Wessington
Sun 1st Oct - 4:00pm
Maxine Bates
Alphabet event - V for Vineyard Visit 

Alphabet event - V

We're up to "V" with our alphabet events so what better than a vineyard visit!? A vineyard tour, talk on winemaking and tasting at the newest UK vineyard, Amber Valley Vineyards, in the village of Wessington. The cost is £10 per person and a private visit has been arranged for our group on Sunday 1st October. So also a celebration of Mensa's 71st anniversary! The event will start at 4pm and last up to two hours depending on the weather (if rainy the vineyard tour will be shorter) and number of guests (the tasting will take longer if more wine to pour). I'm told that drivers will safely be able to sample the wine without being in danger driving home. Afterwards we can adjourn to a local pub for dinner for anyone interested.

To find the vineyard: The tour will be taking place in the small vineyard on Back Lane, Wessington (DE55 6EA). Go into Wessington centre. Turn into Back Lane - going past the chip shop on your right continue down this road past all the houses for about 3/4 mile the entrance to the vineyard (just a field entrance, no signs) is on the right.

 Nottingham
Thu 5th Oct - 8:00pm
Maxine Bates
5OTM 

Once again we're at the Vat & Fiddle from 8pm on Thursday 5th, most likely in the Goldings Room between the main bar and the visitor centre but just look for a yellow Mblem on the table. The pub is on Queensbridge Road with postcode NG2 1NB if you need it for satnav purposes and there's parking right outside. New faces always welcome!

 Letchworth
Thu 5th Oct - 8:00pm
Richard Allen
FThOTM 

As ever, on Thursday 5th we are at the Three Magnets, Leys Avenue, Letchworth from 8pm. 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).

 Northampton
Sun 8th Oct - 10:30am
Marianne Kendall
Brunch 

Our usual brunch meeting will take place at the Rendezvous Coffee Shop in Market Walk, Northampton Town Centre on Sunday 8 October at 10:30. While having breakfast, brunch or just a drink we shall describe our dream job and why we are/are not doing it! Contact Marianne for extra encouragement.

 Olney
Wed 11th Oct - 12:00pm
Jo Sidebottom
Museum 

Our first event in October is a visit to the Cowper & Newton Museum in Olney. We'll meet at midday on Wednesday 11th in the Market Square (look for the Mblem) and will have lunch in a nearby restaurant before going on to the museum. Admission is £6. Please let me know by Monday 9th if you are joining us so I can book a restaurant table if necessary, and so that we know to look out for you.

 Nottingham
Thu 12th Oct - 7:00pm
Maxine Bates
Natter & Nosh 

The following week on Thursday 12th we're meeting for a meal at The Cadland on High Road in Chilwell. This is an Ember Inns pub/restaurant and we have a table reserved from 7pm or pop along later for just a drink and a chat.

 Marlow
Fri 13th Oct - 10:30am
Val Hinkins
Coffee & Chat 

Meet me from 10:30 onwards on Friday 13th October for a morning of informal conversation, coffee and cake. This month we are making an excursion to the Cedar Coffee Shop, 28, West Street, Marlow, Bucks. The café serves a delicious range of fresh food and can get very busy, so if you can, please let me know in advance that you are coming so I can choose a suitable table. You will still be welcome if you just turn up on the day."

 Hinckley
Sat 14th Oct - 7:30pm
Joyce Moore
Theatre 

The Opera Project is taking place at Concordia Theatre in Hinckley on Saturday 14th at 7:30pm. Chance to see the tragedy Sister Angelica and comedy Gianni Schicchi in one evening! Book your own tickets at www.concordiatheatre.co.uk for only £10. Contact mewith questions and/or to arrange to meet up before or after the show.

 Lincoln
Sat 14th Oct - 12:00pm
Jacquie Harrison
2SaOTM Pub discussion 

Jacquie is this month's host for our regular second Saturday meeting on 14th October. Join us in the Adam and Eve on Lindum Hill for a discussion around "How much space does a human need?" Around is the word - we are to enjoy tangents. Look for the magazine in the alcove from 12.00noon. We usually move on to the topic at 12.30pm. There is food available and the parking is free. For more details, please contact Jacquie.

 Syston
Sun 15th Oct - 3:00pm
Haydn Starkie
Afternoon tea 

On Sunday 15th October I would like to invite you to join me for a special afternoon tea to be held at Syston Baptist Church from 3:00 pm. There will be tea/coffee, cakes and musical and other entertainment (with a Christian Theme). The church is located on the corner of Goodes Lane and Melton Road in Syston (Sat. Nav. postcode LE7 2JS). There is a small car park at the rear of the church and plenty of parking on Goodes Lane. These events are usually enjoyable so if anyone is interested or wants further information or encouragement please contact me by Friday 13th to let me know if you are coming.

 Leicester
Mon 16th Oct - 8:00pm
Haydn Starkie
3MOTM 

On Monday 16th October I shall host our regular third Monday of the month gathering at The Craddock Arms on Knighton Road in Leicester from 8:00pm. We do not usually have a set topic for discussion so we will see where the conversation takes us. I shall be waiting for you at a table in the lower part towards the rear of the bar. Look out for the Magazine. New faces are welcome. We do not bite and remember that you can bring a friend/partner/random stranger with you. Thank You

 Milton Keynes
Mon 16th Oct - 8:15pm
Jo Sidebottom
3MOTM & Quiz 

Our regular Third Monday visit to the Barge in Woolstone for the quiz is on Monday 16th. Meet from 8.15 - the quiz starts at 8.30pm and costs £1 per person. Please let me know beforehand if you're coming - the maximum team size is 6 people so it helps to know whether we'll be one team or two, or somewhere in between.

 High Wycombe
Tue 17th Oct - 7:30pm
Val Hinkins
Lecture 

If you haven't already got them, buy your tickets now for David Starkey's lecture titled "Henry VIII: The First Brexiteer" at the Swan Theatre in High Wycombe, 7:30pm on Tuesday 17th . Claiming the Reformation as the first Brexit, he suggests Henry VIII's decisions still reverberate today and promises to illuminate both the Tudor Age and our own while discussing parliamentary sovereignty, Henry's tumultuous personal life, religion and modern politics. It should be an interesting evening! Adult tickets are £19.00, concessions available. Please buy your own tickets, but let Val know you are coming so that we can meet up and continue the discussion. Visit www.wycombeswan.co.uk for Further details and tickets.

 Derby
Wed 18th Oct - 7:30pm
Maxine Bates
3WOTM 

It's our regular get together at the Standing Order on Iron Gate in the city centre from 7.30pm until late on Wednesday 18th. It's been lovely seeing some new or resurfacing faces over the last few months and everyone is welcome to join us for food and/or drink and hopefully some interesting conversations. Look for a yellow Mblem on a long table in the rear section of the pub.

 Milton Keynes
Sun 22nd Oct - 10:00am
Jo Sidebottom
Sunday breakfast 

Sunday breakfast is on Sunday 22nd. We will be returning to Brown's, next to Jury's Inn on Midsummer Boulevard (West), for the winter, as it's cosier than Carluccio's. Join us from 10am for a full breakfast, a snack, or just a drink.

 Digswell
Fri 27th Oct - 8:00pm
Richard Allen
LFOTM 

On Friday 27th our usual venue is the Cowper Arms, Digswell. The pub is next to Welwyn North station and is served by stopping trains from Kings Cross to Peterborough and Cambridge. Good food, beer and conversation guaranteed! Come from 8pm. Call me for more details and encouragement.

 Leicester
Sat 28th Oct - 7:00pm
Sue Watford
Eating meeting 

Come and join us on Saturday 28th at 7pm for a meal at the Soar Bridge Inn LE12 8PN on the last Saturday of the month. Booking essential, so please contact Sue and let her know that you are coming by Wed 25th October."

 Beaconsfield
Sat 28th Oct - 2:00pm
Val Hinkins
Alphabet event - V me up! For Model Village 

Alphabet event - V me up! For Model Village

Bring your children / grandchildren with you to Bekonscot Model Village on the afternoon of Saturday 28th October. We will meet at the entrance at 2pm. Bekonscot claims to be the world's oldest model village - building started in 1929. There are six miniature towns from the 1930's to explore, over 200 buildings, 3,000 inhabitants and 1,000 animals. A complex model railway system links them all, with main and branch lines, sidings and up to eleven passengers and goods trains running at a time. All these are set in 1.5 acres of gardens. Additional attractions include a ride-on light railway, children's playground and model boats. Refreshments are available inside the village. Admission is £10.00 for adults; various concessions including family tickets are available and 2 for 1 offers if travelling by train. Children under two are free. Full details at www.bekonscot.co.uk.

 Boston
Sun 29th Oct - 12:00pm
Helen Shovlar
Autumn walk 

Later in the month, join Helen and Paul for a stroll around the Wash Trail (about 2.5 miles) at RSPB Frampton Marsh, near Boston, on Sunday, 29th October, from 12:00-2:30pm. Views over reed beds and out towards the Wash; maybe some interesting birdlife. Meet by the picnic tables, left of the visitor centre, at 12.00 for a quick picnic; look for the Magazine. Walk starts at 12.30 prompt and should take about an hour and a half. They plan to finish with hot drinks back at the picnic area - bring a flask or purchase from the visitor centre machine. RSPB asks for £2.00 donation for car parking; no other charges. For more information, or to let them know you're coming, please email Helen. If the weather looks doubtful on the day, call/text to confirm."

 Flackwell Heath
Mon 30th Oct - 8:00pm
Dave Denholm
Indoor board games 

Join Dave and Alison at their home in Flackwell Heath for a relaxed evening of indoor board games. Arrive for an 8pm start on Monday 30th October. Please contact Dave for directions and to let him know which games you would like to play.

 Hucknall
Tue 31st Oct - 7:30pm
Maxine Bates
Eating Meeting 

I'd hoped to organise a ghoulish goulash meal for our 'eating meeting' this month as it falls on Tuesday 31st, i.e. Halloween, but there is a distinct lack of restaurants serving central European food such as goulash in the Notts/Derbys area unfortunately. Instead we're going for a Bangladeshi meal at Bibiana Lounge on High Street in Hucknall. See"www.bibianalounge.co.uk for menu and reserve your place with me by 27th latest please so I can book a table for 7.30pm.