December 2007 Newsletter

IBM Retirees Club (Midlands)

(www.retireesmidclub.org.uk)

December 2007 Newsletter

Editorial

I understand that Rick's wine trip went off very well. Anyone want to do another, perhaps to a different location? Rick is no doubt open to suggestions.

Phil Dalton's trip to the Three Choirs vineyard at Newent on December 7th was very successful and enjoyed by the 18 members and guests, some who were seen loading wine into their cars! It is perhaps worth mentioning that you can enjoy a glass of English wine and perhaps a meal in their restaurant at any time; it certainly seemed quite popular at the time of our visit. Thanks to Phil for organising this, particularly at short notice.

As promised in the November Newsletter, you will find more information and a booking form for our first event of 2008, the IBM version of the Antiques Road Show on January 15th. More entertainment, this time on February 17th, when we will have lunch at Ryton Organic farm followed by a talk about the Washingtons (yes the US president's family) of Sulgrave Manor in Northamptonshire - see later in this Newsletter for further details and a booking form.

You will see the diary link at the end of the Newsletter has been updated to 2008. Please have a look and note dates of interest in your diary - if you have any queries please contact the event organiser who will be pleased to assist. We have re-introduced the fold-up card this year, available at the Christmas Lunch, and we would be interested to know how useful it is and whether you missed it.

Welcome to Alan Bridgman who has recently joined the Committee and we hope he will find our deliberations both interesting and enjoyable. I should also mention the contribution of those members who, whilst not wishing to join the Committee, have helped to organise several of our events - thank you to them

Finally, on behalf of the Committee, may I wish all members and their families a happy Christmas and a prosperous and peaceful New Year.

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

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HR Proposal to change the structure of the IBM Clubs and the IBM Retirees' Clubs

In the October newsletter I told you of the proposal by HR to merge all Retirees Clubs with their local IBM Clubs. I am pleased to say that the meeting with Jonathan Ferrar, HR Director, has now taken place and that the merger proposal has been dropped. There will be some small changes in the relationship between the two local clubs and there are to be further national meetings, mostly about some anomalies in membership now and in the future. We will do our best to ensure that these only have a beneficial effect on our present and future members. I will keep you informed.

Ken Hope

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Proposed Trip to Liverpool

IBM Liverpool City of Culture weekend. In September I asked for names of people interested in the weekend being proposed by IBM Liverpool Club in June 2008. Sadly Liverpool Club did not find enough interested people to make it viable so it will not take place. However please have a look at our 2008 Programme where you will find there will be a visit to Liverpool in July to see the Tall Ships assemble in Liverpool and watch them set out in full sail to start the races. On the same trip we will also visit Chester and see other things of interest in the area.

Ken Hope

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IBM Antiques Roadshow - Tuesday 15th January 2008 (organiser - Carole Robertson)

Flog It, Bargain Hunt, Cash in the Attic and now the IBM Retirees Antiques Roadshow..... This is an opportunity to have one of your treasured artefacts handled and valued by a leading expert and auctioneer.

Mark Hannam of Bonhams Auction House will lead off this event with an informative and humorous talk about the history of Bonhams before commenting on individual antiques [ONLY ONE PER COUPLE PLEASE]. He is a sound valuer and you should have an entertaining lunchtime with him. He does a lot of talks and public valuations and is popular on "the circuit". He is a general valuer with a wide experience, although his personal specialties are vintage wireless sets, mechanical music such as musical boxes and phonographs, railway memorabilia and collectors' items in general.

The venue is the Royal British Legion, 1611 Warwick Road, Knowle (just below the Wilson Arms) at 12 noon for 12.30. The main car park is at the rear of the club. Included is a buffet luncheon with tea and coffee. Any alcoholic beverages to be purchased from the bar by yourselves. All this for the princely sum of £8 per head for Club Members and first guest. Second guests £12 per head

Booking forms should be sent with cheques to Carole Robertson, 27, Austcliff Drive, Solihull B91 3XT with a cut off date of Thursday 10th January.

Normal booking rules apply

Member Richard Williams has kindly organised this event with Carole Robertson as Committee link.

- Go to Booking Form

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Spring Lunch with Speaker - Sunday 17th February 2008 (organiser Brian Wilson)

For our 2008 Spring Lunch ,we are returning to Ryton Organic Gardens which has proved a popular venue. This time, our speaker will be Martin Sirot-Smith, former Director of Sulgrave Manor in Northamptonshire, who will enlighten us on Sulgrave Manor and its connection with the Washington family (yes, the US president of that name was one of the family). Martin is an entertaining and informative speaker and an expert in this field.

Welcome drinks will be served from 12:00 and we will sit down for lunch at 12:30. Further drinks may be purchased from the bar to accompany our three-course meal, followed by tea or coffee and then the speaker. Don't forget that you can also look round Ryton itself so leave enough time, either before or after, to do this.

This cost for this event will be £17 for members and first guest - we may be able to accomodate second guests at £25 - please check with organiser. Indicate your menu choice on the booking form and return with your cheque payable to IBM Retirees Club Midlands to the organiser by 2nd February 2008 .

Contact the organiser with any queries.

- Go to Booking Form

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Newsletter Links

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