IBM Retirees Club (Midlands)  

                                  (www.retireesmidclub.org.uk)

 

April 2012 Newsletter 

Editorial 

Our Spring Lunch proved very popular (was it the promise of desserts from the Pudding Club selection?) and was rounded off nicely with a most entertaining talk from David Howe on the subject of  'Manners'.  If anyone is involved with a club/society which needs a speaker, I can recommend David who has quite a range of topics on offer.  Many thanks to Carole for arranging the venue.

We had another entertaining speaker at our AGM in the person of Chris Wynne, Warwick Location Manager, who told us about the latest on the IBM front such as what IBM is doing in the business world, together with some information on how the Warwick site itself is likely to develop.  We adjourned to the Warwick canteen for lunch which seemd to be quite a successful move as a number of members were seen chatting until quite well into the afternoon.

As an additional event to those already announced, Dave Compton is arranging a visit to the GDBA breeding centre on 12th September.  Send in your booking form as this is likely to be a very popular event.

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

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Events 

Click here to see the list of the events which are planned for the current year.  The following is the status of those which have been announced. 

  

Booking Conditions  Click here to read the terms and conditions.             

Photographs from Past Events  Click here to view a selection of photographs from past events.

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Chairman's Notes

First of all, my thanks to everyone who made the effort to attend the Club's AGM in March. We had a good attendance, although not a record one, and once Chris Wynne, the IBM Warwick Location Manager, had moved the gathering to a more spacious and salubrious room, the meeting got under way. At the end of the meeting the Luncheon vouchers were quickly spent in the IBM Warwick cafeteria. From the attendance figures it is obvious that moving the AGM back to our local IBM location is not the complete answer to the declining attendance trend. We will think again next year.

Ever since we distributed event suggestion forms last year, we have received regular input from many of you. Particularly in these economically straightened times you are giving us invaluable feedback - more local, cheaper and shorter events. The two most expensive items in many of our events are transport and accommodation. We cannot control transport costs and these seem to be increasing, but, if you are agreeable, we could reduce accommodation costs. Up to now we have tried to provide 3* or 4* hotels, because we know that these will satisfy almost everyone's requirements and make each trip enjoyable. But we can reduce the quality and cost of accommodation, if the cost of our trips is the main factor in preventing you from joining us. Please let us know? We shall be distributing our feedback and suggestion form again this year.

At our last Committee meeting, several people were wondering if everyone knew that we have a rule that we don't charge single room supplements to our members. We think that single room supplements are unfair and a considerable disincentive to our single members from joining a trip. If this is something that you were concerned about, please don't worry, you won't be penalised and the Club will absorb the supplement.

The programme of events really starts to get underway properly from now, so I wish you all an enjoyable season.

Alan Bridgman, Chairman, IBM Midlands Retirees Club

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Trip to the Weston Cider Museum and Hampton Court Castle Tuesday 12th June 2012 - (organiser: Dave Dagley)

Reminder - Full details in March Newsletter

Let me ensure that we all understand we will be visiting Hampton Court CASTLE in Herefordshire, NOT Hampton Court Palace Surrey!.

The trip is on with the following itinerary….

Pick up IBM Warwick at 08:15 hrs

Arrive 10:00hrs at Weston Cider Museum, Ledbury, Herefordshire

http://www.westons-cider.co.uk/Visitors-Centre/

Experience the unique history of the Westons family, learn how Henry Weston founded the business in 1880 and how this independent and family owned cider and perry maker has developed into the one of the country's finest producers of quality ciders and perries.

We will take lunch at the Westons Scrumpy House.

http://www.westons-cider.co.uk/doc_get.aspx?DocID=77

Depart Weston Cider Museum at 13:20hrs

Arrive 14:00hrs at Hampton Court Castle, Leominster, Herefordshire

http://www.hamptoncourt.org.uk/index.php

Hampton Court, Herefordshire is a castle on the meadows of the river Lugg. Founded by King Henry in the early 15th century the castle has been completely restored. The Gardens at Hampton Court are spectacular. The trip includes a guided tour.

Depart Hampton Court Castle at 16:30hrs to return back to IBM Warwick for approx 18:30hrs

Dependant on final numbers the cost will be between £28 - £35 for members and first guest, and £38 - £45 for second and subsequent guests.

Dave Dagley

- Go to Booking Form

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Day Trip to Llangollen - Wednesday 20th June 2012 (Organiser: Alan Bridgman)

Llangollen is a lovely small town, which I am sure that many of you know, set in the beautiful Dee Valley. On this trip we plan to take in two of its most impressive attractions. In the morning we shall travel on the Llangollen Steam railway as it steams its way through the Welsh countryside to Carrog. On our return to Lllangollen station we shall partake of lunch at the CornMill pub which overlooks the River Dee and is a converted 18th century watermill. In the afternoon we will take a trip on the Llangollen canal over the incredible Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct was built by Thomas Telford and celebrated its 200th birthday in 2005. It takes the canal 126 feet over the valley in a cast iron trough and is now a World Heritage site.

We will leave IBM Warwick at 8:00am. We have to reach Llangollen in time to catch the 11:00am steam train. The train returns to Llangollen at 12:30pm and there is a 5-minute walk to the CornMill where we are booked in for lunch. After lunch the coach will take us to the village of Froncycyllte (10 minute journey) which is on the far side of the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. Here we will board the boat to take us over the Aqueduct and along the Llangollen Canal back to Llangollen Wharf. We then pick up our coach and head back to IBM Warwick, where we should arrive at about 6:30pm.

The cost of the trip will be a maximum of £29 per member (depending on the number of people who book) and 1st guest; £33.50 for 2nd guests. This cost includes coach, return steam train ticket and boat trip over the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct back to Llangollen Wharf. Numbers are limited so it is advised to book early.

Alan Bridgman   Telephone: 01789-267134 Email: abri@waitrose.com

- Go to Booking Form

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Day Visit to Crich Tramway Village and Denby Pottery Visitor Centre - 27th June 2012 (organiser Simon Barratt)

To avoid the risk of cancellation of this two-centre visit, more bookings are needed, so if you’ve been putting off sending in your booking form, wait no longer. Complete the attached booking form and send it without delay to Simon Barratt, Laurel House, The Green, Tredington, Shipston on Stour, Warwickshire CV36 4NJ, with a deposit cheque for £10 per person made out to IBM Retirees Club (Midlands).

Full details appeared in the March 2012 Newsletter.

Simon Barratt

- Go to Booking Form

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GUIDE DOGS NATIONAL BREEDING CENTRE VISIT – Wednesday, 12th September – 2pm to 4pm

(Organiser - Dave Compton)

Some members may be wondering why we are organising another visit to the GDBA National Breeding Centre having visited it a few years ago. The reason is simple, the old buildings have been largely demolished and a brand new £14m centre has been purpose built next door. The old centre was designed and run by Derek Freeman back in the early 1960’s but with the expansion of the GDBA it was becoming woefully inadequate. The limited space sometimes led to cross infection and was extremely restricting in what could be done.

By comparison, the new centre is rather like Dr. Who’s tardis. Several specialist wings isolate the dogs, yet all are interconnected in such a way as staff and visitors can move around without compromising the health of the dogs. Designed into the building are viewing galleries where visitors can look down on the various sections without disruption to the normal working of the centre. Unfortunately, this means that direct contact between visitors and the dogs will be very limited. Nevertheless, it will be a very interesting visit.

Guide Dogs make no charge for this so the committee is suggesting a donation of £5 per person at the time of booking so that we can present the whole amount collected at the end of the visit. This is likely to be a very popular event and numbers may have to be limited, although it may be possible to arrange a second visit at a later date.

Dave Compton

- Go to Booking Form

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TRIP TO KENT - 24TH TO 28TH SEPTEMBER 2012 (organisers - Tony Mancell & Simon Barratt)

We are planning a trip to Kent in September 2012 for a 4 day sightseeing visit.

The details, so far, are below and we are now in a position to take bookings, we are asking for a deposit of £15.00 per person made payable to IBM Retirees Club (Midlands), returnable if there are insufficient numbers to make the trip viable or the costs alter greatly. Please complete the booking form and return to myself or Simon by 6th May.

The day at Dover Castle will include visiting the 'Wartime Tunnels Uncovered Exhibition', the 'Operation Dynamo: Rescue from Dunkirk' exhibition as well as The Underground Hospital, all of which complement the visits on the Arras Trip in April.

We will be based at the impressive 4-star Mercure Hotel Imperial situated in the historic south east coastal resort of Hythe, which is located approximately 27 miles from Leeds Castle, 11 miles from Dover castle and just 18 miles from Canterbury.

The hotel enjoys a fantastic panoramic seafront location with extensive gardens as well as an 18-hole golf course. All of the hotel's 100 bedrooms provide TV, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities, plus the Hythe Imperial features a superb spa natural leisure club with a stunning indoor pool, spa bath and steam room. Many of the rooms offer views of either the sea or golf course.

The current thoughts for the itinerary are as follows, although these may change depending on availability and numbers:

The costs are expected to be around £320 to £345 per person, depending on the excursion costs and the IBM Club's subsidy, which varies with the number of members booked on the trip.

Please email me (or Simon) with any queries.

Tony Mancell   email tony@mancell.com

Simon Barratt  email sjblaptop@yahoo.co.uk

- Go to Booking Form

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Budapest Christmas Markets - 30th November to 3rd December 2012 (Organiser - Alan Bridgman)

Come and enjoy an unforgettable four days in the Hungarian Capital - "the Pearl of the Danube" - as it puts on a wonderful seasonal show, the highlight of which is the traditional Christmas Market held in the shadow of the city's Advent Calendar building.

The "twin city" straddling the river takes on a special atmosphere at Christmas time, with Buda's Castle district - a medieval maze of winding streets - and Pest's bustling old town alive with festive celebration. The Christmas Market boasts more than 100 pavilions offering hand-crafted gifts, and the aromas of mulled wine, roasted chestnuts and Hungarian pastries hang in the air. There are daily performances of classical and folk music and dancing to add to the atmosphere.

Itinerary

Day 1. Outward travel from Luton Airport and coach transfer to the 4* Danubius Hotel Astoria. Choose from the city's many dining options in the evening.

Day 2. Guided city tour of Budapest. Experience its most striking monuments on the Buda bank, including the romantic Castle Hill, the former Royal Palace, fascinating museums and Matyas Church. The gothic Parliament Building buildings line the Danube's Pest side, while the buzzing metropolis of the old town is a hive of designer stores, elegant coffee houses and patisseries. Elsewhere, Pest's attractions include the dome of St Stephen's Basilica and the Szechenyi Thermal Baths, one of Europe's largest spas, a perfect way to warm up after a day amongst the markets and stores. Dine in Pest this evening, perhaps in one of the many restaurants in the Belvaros, before returning to your hotel.

Day 3. Continue your exploration of the delightful Hungarian capital, or join the optional excursion to the Baroque artist's town of Szentendre, beautifully set beside the Danube, with its maze of colourful houses. You will return to Budapest in the afternoon to spend a final evening in the city.

Day 4. Depending upon the time of the return flight, there may be an opportunity for some last-minute shopping before we have to catch the transfer coach back to the airport.

Accommodation

The 4* Danubius Hotel Astoria is situated in the city centre on the Pest side of the Danube on one of the main boulevards, offering easy access to the main sights and within walking distance of shopping areas, including the Christmas markets. Facilities include a restaurant serving national and international cuisine, the famous Cafe Mirror coffee house, and a gift shop.

Cost - £249.17 (per member and first guest) includes:-

Return flights to & from Budapest

One suitcase allowance per person

3 nights' B&B accommodation at the 4* Hotel Astoria

A guided city tour of Budapest

The services of a Tour Manager

All Government taxes and service charges

Note: There is a limited number of places on this trip, so please respond quickly.

Alan Bridgman  Email:- abri@waitrose.com

- Go to Booking Form

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Announcements and Advertisments

Reunion to mark the 20th Anniversary of Closure of all IBM Birmingham Locations

The IBM Birmingham Club can now confirm that the planned twenty year reunion will be taking place following the positive response to date.

The chosen venue is: The Garden House on the Hagley Road. B16 9NX at 17:00 on Friday, 18 May 2012. If you decide to come by car there is ample parking at the rear but be careful when coming through the narrow entrance which forms a one way system in and out (in being to the left).

We have reserved a private room for the event and hopefully, if the weather is good, the use of a patio area at the rear. Partners are welcome to accompany you to this event but please let us know.

Please register on arrival to claim a free drink. The buffet will be served from 18:30 onwards.

If you responded to our previous note by selecting option (A) I definitely plan to attend. Then you need to take no further action other than to turn up.  

If you did not respond previously or selected option (B) I will make every effort to attend. Then we would like you to be brave and make a decision as we need final numbers for the event catering. We are aware that there are several people in this category who are planning to attend but haven't actually confirmed their attendance. Can you confirm by sending a note to: Keith.Stainforth@btinternet.com , please.

For those planning to stay in Birmingham then we hope you find these hotel details helpful.

The Strathallan (opposite The Garden House)

http://www.menzieshotels.co.uk/hotels/birmingham-hotels/birmingham-hotel-strathallan

The Duck (which has a Premier Inn attached is next door to The Garden House)

http://www.beefeatergrill.co.uk/beefeater/restaurants/birmingham/the-duck.html

Looking forward to seeing as many of you as we can on the night as this will be the last reunion that we organise.

Regards,

The IBM Birmingham Club Committee  https://sites.google.com/site/ibmclubbirmingham/

Keith Stainforth

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Alec Cassells Memorial Concert  

As well as being a member of West Midlands Branch, Alec was a member of the Leamington Sinfonia. Now that the initial numbness over his death has abated his wife Rachel is organising a concert by the Sinfonia to remember the good times.

This will be held in St. Mark's Church Leamington on 7th July. The programme will be tuneful and easy listening, and there wil be ample time before and after the event to share memories and anecdotes. All will be welcome.

Fred Edgar  Fred.Edgar@hotmail.co.uk

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Sub-Groups of  IBM Club and Retirees Club

IBM Retirees PC and Technology Group (founded by Harry Green)

The IBM Retirees PC and Technology Group meets every alternate month for a lively discussion on PC and technology topics in the digital age. There are usually one or two specific presentations given by members or by outside speakers, which the members of the Group have requested. We try to provide a reasonable balance between PC "techie" topics, new technology, and topics of a more general nature such as digital television, Internet telephony and digital photography . So whether you are a newcomer to the PC or a more experienced user, we hope you will find something of interest. You are very welcome to join us.

Contacts:-   Roger Goodman  email:- ladevie@dsl.pipex.com           Alan Bridgman   email:-  abri@waitrose.com

- Go to meeting dates and other information

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IBM Midlands Golf Society

IBM Retirees and spouses/partners are eligible to play, the events being subsidised by IBM.  The fixture list for 2011 is attached, together with proposals for 2012.  

Please contact one of the undersigned with any queries.

Contacts:-     Graham Seal  email:- gaseal@sky.com           Michael Davies   email:- enosmd@ntlworld.com                

- Go to Fixture List and contacts

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

                

            IBM Midlands Retiree Club Constitution     Committee Contacts         Agm Minutes

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     IBM Pensions Trust (Rewards, IBM Contacts, IBM EPP and other useful information)    

- Return to 2012 Archive List

- Return to Current Newsletter