This is a walk around the designated Long Buckby Green Space (NN6 7PJ) by Nick Roberts (author of Wildlife of Long Buckby) followed by an optional lunch afterwards at a local pub - The Old King's Head. Meet at 10:30 on Saturday 2 September - parking is available on site. Check out the website: longbuckbygreenspaces.com and contact Jo on [Phone Number] for directions/encouragement.
Our first event in June is a return to Dobbie's Garden Centre in Fenny Stratford (just south of MK) on Saturday 2nd for tea, coffee & cakes from 3pm in their restaurant. All members welcome as usual - we will probably be in the conservatory area at the back.
Amersham Museum has recently re-opened following a 10 month refurbishment. The expanded displays include more information about the twentieth century and greater access to maps. The garden has also been redesigned and replanted and wheelchair access improved. Admission is £3 for adults, children free. Meet me at the entrance to the Museum on the Broadway, Old Amersham at 2pm on Sunday 3rd September. Afterwards we will find refreshments at one of the local tea shops. Please ring me on [Phone Number] or e-mail me at [Email] for further information or encouragement.
Alphabet Event - U is for Underground
This month we're going underground with a visit to the Peak District Lead Mining Museum in Matlock Bath. Experience an authentic 1920s lead and fluorspar mine on a one hour tour. For safety reasons please wear flat shoes. The climbing shafts and hazard tunnels under the Matlock Bath Pavilion are so realistic that the local emergency rescue teams use them for training.
Squeezing through the network of nooks deep in the Derbyshire countryside you'll get an insight into the working conditions experienced by miners for hundreds of years. There is also opportunity to pan for 'gold'. Afterwards visit the museum to learn about what happened to all these minerals once they were removed and how the men and children working below ground made such lucrative money for those above.
A provisional booking has been made on their 2pm tour on Sunday 3rd September but please contact Maxine as soon as possible if interested so numbers can be confirmed. The whole visit including mine tour and museum visit should last around two hours and we can wander along the river for fish and chips afterwards if you don't have to dash off.
Parking is available in two pay and display car parks in Matlock Bath so I'll do my best to arrange car shares if anyone would like to do that. Cost of the tour is £7 adults £5 under 18s. £6 concessions or £20 for a family of up to 2 adults and 3 children payable on the day. We will need to meet 10 minutes before the tour at the museum entrance at the Grand Pavilion on South Parade. All ages welcome.
On Tuesday 5th we're meeting at the Vat & Fiddle pub on Queensbridge Road (NG2 1NB). Come along any time from 8pm until late. Pop in for a quick drink or stay all evening. There will likely be serious and silly chatter. Look for yellow Mblem on the table, probably in the GoldingsRoom.
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 on [Phone Number] for more details and encouragement. Digswell Fri 29 Sept 8.00 pm
I will already have moved but the aim is to keep the 2SoTM pub discussions going, so I've arranged for this month's meeting as usual. People gather at the Adam and Eve on Lindum Hill in Lincoln from about noon, discussion starts at around 12.30; food available; free parking; weather permitting - table in garden, otherwise, usually in the alcove. This month's topic is "Do we want equality or fairness?"
Join us from 7.30pm on Thursday 14th for a meal or later for just a drink at The Cadland, High Road, Chilwell. Look for Mblem on tables 20-24 pushed together at the far side of the bar. Menu at www.emberinns.co.uk and if you sign up to The Cadland email list you'll receive regular discount vouchers such as money off food or free drinks.
Meet me from 10:30am onwards on Friday 15th September for a morning of informal conversation, coffee and cake. This month we are returning to Café Zest on the top floor of House of Fraser in the Eden Centre in High Wycombe. There are lifts available and the store is very close to the bus station. No need to book, but if you want me to look out for you, let me know you are coming on [Phone Number] or e-mail me at [Email]
Our usual get-together will be on Sunday 17 September at the Rendezvous Coffee Shop in Market Walk, Northampton Town Centre. While having a breakfast, brunch or just a drink there will be a fun caption competition (free coffee/tea for the winner(s)!). Contact Marianne on [Phone Number] or email: [Email].
Sunday breakfast is on Sunday 17th at Carluccio's in the Centre:MK. Join us from 10am for a full breakfast, a snack, or just a drink. We will probably be in one of the red booths in front of the restaurant.
In the absence of a local secretary, we have decided until further notice to hold a monthly social meeting on the 3rd Monday at the Cradock Arms, 201 Knighton Road, Leicester LE2 3TT. Free car park. Please join us for a drink and chat. You can find me seated with a Mensa magazine or contact me beforehand so that I know you are coming on 07941843275 or [Email].
Our regular Third Monday visit to the Barge in Woolstone for the quiz is on Monday 18th. Meet from 8.15 - the quiz starts at 8.30pm (note the earlier start time) 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.
Back above ground we're meeting at the Standing Order (Wetherspoon) on Iron Gate in the city centre from 7.30pm until late on Wednesday 20th. Find us on a long table in the low ceiling rear section of the pub. New faces always welcome to join our growing group for food and/or drinks.
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 25th September. Please contact Dave on [Email] or [Phone Number] for directions and to let him know which games you would like to play.
It's a while since we've hosted an event in Mansfield Woodhouse so on Tuesday 26th we're going for a Chinese meal at the Double Dragon restaurant at 54 Station Street. Their eat-as-much-as-you-like menu costs only £12. See www.doubledragonmansfield.co.uk and reserve your place with me by 22nd latest please so I can book a table for 7.30pm. We have now been hosting our 'eating meetings' for nine years. Many restaurants have opened in that time as well as some closing. If you can recommend a good eatery please let me know!
Last Friday is at our usual venue of 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! Please call me on [Phone Number] for more details and encouragement.
We are having a skittles evening with a choice of a vegetarian or meat meal (7.95 per person) at the Blue Bell 36 Main Street Hoby LE14 3DT in the Skittles Alley. If you would like to join us please contact Sue to book a place on [Phone Number] or [Email] by Sun 10th Sept.