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Current
Editor: Ron Parker
44 Manor Park Rd
Castle
Men
sa’s
New
slet
ter
fo
r the
Wes
t Mid
land
s Re
gion
S
ee
th
is i
n f
ull
co
lou
r o
n o
ur
we
bsit
e.
ww
w.m
en
sa
.org
.uk
Spaghetti
I t is gratifying as an organiser to witness the many
attendees to events organised in our region. And receive thanks for the effort. As any LocSec will tell you the major pleasure is knowing that you our members enjoy the event. Recent events, of the more unusual nature, have received much positive feedback.
“Hi Lynn
I just wanted to say a big thank you from
me and Jill, firstly for all your hard work
in organizing today, and secondly for persevering to make it happen despite
[the apparent] lack of interest.
We had a wonderful day, and managed
to see all of it during the course of a leisurely stroll around. We even stopped
to do a bit of bird watching on our way
back from the Hay Incline Plane.
I know I don't get to many venues or meetings, but am so glad we came today,
and I hope everyone else enjoyed it as
much as we did.
Thank you again Lynn. Vicki “
Do you have a special subject of interest or a special place where such an event could be held? If you feel unable to organise it yourself contact one of the LocSecs who will help or even do it for you!
Ron Photos supplied by David Lovell
What a heritage! Blists Hill
September 2013
Spaghetti
2 September 2013
Regional Officer Lynn Ashburner
01630 673782 [email protected]
Regional Treasurer Ann Rootkin 0121 711 3473, 07773 799937
Regional Secretary
Vicki Bradburn 07855 059983 [email protected]
Regional Young Mensa (18-35) Officer Facebook group: West Mids Mensa 18-35
Regional Newsletter Editor (Sep-Dec)
Ron Parker [email protected]
Electronic copy and image preferred Deadline for each issue is 20th of the month 2 months
prior to publication
Regional Events Coordinator
Martyn Davies 01384 235606 / 07831 512490
[email protected] Deadline as per newsletter..
Please advise if location is wheelchair friendly.
Regional Web Officer
Ann Rootkin 0121 711 3473
[email protected] www.mensa.org.uk/westmids
Regional Publicity Officer Sylvia Herbert, Tel/Fax: 01905 422231
Regional New Contact Officer Tanya Ironmonger, Tel: 01789 292981
Local Secretaries
Birmingham
Steve Hunt 07905 189906 [email protected].
Coventry, Rugby Stephen Hopkins
02476 464934 [email protected]
Dudley, Halesowen & Stourbridge
Volunteer needed please.
Brownhills, Cannock, Lichfield
Chris Buchanan 07845 838129 [email protected]
Hereford Volunteer needed please.
Sutton, Tamworth, Nuneaton
David Lovell 01922 455163 [email protected]
Redditch, Bromsgrove, Alcester John Ross 01789 766683 [email protected]
Sandwell Martyn Davies 01384 235606 / 07831 512490
Shrewsbury
Jackie Earl
01743 850027 [email protected]
Solihull
Ann Rootkin, 0121 711 3473 07773 799937 [email protected]
South Warwickshire
Tanya Ironmonger 01789 292981 [email protected]
North Staffs Sarah Penny
01782 870406 [email protected]
Telford & Bridgnorth
Volunteer needed please.
Walsall, Wolverhampton Volunteer needed please.
Worcester Janet Gunnis
01684 563443 [email protected]
Feel free to contact any LocSec or organiser you wish, areas are not “set in stone”. You June live in one area
and work in another, or just prefer to speak to a man or woman. You can go anywhere and do anything!
If you feel you can fill one of the vacant posts please contact Lynn Ashburner.
September 2013 Spaghetti 3
Regional Officer’s Column
Dates for our 2013 diaries:- One day Mosaic Workshop Saturday 5th October 2013
This is a one day workshop for Mensans who want to learn a new skill in the company of a small relaxed group and to have some time-out in the homely, informal setting of Caroline Jariwala’s studio in Birmingham. No previous mosaic experience necessary. All equipment and materials provided. Caroline is a professional member of BAMM (British
Association of Modern Mosaic) and has been teaching the art of mosaic since 1998. The cost of the workshop, including
all materials and lunch, is £65. Places are limited so get in touch early! For further information contact Ann Rootkin on
[email protected] or 0121 711 3473/0777 3799937.
Mensa-Westmids e-mail group. This is an informal e-mail list for short notice events, and other items of
interest to local members. To join, send a blank email to [email protected].
As an informal list, Mensa has no responsibility whatsoever for the content or views expressed therein.
All this is a lengthy way of saying that my treat for September is the York weekend; it promises to be a classic. And great value, as it is much easier to find a person to share with. I look forward to seeing many of you there.
The day out at Blists Hill Victorian town was a great success. Wonderful weather, lots to see and do, walks, train trips, sitting in a classroom and being taught Victorian style, dressing up in wonderful long dresses, a sing-song in the pub, as well as so many shops homes and businesses that you could go in a look around. Thank you to all those who supported this event. There should be photos from the day out, on other pages.
It seems like a long shot but we are currently (mid-July) in the middle of a heatwave.... can it last till September?
Lynn
September already?
Once the fledglings have left the nest this is no longer the start of term time but the start of the
cheaper holiday season. Alas I have nothing planned. It can be good to go ‘last minute’ for bargains but these are all aimed at those who only ever travel in pairs. This is the one thing that seems impossible to change. OK new tour companies emerge solely for the solo traveller, and I have tried most of these BUT they can say they do not add a single supplement because there is only one price, HOWEVER the equivalent holidays are cheaper in other brochures if you are half of a pair. The worst offenders are the cruise companies, to go as a single person, you may well get a smaller cabin but you pay pretty much the same as a couple would. They do not even tell you that you can eat twice as much. I am going to join a web site that finds travel companions because I am saving up to travel to a few remaining places on my wish list, which I cannot afford to go to otherwise.... Australia, New Zealand, South America, Antartica, for example.... If there is any one else out these with similar dreams... call me!!
Blists Hill Local demonstration the unusual milking techniques for heavy horses.
Spaghetti
4 September 2013 W
hen
W
her
e
Wh
at
Con
tact
nam
e an
d d
etail
R
egu
lar
info
Tu
e 3
6:3
0 p
m
Bir
min
gh
am
B4 6
BJ
Ca
fe
Sci
en
tifi
qu
e
Pet
er
Man
ches
ter
078
46 0
52531
pet
er@
pet
erm
anchest
er.m
e.uk
Pet
e T
esse
ym
an
07977 2
15605
pet
e@te
sseym
an.c
om
Ven
ue:
The
Jek
yll
and H
yde
(upst
air
s G
in P
arlo
ur)
, 28 S
teel
ho
use
Lane,
B4 6
BJ.
Tal
k f
ree:
arr
ive
earl
y t
o g
et a
sea
t! C
onta
ct b
y d
ay
befo
re t
o a
rran
ge
to m
eet
up.
Tu
e 3
8 p
m
Str
atf
ord
u
po
n A
vo
n
CV
37
9X
X
Ea
tin
g/
Mee
tin
g
Tan
ya I
ron
mon
ger
07952 6
54231
wen
tyn@
gm
ail
.co
m
This
mo
nth
we
are
bac
k o
ver
Str
atfo
rd w
ay a
t th
e M
aso
ns
Arm
s,
Wil
mco
te,f
or
a m
eal.
Lo
ok f
or
Mble
m o
n t
he
table
but
sho
uld
be
sat
in t
he
conse
rvat
ory
Sat
7
10:3
0 a
m
Gre
at
Ma
lver
n
Wa
lk
Pet
e T
esse
ym
an
07977 2
15 6
05
pet
e@te
sseym
an.c
om
Reg
ula
r fi
rst
Sat
urd
ay w
alk
up W
orc
este
rshir
e B
eaco
n.
Mee
t at
Gre
at M
alver
n T
rain
Sta
tio
n c
ar p
ark f
or
a w
alk o
f ap
pro
x 2
.5 h
ours
(wit
h a
1000 f
t cl
imb)
follo
wed
by a
pu
b l
unch.
Sat
7
11.3
0 a
m
Sto
ne
Fa
rmer
s
Ma
rket
Sara
h P
enn
y
01782 8
70406/
07775 8
64163
pas
hyo
na@
ho
tmail
.co
m
Mee
t at
the
Far
mer
s M
arket
. W
e ca
n m
eet
for
a st
arti
ng c
off
ee o
r
stay o
n f
or
lunch.
Co
nta
ct S
arah
to l
et h
er k
no
w t
o e
xpect
yo
u o
r
for
dir
ecti
ons
Sat
7
1:0
0 p
m
Gre
at
Ma
lver
n
WR
14
4R
G
Pu
b L
un
ch
Jan
et G
un
nis
01684 5
63443
jannet
_sh
ort
er@
ho
tmail
.co
m
Reg
ula
r fi
rst
Sat
urd
ay p
ub l
unch.
Jo
in t
he
retu
rnin
g M
alv
ern
walk
ers
at T
he
Red
Lio
n,
St.
Ann’s
Ro
ad,.
Par
kin
g i
s li
mit
ed i
n t
he
To
wn C
entr
e but
free
wit
hin
a f
ew m
inute
s w
alk
.
Tu
es 1
0
8 p
m
Led
bu
ry
HR
8 1
BP
.
Ea
sy C
ha
t
Am
y T
ibb
etts
07732 7
42634
Am
y_T
ibbit
ts@
ho
tmail
.co
m
Jan
et G
un
nis
01684 5
63443
Jannet
_sh
ort
er@
ho
tmail
.co
m
Join
us
for
Dri
nk
s, C
hat
, E
ats
at T
he
Hors
esho
e In
n,
The
Ho
mend,
Led
bury
. P
izza,
Tap
as,
Burg
ers
avail
able
unti
l 9p
m.
Fri
end
s and
fam
ily a
re w
elc
om
e to
jo
in u
s.
Wed
s 1
1
8.0
0 p
m
Ken
ilw
ort
h
CV
8 1
LY
P
ub
Ev
enin
g
S
tep
hen
Hop
kin
s 02476 4
64934
blu
e@
star
32.f
snet
.co.u
k
Vir
gin
s and C
astl
e in
the
Hig
h S
t . (O
pp. th
e C
lare
ndo
n H
ouse
Hote
l).
Th
u 1
2
8.0
0 p
m
Stu
dle
y
B8
0 7
NP
Pu
b /
ea
tin
g
Joh
n R
oss
& S
ue
Fra
ser
01789 7
66683,
07976 3
11371,
frase
r.su
e@
vir
gin
.net
.
The
Lit
tle
Lar
k,
Alc
este
r R
oad
. G
oo
d v
alu
e tr
adit
ional pu
b m
eals
,
Goo
d B
eer
Guid
e li
sted
, B
ulm
ers
pro
per
cid
er,
frie
nd
ly L
and
lord
(Mar
k).
All w
elc
om
e at
8:0
0 f
or
eats
, o
r la
ter
for
conver
sati
on.
Fri
13
8.0
0 p
m
Ast
erle
y M
ill
SY
5 0
AR
T
alk
Pet
er
Lew
is
01743 7
91 4
34
Pet
er h
as v
olu
nte
ered
to g
ive
a ta
lk a
nd s
lide
sho
w o
n t
he
his
tory
of
Ast
erle
y M
ill,
fro
m t
he
late
1970's
to d
ate.
A
s he
has
do
ne
the
rest
ora
tio
n h
imse
lf,
I'm
sure
it
wil
l be
an e
nte
rtai
nin
g
evenin
g.
Ple
ase
ring P
eter
fo
r dir
ecti
ons
and a
dvic
e.
Sat
14
7.3
0 p
m
Sto
ke
At
Ho
me
Sara
h P
enn
y
01782 8
70406
Scr
abble
evenin
g (
plu
s o
ther
gam
es
if y
ou b
ring t
hem
alo
ng).
At
Sar
ah’s
ho
use
. T
ea a
nd c
off
ee p
rovid
ed.
Bri
ng o
ther
dri
nks
and
nib
ble
s, i
f re
qu
ired
. T
elep
ho
ne
for
addre
ss a
nd d
irec
tio
ns.
September 2013 Spaghetti 5
Wh
en
Wh
ere
Wh
at
Con
tact
nam
e an
d d
etail
R
egu
lar
info
Su
n 1
5
10.0
0 a
m
Wo
rces
ter
WR
1 2
LZ
B
rea
kfa
st
Jan
et G
un
nis
01684 5
63443
jannet
_sh
ort
er@
ho
tmail
.co
m
Kath
Nic
ol
0121 4
53 2
676,
kat
h@
nic
01.c
om
We
wil
l be
mee
ting a
t th
e C
afe
Ro
uge
in F
riar
Str
eet,
WR
1 2
LZ
.
Join
us
for
bre
akfa
st o
r ju
st f
or
coff
ee/d
esse
rt.
Look f
or
Mag
.
Th
ur
19
8p
m
Sto
ke
ST
4 1
JB
Pu
b
Ev
enin
g
Sara
h P
enn
y
01 7
82 8
70 4
06
07775 8
64163
Thir
d T
hurs
day o
f ev
ery m
onth
at
the
Whit
e st
ar p
ub i
n S
toke,
63,
Kin
gsw
ay,
Sto
ke-
On-T
rent,
Sta
ffo
rdsh
ire
Sat
21
6.0
0 p
m
Ha
leso
wen
B6
4 7
RH
Bo
ard
Ga
mes
Pet
er
& S
ara
h L
an
der
0121 5
01 3
941
mee
ting
s@gre
ebo
.co
.uk
Bo
ard g
ames
. C
om
e and p
lay o
ne
of
our
larg
e st
ock
of
gam
es,
or
bri
ng y
our
favo
uri
tes
alo
ng.
No s
mo
kin
g i
n h
ouse
.
Tu
e 24
7.3
0 p
m
Ast
on
(Bir
min
gh
am
) P
ub
Ev
enin
g
David
Lovel
l 07972
-111407
dav
id.l
ovell
@b
lueyo
nder
.co
.uk
The
Bar
tons
Arm
s, 1
44 H
igh S
t (A
34)
Ast
on,
Bir
min
gham
, B
6-
4U
P.
Gra
de
2 l
iste
d V
icto
rian p
ub,
Cam
ra P
OY
20
04,
wit
h a
n
accla
imed T
hai
foo
d m
enu.
Th
ur
26
8.0
0 p
m
Co
ven
try
CV
4 9
EL
C
hin
ese
Bu
ffet
An
n R
ootk
in 0
121 7
11 3
473
mensa
@annro
otk
in.c
o.u
k
Join
us
for
an "
eat-
all
-yo
u-l
ike"
Chin
ese
bu
ffet
at
Win
g W
ah,
583
Fle
tcham
stea
d H
ighw
ay (
A45),
. E
njo
y o
ur
var
ied e
nte
rtai
nin
g
dis
cuss
ions
whil
e yo
u e
at,
all
for
£11.9
9. A
ll a
re w
elc
om
e to
jo
in
us.
Ple
ase
bo
ok b
y t
he
day b
efo
re
Th
u 2
6
8 p
m
Dra
ke'
s
Bro
ug
hto
n,
Per
sho
re
WR
10
2A
J
Mu
sic
Ev
enin
g
Malc
olm
All
en 0
905 8
41750
all
en798
@su
panet
.co
m
Fo
r a
Men
sa e
qu
ivale
nt
of
Des
ert
Isla
nd D
isk
s at
Shep
way,
Dra
ke's
Bro
ughto
n,
ple
ase
bri
ng a
musi
c re
cord
ing t
o p
lay a
nd e
xp
lain
what
it m
eans
to y
ou. I
dea
s in
vit
ed f
or
subse
quent
4th
Thurs
day o
f th
e
mo
nth
meet
ing
s.
Fri
27
8.0
0 p
m
Bro
wn
hil
ls
WS
8 6
HE
Set
tler
s
Cit
ies
&
Kn
igh
ts
Ch
ris
Bu
chan
an
07845 8
38 1
29,
cb@
chri
sb.e
u
Inte
rest
ing a
nd e
njo
yable
gam
es,
inte
rest
ing a
nd f
riend
ly p
eop
le.
Lea
rn m
ore
on w
ww
.chri
sb.e
u/s
ettl
ers
Fri
27
8.0
0 p
m
Ma
lver
n
YM’s
Du
ng
eon
s
& D
rag
on
s G
ord
on
Tem
ple
ton
01684 5
61643
go
rdo
n@
wdr1
23
m.f
rees
erve.
co.u
k
D&
D s
ess
ion a
imed
at
15 y
ears
- 3
0+
(but
all
welc
om
e) L
oca
tio
n i
s
at M
alver
n W
R14 1
ED
. N
ibble
s an
d s
nac
ks
enco
ura
ged
.
Co
nta
ct G
ord
on f
or
mo
re d
etai
ls a
nd/o
r en
coura
gem
ent.
Mon
30
8.0
0 p
m
Wa
rwic
k
CV
34
4S
S
Pu
b
Mee
tin
g
Joh
n C
hu
rch
man
07704
-456798
warw
ick
olt
@ta
lkta
lk.n
et
The
Punch B
ow
l, W
arw
ick,
CV
34 4
SS
. E
xce
llent
bee
r. N
o
whee
lchair
acc
ess
(lis
ted b
uil
din
g)
but
venue
off
er a
ssis
tance
if
nee
ded
. L
oo
k f
or
the
Mensa
lo
go
on t
he
table
.
Bri
tish
Men
sa L
td a
ccepts
no l
iabil
ity w
hats
oever
for
an
y e
ven
ts o
rgan
ised b
y m
embers
an
d a
dvert
ised i
n i
ts
pu
bli
cati
on
s. O
nly
off
icia
l e
ven
ts a
re o
rgan
ised b
y M
en
sa. P
lease
refe
r to
Im
port
an
t N
ote
s in
th
e W
hat’
s O
n s
ecti
on
of
the M
en
sa M
agazi
ne T
his
dis
cla
imer
als
o a
ppli
es
to t
he c
on
ten
t of
un
off
icia
l li
sts.
Spaghetti
6 September 2013
All
corr
esp
on
den
ce i
s co
nsi
der
ed f
or
pub
lica
tio
n w
het
her
info
rmat
ive,
co
ntr
ov
ersi
al,
hu
moro
us
or
qu
izzi
cal.
T
he
edit
ors
ch
ou
ice
of
incl
usi
on i
s fi
nal.
Fun & frivo
lity
Feel free to submit some for us all to enjoy
After 100 years lying on the sea bed
salvage divers were amazed to find
that the Titanic’s swimming pool was
still full!
Smiffy is doing some roofing work for Bob the Builder, as he
nears the top of the ladder and starts shaking and going
dizzy. He calls down and says .......
"I think I’ll ‘ave to go home, I've come
all over giddy and feel sick."
Bob asks "Ave yer got vertigo?"
Smiffy replies "No I only live round
the corner."
Timothy was delighted to have found a
new girlfriend and thought she might be
the one after all, but after going
through her knickers drawer and
finding a nurse's outfit, a French maids
outfit, and a police woman’s uniform, he
finally decided that if she can't hold
down a job, she's not his type.
September 2013 Spaghetti 7
When I first joined Mensa I was determined, Never,
EVER to attend a meeting. The magazine would be quite sufficient and I enjoyed reading it, especially the colourful Meeting
Announcements,( which flourished at the time) But before long, details of a new Conference Weekend
appeared. It was to be called Mensa at Malvern. This was hide
behind the sofa time. When I surfaced, I decided to meet the Organiser and the Locsec. And everything changed!!
For the last twenty- five years, or so, meeting Mensans from, and in, many places( including Australia) has given me a new lease of life, and many happy memories.
And our current meetings in Worcs. And Herefordshire: Pete's Malvern Hill walks, followed by a Pub lunch continue: Malcolm will be restarting his home meetings, with poetry, music, discussions etc. in Drake's Broughton. In Ledbury, Amy will be holding pub meetings..:
and Graham will be leading Dungeons and Dragons sessions in Malvern. Worcester's Sunday breakfasts continues as ever. Details of all meetings appear in the events
section. Anyone feel like Saturday lunches in Hereford? Do get in touch. All good wishes, Janet ([email protected])
Notes from Janet Shorter.
Letter from Arthur Rothwell
I received an interesting and pleasant letter from Arthur in April but I was unable to reply here due to
changing editors. It was also too long to print verbatim but aside from the generous compliments paid to the
editors for their continued efforts, Arthur found a number of things confusing and suggested that he was not
alone. I have replied directly to him but in the hope others will find this useful I offer a précis of that reply
here.
The editor of the edition you are reading is displayed on the front cover. The months covered by each editor
are displayed on page 2 under Regional Newsletter Editor .
To remove confusion as to whom any correspondence should be sent we have adopted a common email
address which is redirected to both Ross and me (Ron) [[email protected]].
Deadlines! Here is a worked example—Your copy to editors date: September 20, Copy to Publisher date:
September 30 , Print date God knows! delivery to members date: end of October, edition date: November.
On-line and colour versions. The website is given on the cover page WWW.Mensa.org.uk Then fun begins as
you need to login to the Members Area with your membership number and discover that part way down that
page is a link to the regional newsletters. However Arthur points out that the on-line versions, including the
glorious Technicolor efforts I make, are never published at the same time as the printed version which for him,
and we assume others, is most frustrating and probably results in many not bothering to see the much
improved colour edition which can be enhanced and enlarged for easier viewing. Arthur agrees that it is well
worth the effort to find the colour version but the process should be much simpler. I agree!
If you have any comments I would be very happy to hear them as you see we now have a new size format and
any feedback may help us.
Ron
Spaghetti
8 September 2013
John Lester X-Word — Entries by 20th of September 2012 to Ron Parker
Emily Withers Of
Rowley Regis
Congratulations!
Winner
July
solu
tion
September Puzzle entry
Name..................................................
Address:
Membership No..................................
Please note that whilst we hope everyone enjoys our
puzzles and competitions, prizes can only be awarded to
members of the West Midlands Mensa region.
£20.00
Some of the people some of
the time ... !
With regard to Bob
Winn’s rueful comment,
please assure him that I, for one, greatly enjoy his
crosswords: for me they
are by far the best puzzle
in both Spaghetti and the main magazine.
Peter Lewis
S G U K A D O H P
H O D P G S U A K
P A K H O U S D G
O P G A D K H U S
D K A U S H G P O
U H S G P O A K D
A D P O U G K S H
G S H D K A P O U
K U O S H P D G A
1 2 3 4 5 6
13
7 8 9
10 11
23 24 12 12
27 13 13 14
15 29 16
17 18 19 20
38
21 22
45
23
DOWN
1) Stirrer of mushy peas in Stirling for example (8) 2) Tricked, I duelled frantically losing the tip of epee. (7) 3) Composer frequently heard with another. (9) 4) Want everything? He might do well. (4-3) 5) Special day for revolutionary landlord. (3-6) 6) Dear me! My confusion is lamented. (8) 8) One likely to win gold? Saw her, leaping, pass swiftly first. (5-6) 13) One cheering ironically—a private soldier perhaps. (9)
14) With me, minced pork and ham get the bird (9) 15) Paper Hat. (8) 16) They are said at the end of meetings. (8) 18) Grandpa idles slowly having no help in this. (7) 20) Black stuff the woman’s used to calm baby. (7)
ACROSS
1) Volunteers can make martyr ail or tire (11,4) 7) Ways of speaking I'd included in unexpected events. (9) 9) Beetle wrongly called English to begin with. (7) 10) Primitive Lamp casts a pall around Delaware. (7) 11) Criticize and find fault with last of fare: swine food. (7) 12) Even ones dear friends sinned. (5) 13) he’ll breathe animation into this plant. (4-7) 15) top scientist includes arsenic in insect droppings. (5) 17) Accuse old chap, worried having eaten vegetable. (7) 19) See duff cocktail poured out (7) 21) decor OK? No. It’s bent. (7) 22) being debauched could make alky reel, beginning to hiccup drunkenly. (9) 23) Analogy signifies dodgy stuff from abroad. (8,7)
Each answer contains a double letter omitted before entry
onto the grid e.g. Warrior would become Waior.
