IBM Retirees Club (Midlands)
(www.retireesmidclub.org.uk)
July 2010 Newsletter
Editorial
Our Summmer Lunch was adjudged as very successful, the only down side was that the attendance of 40 was lower than on previous Summer Lunches. Many thanks to Carole for her hard work in organising the event at this excellent location.
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As a result of the July Committee meeting, we have added a couple of events to the 2010 list and I have updated the Calander accordingly. Note that, although we are sponsoring the trip to Rioja, there will not be a subsidy. Please see later in the Newsletter for details of the events for the remainder of the year but the following list may be useful (I have not included those events which have already been announced).
22 August - Sunday Lunch on the Shakespeare Express. Details and booking form in this Newsletter.
25 September - Visit to Shuttleworth Collection. Details and booking form in this Newsletter.
21 October - Day Trip to Lincoln. Details and booking form in this Newsletter.
28 October - Visit to Bletchley Park. Details later.
24-29 October - Rioja Trip. Details in this Newsletter.
11 November - Skittles at Snitterfield. Details to be announced later.
The next meeting of the PC & Technology Group will be Friday 30th July 11:00 - 1:00. Agenda not yet available.
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Brian Wilson, Newsletter Editor. Telephone: 01926-777710 e-mail: brian_h_wilson@msn.com
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Advertisements in the Newsletter
I sometimes get asked by members to include items in the Newsletter which are not strictly to do with Club events and activities. Examples are departmental reunions and events such as the 'Jazz in the Hills' piece which appeared in the June Newsletter.
The Committee have discussed this matter and it was agreed that we should allow advertisments in the Newsletter for a six month trial period with a review at the January 2011 Committee meeting. If you would like to submit an item, the following guidelines must be observed:-
Only IBM Retiree Club members may submit material and it must be on their own behalf and not for friends or relatives.
IBM personnel number must be included.
There is a 50 word maximum on members' submisions.
The Editor will decide whether an advertisement is suitable for inclusion; if not, the member will be given the reason for rejection.
The Editor may have to reject an advertisement for space reasons - some months have quite a lot of Club business to include.
Whilst some advertisements are obviously suitable (e.g. holiday accommodation which members own, charitable fund-raising events), others may not be appropriate. We will adopt a 'play it by ear' policy and any comments you have will be welcomed.
In the past, I have used my own discretion but I felt it could be a worthwhile facility in the wider area and to do this the Committee felt we should have some ground rules. So don't be deterred if you have something you would like to advertise - drop me an email if in doubt.
Brian Wilson
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Sunday Luncheon on the Shakespeare Express - August 22nd (organiser Phil Dalton)
Sit back and relax and enjoy the sensory delights of main line express steam train travel just as it was in the 'good old days', whilst enjoying a 3-course freshly cooked Roast Sunday Luncheon.
Departing Stratford-upon-Avon at 12:32, the route is scheduled to be via Claverdon and Lapworth to Birmingham Snow Hill, during which the train will run at the maximum permitted speed of our steam engine. After a short break, our train will return via the 'Shakespeare Line' that runs through Henley-in-Arden. A line steeped in culture, history and natural beauty. Our train arrives back at Stratford-upon-Avon at 15:01.
Fare for members and first guests, including Luncheon, £30. (Drinks not included but a selection of beers, wine and spirits are available to purchase on board).
As Vintage Trains have been kind enough to take a provisional booking, could you please notify the event organizer as soon as possible if you wish to book for this event via phone or email to confirm place and follow this up asap with a cheque and booking form.
Contact details for Phil Dalton are Tanglewood, 22 Warwick Road, Wellesbourne, Warwick, CV35 9LX.
Phone: 0791-8131503. Email: phil_dalton@btinternet.com
Phil Dalton
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Shuttleworth Collection - Sunset Air Display & Meet the Pilots - Saturday 25th September (organiser Phil Dalton)
Our coach will depart IBM Warwick at 10:00 and head for the Golden Pheasant pub in Biggleswade, where a typical pub lunch will be enjoyed. After lunch, we head for the Shuttleworth collection at Old Warden Park, where the attractions include:-
The Swiss Garden: A Regency garden in the style of the picturesque with later Victorian additions. Laid out in the 1820s by Lord Ongley, the garden features many decorative and exotic features. The centre piece of the garden is the romantic and enchanting Swiss Cottage. Other features include the Grotto and Fernery, Indian Kiosk, Chapel, and Summerhouse.
Bird of Prey Centre and Owl Sanctuary: The UK's largest Bird of Prey centre with over 300 birds. Daily flying displays, all in a natural woodland setting. Get close up to nature and enjoy a walk on the wild side. Also walk though the Barn Owl Aviary. You can handle the birds!
Sunset Air Display - Meet the Pilots: With approximately 50 historic aircraft based at Old Warden, including the best collection of pre, during and post WW1 "stringbags", an evening display should provide the best climatic conditions for such planes to be displayed on the ground and in the air, as well as providing the opportunity at this unique air display to meet the pilots who actually fly them.
Flying is subject to operational and climatic conditions.
Coach return will be after the end of the flying display.
Cost will be in the range £27.50 - £34 for members and 1st guests. The final cost is dependent upon the number of people booking. The cost includes return coach travel, lunch and drinks, entry to Old Warden Park and all attractions therein.
Please send completed booking form and £10 per person deposit to Phil Dalton, Tanglewood, 22 Warwick Road, Wellesbourne, Warwick, CV35 9LX.
Phone: 0791-8131503. Email: phil_dalton@btinternet.com
Phil Dalton
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A Day Trip to the Historic City of Lincoln - Thursday 21 October 2010 (Organiser - Alan Bridgman)
We will leave IBM Warwick at 8:00am for the drive to the City of Lincoln when we expect to arrive at about 10:30am. The coach will be met at the Northgate Coach stop by one of the official Lincoln Guides. We will have a short break for tea/coffee and biscuits in the Cathedral Coffee Shop. Our Guide will then give us a walking tour of the Cathedral Quarter, which is a flat area of Lincoln. The tour should finish at about 12:30pm which will give us time to reach the Wig & Mitre Pub for lunch at 1:00pm. After lunch you will have time to explore Lincoln and its attractions on your own. We will leave Lincoln at 5:00pm to arrive back at IBM Warwick at about 7:30pm .
In the first century Lincoln was called Lindum Colonna. Since then it has been an important city in Norman, Medieval, Tudor and Georgian times. There are few cathedrals in England as awe-inspiring as Lincoln Cathedral (a prize for the first person who can find the Lincoln Imp gargoyle without any help from locals!). The Cathedral was recently featured in the Da Vinci Code film. Lincoln Castle was built in 1068AD for William the Conqueror and holds one of the four original copies of the Magna Carta. There are many other historic and modern buildings worth exploring. There are several fine shopping areas. And, at the bottom of its steep and cobbled streets, is the River Witham.
The cost of the trip will be a maximum of £30.00 for members and first guests. If we achieve the maximum subsidy the cost will be reduced to £25.00. The cost will include coach travel, lunch, walking tour and morning coffee and biscuits. The cost for second guests will be £34.00.
Numbers are limited so it is advised to book early. Please send your cheque for £10 per head and booking form to the organiser and please note the closing date for bookings is 15th August 2010.
I will provide a detailed information pack before the trip so that you can plan your day.
Alan Bridgman
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Rioja Trip 24-29 October 2010 (organiser Rick Paslawski)
John Hill at Wessex Continental has advised me that he will be running a trip to La Rioja on the 24-29 October, departing from Plymouth Docks at 1630, returning back at Plymouth at 0930. Plan is to vist Bodegas LAN, Ramon Bilbao, Tondonia, AGE, Ramirez de la Piscina, and Montecillo.
Cost will be £599 pp for the ferry crossings to/from Santander with cabin, breakfast and dinner included both ways, wine tasting on board on the outward journey, three nights hotel with breakfast, visits and tastings at the bodegas, plus two dinners and one lunch in Spain. John will arrange to pick up/drop off at Warwick if we can arrange a minimum party size of 10 people.
If you are interested then let me know, and also ask any of your friends and acquaintances if they would like to come. Those of you who have travelled with Wessex before know this is a fabulously good value trip, and there are considerable savings to be made by buying direct from the bodegas.
Email:- rick.paslawski@o2.co.uk
Rick Paslawski
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Skittles at Snitterfield - 11th November 2010 (organiser Dave Dagley)
Those of you who attended our skittles evening at the Snitterfield Social Club will be pleased to know that we are organising another evening to test your bowling skills - for those of you who missed it , here's another chance to take part in what promises to be an excellent evening.
Further information and a booking form will appear in the Newsletter nearer the time.
Dave Dagley
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Click on the links below for specific information. Links to booking forms are from the event announcement.
2010 Diary General Notes about Events Photographs from Past Events
IBM Midlands Retiree Club Constitution
Committee Contacts AGM Minutes
Newsletter Archives Newsletter Production
PC and Technology Group (Founded by Harry Green)
IBM Pensions Trust IBM Alumni Programme