June 2008 Newsletter

IBM Retirees Club (Midlands)

(www.retireesmidclub.org.uk)

June 2008 Newsletter

Editorial

There have been quite a lot of updates and changes to our events so I have decided to list all this year's remaining events with appropriate comments.

28/06/08 - Jazz Festival The tickets have been sent out to the 18 participants by David Williams. If you have not received your tickets for this event, please contact David immediately.

09/07/08 - Blenheim Palace For those going to Blenheim Palace, please see the final arrangements information from Carole Robertson later in this Newsletter.

18-21/07/08 - Chester and Liverpool Two members had to drop out from this event due to ill health. I don't know whether these two places are still available but it would be worth checking with Ken Hope if you would like to go.

31/07/08 - Summer Lunch This is a new event and our thanks to Jean for organisng it at short notice. See later in this Newsletter for further details and a booking form.

06/08/08 - Cannock Chase Walk and Pub Lunch Another new event and our thanks to Dick Smith, a non-committee member, for his offer to organise it. See note later in this Newsletter.

15-18/08/08 - Trip to Norfolk There are two spare places on the coach but I don't know whether this means that there are corresponding hotel rooms. Check with Alan Palmer for latest.

05-08/09/08 - Bradford and Leeds Alan Bridgman tells me that there has been a good response but there are still some places available if you haven't yet booked - click here for booking form and please note that there is a cut-off date of 23rd June for forms to be received by Alan. Details appeared in the May Newsletter.

21-26 September - Wine Tasting to Spain No further information. Contact Rick Paslawski

10-13/10/08 - Brussels and Brugges This is not a Retirees event but is organised by Mike Cashmore who many of us know as Chairman of the IBM Birmingham Club. Details appear later in this Newsletter. Brussels and Brugges are always worth a visit, particularly if you have never been, and you will find the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate extremely moving.

16-20/10/08 - Tennerfest Simon tells me that there is still room for a few more members for this event. Details appeared in the May Newsletter.

13/11/08 - Turkish Meal How about some Turkish Delight to brighten up those autumn evenings? Advance notice of an evening of authentic Turkish food and entertainment, organised by one of our new Committee members, Dave Compton. What we have termed an "ethnic meal" has become quite a tradition at this time of year and it does seem a good idea to take advantage of the wealth of different cuisines in this part of the world. Get the date in your diaries as places will be strictly limited to 20 people. Further details, price and booking form will be in the August Newsletter.

Christmas Lunch We have not finalised the details of this year's Christmas Lunch but expect it to be mid-December. The date will be announced as soon as known.

New Year in Guernsey - 30/12/08 to 02/01/09 We have enough people to make up a good party but as always I will be happy to book more - the more the merrier I suppose and certainly at New Year. I know its a little way off but I need to give the hotel a rough idea of how many rooms we will need and also note that you may get a better chance of the flight you want if you book early. Details appeared in the May Newsletter but please give me a ring if you want any clarification.

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Finally, your Committee will be having the annual "brain storm" in August to put together a programme of events for 2009. If you have any bright ideas, please let any member of the Committee know and if you fancy organising an event - several non-committee members have done so as you will have seen - your idea(s) will be particularly welcome. Also, if you know of something going on which may be of interest to members, please give me details and I will be happy to publicise it.

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Brian Wilson, Newsletter Editor. Telephone: 01926-777710 e-mail: brian_h_wilson@msn.com

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Blenheim Palace - Wednesday 9th July 2008 (organiser Carole Robertson)

We now have 49 in our party for this event. Those of us meeting at Johnson's coach depot on the A34 [just north of Henley in Arden] should be ready to move off by 09.00 - sorry so early but I have no choice but to purchase our tickets on the day. Those travelling by car should arrange to meet us at the Flag Staff Kiosk at 10.15 on the car park. If you are challenged at the gate for parking tickets when you approach the Palace say you are part of the IBM Retiree Party who have a tour booked - [parking is most certainly inclusive of our tickets].

I will issue everyone with their tickets and luncheon vouchers before we meet up with our two guides. The talk on the Ladies of Blenheim will take place in the Indian room where we will have coffee/tea and home made cake. [Sorry about the bacon baps this has been removed permanently from the menu just recently - [what a *******] I leave you to put in your own word!!.

After the talk we will break into two groups for the tour of the Palace with our guides. Following the tour you will have the opportunity to either have lunch first or tour the gardens. PLEASE NOTE THAT OUR LUNCHEON VOUCHERS ARE WORTH £12 EACH BUT NO CHANGE WILL BE GIVEN. You can add more if you so wish but please try to spend all the value of the voucher.

Look forward to seeing you all on 9th July

Carole Robertson

Telephone: 0121 704 9677 - Email: carole.robertson@talktalk.net

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Summer Lunch at Mallory Court Country House Hotel 31st July 2008 (organiser Jean Eysenck)

We have a new venue for our Summer Lunch at the Mallory Court Country House Hotel, located at Bishops Tachbrook near Leamington Spa.

Meet at 12:30 for lunch at 1:00. There will be a cash bar for drinks on arrival and wine will be provided free on the tables.

Starter: Chicken Liver Parfait, Plum Chutney, Toasted Brioche

Main Course: Roast Leg of Lighthorne Lamb, Apricots and Spinach, Minted vegetables

Dessert: Raspberry Brulee, Raspberry Sorbee

Tea and Coffee to follow

The cost is £24 for members and first guest. Please return completed booking form with cheque made payable to IBM Retirees Club Midlands to:-

Mrs. J. Eysenck, 2 Holly Lodge, Lowes Lane, Wellesbourne, Warks, CV35 9RE

Tel; 01789 841365

- Go to Booking Form

- Directions

- Other information

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Cannock Chase Walk and Pub Lunch, Wednesday 6th August 2008

At the last AGM I suggested the idea of mid- week social activities such as pub based walks and I am grateful to Dick and Liz Smith for arranging one on WEDNESDAY 6th AUGUST starting and finishing at THE HORNS INN, Slitting Mill near Rugeley..

The walk, of about 4 1/2 miles, is mainly on the undulating terrain of Cannock Chase. From the pub the route follows the road and vehicle track up onto the Chase. Most of the walk is on well defined paths but may be uneven so boots or stout shoes should be worn. There will be a short stop for refreshments (bring your own coffee etc)

The pub will be open from about 10.00 for toilets and to order lunch (starter and main course £5.95). The walk will start at 10.30 and finish around 13.00.

If you don't feel like the walk you could always come for lunch and a pint and a chat!!

To make arrangements with the pub Dick needs to know approximately how many people are likely to come. So if you plan to join the amblers please let me know by email kenhope@barford.org.uk or telephone 01926 624203. My mobile number ON THE DAY will be 07790 455227

DIRECTIONS to The Horns, Slitting Mill, WS15 2UW

From Lichfield take the A51 to Rugeley

At Globe Island (Rugeley) take 2nd exit, signed A51 Stone; move into left lane and at traffic lights turn left into Hagley Road ( speed bumps). Continue for about ¾ mile, turn left into Slitting Mill Road. The Horns Inn is at the end of the village on the left,.

If you would like any more information contact Dick (0121 308 1217 or lizanddicksmith@talktalk.net)

Ken Hope

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10-13/10/08 - Brussels and Bruges (organiser Mike Cashmore 0121-745-9693)

This trip takes us to Belgium for a three night stay at the 5***** Hilton Hotel, Brussels on a bed and breakfast basis with coach travel, ferry crossings and all trips included. The itinerary is as follows:-

Friday 10th. Depart IBM Warwick and arrive in Brussels late afternoon with the evening free to sample one of the excellent restaurants.
Saturday 11th. Morning free to 'fall in love' with Brussels. There is an afternoon trip to Ghent en route to Ypres for the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate. If not previously experienced, not to be missed.
Sunday 12th. Where else but Brugges and Sluis for a relaxing day out.
Monday 13th. After a not too early start, it's homeward bound (maybe visit Ostend en route) before loading up with wines, chocolates and other goodies at Cite Europe.

The cost for all this is £179 per person for Club member and guest. If you would like to go, please send a cheque made out to 'IBM Club Birmingham' for £30 deposit per person to:-

Mike Cashmore, 1 Arnold Road, Shirley, Solihull, West Midlands, B90 3JP.

If you do not have your own travel insurance, please add £10 per person.

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Mid-year Progress Report on the Clubs Reorganisation

Some meetings have taken place between IBM UK HR, Retirees' Clubs and IBM Employees Clubs and more are planned. Agreement has been reached on some things; others are still to be decided.

Agreements Reached

The Retirees' Club Midlands will continue to run in the way it has done since its formation. It will be run under a standard constitution being developed for all IBM Clubs, both employee and retiree, which will make little difference to our day-to-day operation, We are now included within the IBM National Club umbrella and will attend their meetings, starting in July; hopefully there should be no organisational surprises in the future. We will also be represented by Phil Dalton on the associated National Club Financial Subcommittee meeting.
All members of all Clubs will continue to have access to events run by any other Club, as at present. Discussions have taken place with Andy Smith, Chair of the IBM Club Warwick and an understanding has been reached about funding.
After all discussions have been finalised, members will have the right to change their affiliation to a different Club should they wish.

Ongoing Discussions

Associates. Work still has to be done to define how the membership rules should be changed to include pensioners who don't qualify to join as retirees at present and to define any subscriptions retirees may be required to pay in the future. These will include the 'direct contribution' pensioners who will be in the majority at some time in the future.
Revised Administration Procedures. These will be reviewed as any changes are developed, in order to prevent any increase in work for committee members.
Constitution. Work is going on in parallel to create a simple Constitution to cover all Clubs. Alan Bridgman is our representative on this.

Ken Hope Telephone:- 01926 624203 Email:- kenhope@barford.org.uk

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PC and Technology Group (Founded by Harry Green)

The PC and Technology Group have been concerned that some recognition should be made of the great contribution the late Harry Green made to this group. Whilst in no way minimising the contribution others have made I think most people would recognise that Harry was not only the founder but with his enthusiasm helped to make the group the success it is today.

So as a tribute, the group decided to incorporate Harry's name in the title as a permanent reminder of the debt the group owe him.

Brian Wilson

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Click on the links below for specific information. Links to booking forms are from the event announcement.