenance, free car parking.
Sunday breakfast will be at 10.30am on Sunday 13th at Wetherspoons on Midsummer Boulevard West, next to Chiquito's and not far up from the railway station (NOT the Lloyds/Wetherspoons nearer the shopping centre and next to Jurys Inn). Come for a full breakfast, a snack, or just a drink - look for the Mblem on a table.
Monday 14th sees a brand new event: Bedford Young Mensan Will Gregory has volunteered to host a discussion on the topic of "Angels and apparitions: reconciling the rational and religious". Will describes himself as "level-headed and logical" but he has experienced seeing an angel, and has been endeavouring to work out how this could be scientifically viable! It sounds like a fascinating subject and one with great potential for debate and discussion, so do come along to the Pilgrim's Progress in Midland Road at 7.30pm and participate.
Join us at the Standing Order on Irongate in the city centre from 7.30pm until late on Wednesday 16th. We'll be on one of the long tables (long because we push several tables together!) in the low ceiling area at the rear of the pub. If you're new you're welcome to phone in advance or turn up on the night and look for the yellow Mblem on the table. Come for a meal or just a drink. And if you have a Cathedral Quarter loyalty card bring that as it gets 20% discount on food!
And so to the very last Roadshow. On Thursday 17th October at 8.00pm we are paying a visit to The Boat Inn, Stoke Bruerne, NN12 7SB. One of the most well-known pubs in the county but just in case you are not familiar with the location the village can be reached from the A508 and A43. We will be in the lounge, which is on the left as you walk through the front door. The pub has been run by the same family since 1877 and the ashes of one of the previous landlords are interred under the floor of the canalside bar (go and have a look - you will smile).
The Madness of George III is coming to High Wycombe's Swan theatre. We will be going to the performance on Thursday 17th, which starts at 8.00pm. Alan Bennett's witty play tells the story of the King's illness and his many treatments. George reputedly had little time for medical advice and refused to co-operate with his physicians. His incapacity led to a fierce struggle for power and influence between scheming members of his family and household. Let me know if you would like to meet up for a meal before the performance and we will agree a time and place. Please buy your own tickets for the theatre, www.wycombeswan.co.uk/Online/ but contact me to let me know you are coming.
Ilkeston's Charter Fair returns to the town for the 761st time and we'll be visiting on Friday 18th. This street fair is one of the oldest and largest in Europe with many of the same rides that appear at the more famous Goose Fair in Nottingham earlier in the month. So whether you want some white-knuckle thrills or traditional side shows or just to soak up the atmosphere wandering around with a candy floss or pot of minted peas (I never realised the minted bit is typically East Midlands!) you're welcome to join us. I propose meeting at 8.30pm but please contact me for the rendezvous point as this will depend on who is interested in coming and where it is easiest for the majority to park. Our visit may also be postponed until the following night in the case of inclement weather.
On Saturday 19th there will be a Beauty Science Day held on the site of Boots HQ in Beeston. It will run from 10.00am to 4.30pm and includes two lectures and four hands-on sessions in state-of-the-art industrial laboratories as well as refreshments and a buffet lunch. If you've ever wondered how cosmetics and toiletries are developed this is your chance to find out and you'll be able to make your own and take home. Full details can be found at www.eastmidsmensa.org.uk - but be quick as the event went on sale in August and was 50% sold out within a week.
On Monday 21st 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 9.00pm - 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.
Wednesday 23rd at 7.00pm will see us at the cathedral for a concert of early sacred choral music by The Sixteen. They featured in Simon Russell Beale's BBC TV series on the subject. Tickets are available online: Lincolncathedral.com/shop, by visiting the cathedral shop or calling 01522-561-644. For more details, [Email]
I note that the date of our usual 4th Thursday (24th) falls on the 10th Anniversary of the last flight of Concorde. Colossal white elephant or Engineering marvel? We'll have a debate! Usual thing - look out for the magazine or yellow mBlem to find us.
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.
Our monthly bit of Teatime Thinking at my house near Alford will be on Sunday 27th from 3.00-5.00pm to discuss 'Time; Totalitarianism'. I provide tea and various cakes, you bring your mind. Contact me for further details, directions, encouragement, etc.
We had a great time when we tried a new venue in August, so we are minded to try another new venture this month. Hence, we're off to Saffron on Eastgate for a spot of Indian cuisine. All welcome to join us on Tuesday 29th at 7.00pm. It would help if you could book with me by 26th if possible, thanks.
Finally we're back in Beeston for our 'eating meeting' at 7.30pm on Tuesday 29th at Amores Italian restaurant on Station Road. Find the menu at www.amoresrestaurant.co.uk and book your place with me by 25th latest please.
The Old Mill, Berkhamsted