May Bank Holiday Weekend
East Midlands Mensa offered an assortment of events to members over the late May bank holiday weekend. Starting on the Friday evening a group of us went to Nottingham Theatre Royal to watch the Rocky Horror Show. Having purchased tickets months in advance we sat in the front row of the upper circle so could admire both the show and the costumes worn by the audience. We were no exception and had Magenta, Columbia, Frank'N'Furter and an assortment of lab coats and feather boas in our group. Helen travelled up from London and arrived in spectacular fashion with one minute to curtains up having got stuck in motorway traffic, navigated her way around Nottingham city centre having never been there before and doing a quick change into costume in the bar!
The following evening I hosted my annual Eurovision Song Contest party at my home in Langley Mill on the Notts/Derbys border. So another dressing up opportunity as guests were encouraged to wear something related to a European country. We had a flamenco dancer, a Greek lady, a German kellerbar girl, an Irish leprechaun and a variety of nationality T-shirts. Some guests found a comfy place on the sofa to watch and heckle the show, others mingled around the European buffet in the kitchen, and some flitted between the two. Everyone contributed a buffet item so we had a great selection of food ranging from French breads and cheeses, Greek stuffed vine leaves, Portuguese peri peri dip, Polish sausages, Scotch eggs, Italian pizza, Swiss roll, German black forest gateau, Irish chocolate truffles, Maltesers and much more. There was an optional sweepstake with Mark going home £25 better off. Once the show had finished more guests arrived direct from the Saturday night performance of the Rocky Horror Show so the theme of the evening changed. We played the Rocky Horror Show soundtrack and continued eating, drinking, chatting and singing along finally making it to bed around 3.00 am.
As I had guests visiting from London, Manchester and Ireland who needed entertaining, on the Sunday afternoon I threw an impromptu BBQ with a dozen of us enjoying socialising in the sunshine. We continued to the local pub quiz where we were pipped to the post to win.
On the bank holiday Monday I'd organised a regional day out for East Midlands Mensa to the beautiful city of Lincoln. Despite members travelling from as far as Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire amazingly everyone was waiting at Lincoln Castle gates before the 10.30 am start time. Our private guide then took us on a 1½ hour walking tour of the castle telling gruesome stories along the way. Although a little chilly on the castle walls we were rewarded with stunning views over Lincolnshire. We then strolled across the square to the Magna Carta pub at the top of aptly named Steep Hill where their upstairs restaurant had been reserved for Mensa. Unfortunately service was, despite pre-orders, a little slow so there was no time to enjoy a dessert at the pub although most of our group stopped at the Ice Cream Parlour on Bailgate to sample their unusual flavours en route to our next tourist attraction. Ellis Mill had opened especially for Mensa and two volunteer guides told us the history of the last remaining windmill on the Lincolnshire Edge before allowing us inside to see how it all works. Next stop was the nearby Museum of Lincolnshire Life where members could wander at their own pace to see the various exhibits including school rooms, agricultural machinery, transport, Victorian living conditions and more. Finally we gathered at the Victoria pub on Union Street for a drink and chat. By now the sun was shining brightly and we could sit outside and get a tan for as long as we wished until travel arrangements home.
Thanks to the 60 or so members who came along to one or more parts of this fun weekend. It wouldn't have been the same without you!
Maxine Bates