RETIREES CLUB
(www.retireesmidclub.org.uk)
Links to Booking Forms by individual events
Click here to see 2003-programme
Click here for Committee Contact List
Click here for Archived Newsletters
AUGUST 2003 NEWSLETTER
**************************************************************************************************
Editorial
We had another fine day on July 13th for our lunch on the Shakespeare Express. Our steam engine put up a good show and the Restaurant Car impressed with its comfort . The roast beef Sunday lunch was very good and served efficiently by the Restaurant Car staff - all one of him! Only downside was that the driver was so busy trying to impress us with the performance of his steam engine over these new fangled diesel things that he forgot that food and drink need a steady ride. That said, most people agreed that it was a good way to spend a Sunday.
Looks like a full coach for the trip to Normandy but should be some room for duty free. Details of final arrangements later in this Newsletter.
Note that there has been a date change for the trip to Calke Abbey; it is now Tuesday 14th October. Please amend your diaries accordingly. Further details and booking form later in the Newsletter.
The Committee's are now planning events for 2004, so if you have any suggestions please contact any Committee member as soon as possible.
--------------------------------------------
Please contact Gordon Jones at gordon_jones@lineone.net or telephone 01455-556192, for all membership changes such as address, telephone number, e-mail address.
-------------------------------------------
Brian Wilson, Editor. Telephone: 01926-777710 e-mail: brian_h_wilson@msn.com
**************************************************************************
Itinerary for Euro Trip - Highlights of Normandy Sept 8th/12th 2003 (John Smith 01384-860882)
Monday 8th September
Because we are travelling on an earlier ferry, the coach will leave IBM Warwick at 6:45am. Please meet in the top car park. I will meet the coach earlier and direct the driver to IBM Warwick. We will stop at a service station on the way to Portsmouth. Tea, coffee and cold drinks will be available on the coach on a self service basis costing approx. 60p. Ferry leaves Portsmouth at 12:00, journey time 5h-5h:30mins.
The coach will then take us to the Hotel Ibis in the centre of Caen, arriving in time to freshen up for dinner.
Tuesday 9th September
Tour of the D-Day Nomandy beaches and Museum, then continue to the city of Bayeux for a visit to the tapestry (entrance fees - not included). Return to Caen late afternoon.
Wednesday 10th September
Visit to the famous Mont -St- Michel
Thursday 11th September
Travel to the picturesque harbour of Honfleur followed by a tour of the Cote d'Opal.
Friday 12th September
Early breakfast to leave the Hotel at 7:30, travel to Cherbourgh to catch the Hi-Speed ferry, journey time 2:00h. Return to Warwick late afternoon.
Menu
Monday Vegetable Soup *** Poultry Escalope with apples*** Tarte Limone
Tuesday Onion Pie *** Hake with Bercy Sauce *** Apple Crumble
Wednesday Terrine of Fish *** Roast Pork with juice *** Coffee creme
Thursday Tuna Pie *** Beef in red Wine *** Bavarian creme with fruit
All the times and days are obviously provisional but with your help I am sure we can have a wonderful time. Thanks for all your patience - see you on the 8th, John.
**************************************************************************
Calke Abbey, Tuesday 14th October 2003 (Gordon Jones 01455-556192)
We will leave Warwick by coach to arrive at Staunton Harold in time for morning coffee/tea (included). There will be time to look round the garden centre (note that this is not Wyvale) and also the Craft Centre (this is also a different one and has one or two unusual vendors). The National Trust church can only be viewed from the outside as it is not open on weekdays at this time.
The coach will be available to take everybody to Calke for lunch (not included in the cost). However, anyone wishing to walk across to Calke can do so via field path, woodland, roadside and drive, the distance being about 2.5 miles.
The house, former home of the Harpur-Crewe family, opens at 13:00 and you are free to view at your leisure; guided tours are available but these are morning only and in any case very expensive (£75). Allow time to view the gardens and park which should not be missed.
Before leaving for the return to Warwick, there will be an included afternoon tea with scones.
Detailed timings for this event will be in the September Newsletter.
*************************************************************************
News Items from Members
David Howe (from Brian Wilson - news items in local newspapers)
Members may be interested to know that the historian David Howe (he spoke to us after lunch at the Glebe Hotel last year and the year before) has written a book entitled "Willingly to School: The Story of 900 Years of Education in Warwickshire"; the book also marks the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Local Education Authorities. David is well qualified to write about this subject, having spent most of his life in the County's schools, first as a pupil, then as teacher, County English advisor and Chief Inspector. The book is priced at £15.95 and obtainable from the County Record Office in Warwick, libraries and museums and can also be ordered from bookshops.
-------------------------------------------
IBM Employee Purchase Program (from Chistopher Buckingham)
Some retirees may not be aware that they are still entitled to make purchases from IBM through the 'Employee Purchase' scheme. Whilst the management of the scheme has been 'outsourced', as regards order management, to the Insight organisation, the opportunity to purchase equipment remains. The web site remains as before:
www.pc.ibm.com/uk/ibmepp/ (with a password of 'savenow')
The telephone numbers of the Insight organisation are given.
Employees and retirees can purchase any equipment or parts supplied by IBM. Provided that one knows the part number/description (obtainable from IBM if necessary), Insight will quote a price - from prices that have been quoted by Insight, a substantial discount on standard prices is given. This makes IBM parts worth looking at when considering an upgrade.
-------------------------------------------
Can You Help? (from Barry Wiggins)
The local group of a national charity (REMAP) needs your help. The charity provides technical equipment for people with disabilities (often children). This is achieved by a group of engineers or modelling enthusiasts working with health professionals to identify problems and provide one-off solutions .
The group which meets monthly in Leamington needs a volunteer to publicise the work of the group to the local media and specialist press. We recently received two national awards for members work, so we should be using this to raise awareness.
If you feel you could help or know someone who might, please contact either Barry Wiggins (01926-854580) or Brian Mayne (01608-661420) or email Barry@southbank.freeserve.co.uk
Of course we always welcome people with metal or wood working skills with some spare time to give for this rewarding work
-------------------------------------------