December 2010 Newsletter

IBM Retirees Club (Midlands)

(www.retireesmidclub.org.uk)

December 2010 Newsletter

Editorial

Two events took place in November. Firstly, we had the skittles evening at Snitterfield which was enjoyed by all who attended - particularly by Kath Mancell who cleared the skittles with the last ball of the evening; a report appears later in this newsletter; thanks to Dave Dagley for an excellent evening's entertainment and perhaps he might do it again some time?

The second event was a visit to the Birmingham Tattoo - tattoos are always very impressive affairs and this one was no exception. Thanks to Peter Barnes for his work in organising a successful event.

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Time was when we announced the following year's events at the Christmas Lunch but in recent years we have had to announce events well in advance. This year is no exception and you will see references to 2011 events in this Newsletter. We plan to distribute reference cards as usual at the Christmas Lunch and I will upload the 2011 Diary to our web site immediately afterwards - the Committee hope you will find something of interest on the list.

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Finally, I would like to wish all members, family and friends a Very Happy Christmas and all the best for 2011. It seems like only yesterday when we toasted the arrival of a new millenium!

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

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Event Report

Skittles

A good crowd of 26 people enjoyed a thrill packed and noisy evening of skittles at Snitterfield bowling club. The evening kicked off at 7.30pm with a free glass of warm mulled wine, or whatever tickled ones palate. Generally the skill level was modest, Brian Wilson trying very hard to demonstrate how to win the booby prize (unfortunately he failed); but one star did rise above the rest when Kath Mancell showed Carole Robertson how it should be done by getting the only strike of the night to win the ladies prize! The hot buffet served at the end of the bowling session completed the evening and sent everyone on their way, hopefully with a smile on their face.

Dave Dagley

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Chairman's Notes

It is wonderful to have to report that we have even more people booked for the Christmas lunch than last year. My thanks to Phil Dalton who took over at short notice from Alan Palmer and who has done a super job. I look forward to talking to as many of you as possible before, during and after the meal. And thanks also to Simon Barratt who produces the coloured Name and Menu place cards, for those of us who can't remember what we ordered!

The plans for next year's events are well advanced and the summary cards produced by Phil will be available to everyone at the Christmas lunch as usual.

The Chairmen of all the IBM Retiree Clubs are still working to get a meeting with the new UK HR Director, Jean Marsh, in early 2011. More news of that anon.

May I wish you all and your families a very Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year.

Alan Bridgman, (Acting) Chairman

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Thai Banquet - Wednesday January 26th 19:30

Organizer: Phil Dalton (email: phil_dalton@btinternet.com or Tel: 0791-8131503)

It is with great pleasure that your club announces a return to the Thai Boathouse, Swan's Nest Lane, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 7LS. As per our previous visit, a banquet will be held comprising the following menu:-

Mixed Starters
Tom Yam Gai (Traditional Thai hot and spicy soup with chicken)

Massaman Leuang Kaa (Lamb in a yellow curry with potatoes, onions and cashew nuts)
Neua Pad Ped (Stir fried beef with fresh chilli and Thai herbs)
Ped Pad Prick (Duck stir fried with chilli and celery)
Pad Pak (Stir fried mixed vegetables)
Khao Pad (Thai fried rice)

A Vegetarian banquet is available which comprises the following:-

Mixed Starters
Kaeng Kiew Wan Yod Mapraw (Crispy palm hearts, Thai aubergines and fresh herbs with fresh vegetables in a green curry sauce)
Hed Pad Med Mamuang Himmaphan (Stir fried mushrooms with cashew nuts and onions in a sweet and sour sauce)
Tao Hu Kratium Prik Tai (Stir fried bean curd with garlic and ground black pepper corns, onions and mixed peppers)
Pad Thai Jay (Rice noodles fried with bean sprouts, eggs and tamarind sauce)
Khao Suay (Steamed Thai jasmine rice)

Of course, there will be an excellent red and an excellent white wine available.

Directions: Swan's Nest Lane can only be accessed heading North and is to the left immediately after passing the Swans Nest Hotel on your left and before Clopton Bridge over the River Avon. For those of you coming from the North, you will need to head South over Clopton Bridge and come back on yourself at the roundabout by the Shell Filling Station, then turn left immediately after the Swans Nest Hotel on your left.

Cost: Members, 1st Guests = £21. Second guests = £31

Please send completed booking form and cheque to Phil Dalton, Tanglewood, 22 Warwick Road, Wellesbourne, Warwick, CV35 9LX

- Go to Booking Form

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Marstons Brewery Tour and Lunch - Thursday February 17th 2011

Organizer: Phil Dalton (email: phil_dalton@btinternet.com or Tel: 0791-8131503)

The event will start with a 2 course lunch from the fixed price lunch menu at The Dial, 174/175 Station Street, Burton-on-Trent, DE14 1BN. Their current menu can be accessed on the web (www.thedial.uk.com), however the menu will be changed in the New Year and should be available on the web by the second week in January. The restaurant has advised that there is no need to pre-order, but in the interests of time will attendees please ensure that they know want they want to order before arrival.

After lunch, we will walk to the Marstons Brewery Visitor Centre for a 14:00 start of our tour of the brewery. This will be followed by, what some may call the highlight of the event, a sampling of the Marstons products.

Procedure: In order to encourage the use of public transport to and from this event, a cash rebate of £5 will be given at the restaurant for anyone who produces a valid on the day public transport ticket to Burton-on-Trent. For those travelling by train, it is recommended that you take no later than the 11:19 train from Birmingham New Street to Burton-on-Trent arriving at 11:50. Return trains should be no earlier than 16:50. For those wishing to drive, they should be at the restaurant by 12:00.

This event will have a reasonable amount of walking in Burton-on-Trent and climbing stairs etc. within the brewery, so comfortable shoes should be worn.

Cost: Members, 1st Guests = £18.50. Second Guests = £27

Please send completed booking form and cheque to Phil Dalton, Tanglewood, 22 Warwick Road, Wellesbourne, Warwick, CV35 9LX by Friday February 4th.

- Go to Booking Form

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Trip to Arras 28 April 2011 - 2 May 2011 (organiser Brian Wilson)

Our planned trip to Arras has run into a problem due to Prince William deciding to get married on 29th April and our members not wishing to miss the occasion. Can't say I blame them as something as spectacular as a Royal Wedding is not something that happens every day.

I have spoken to the coach company and one other but the best either can offer is either a date in May or sometime in March. After consulting with the members who had already booked, the concensus of opinion was to go for 2012 with perhaps a date in May as I am told that Arras gets quite busy in April.

Telephone: 01926 777710 Email:- brian_h_wilson@msn.com

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A Day Trip to Cambridge - 26th May 2011 (organiser - Alan Bridgman)

I am planning to take a group to the beautiful city of Cambridge on Thursday 26th May 2011. May is a lovely time of year to visit Cambridge - all the flowers are out on the banks of the River Cam (the "Backs") and the weather should be warm enough to take a punt out. Pembroke (my old College) will host us for lunch in the Old Library - the old Library is the oldest part of Pembroke and was originally the College Chapel and built in 1347. Pembroke has a good reputation for the quality of its catering.

You will also have the choice of a number of (optional) activities during the day - a Blue Badge guided tour of the city and the University Colleges; a chauffeured, or un-chauffeured punt ride on the River Cam along the Backs; and a treasure hunt for those of you who already know Cambridge well. If you have other suggestions, please let me know and I will see what I can do.

We shall be leaving IBM Warwick at about 8:00am by coach. If you wish to make your own way to Cambridge, let me know? Please put the date in your diary - I will be putting out more detail and a booking form in Jan/Feb.

Alan Bridgman

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Trip to Yorkshire 8 -12 June 2011 (organiser Dave Compton)

As mentioned in last month’s newsletter, there is a five day (four night) trip to Yorkshire planned for Wednesday 8th to Sunday 12th June 2011. Some people have, as requested, indicated their interest but more are needed before this trip becomes viable.

For full details of the included visits, please see the November newsletter .

The inclusive cost is now expected to be around £300 per member and there may be space for 2nd guests at the full price of approximately £370. If you are interested, please send an e-mail to Dave Compton (dave@compton-family.eu) as soon as possible, indicating if you might like to invite second guests if there is space. A booking form will accompany the formal announcement of this trip in the January newsletter at which time a deposit of £50 per person will also be required.

Dave Compton

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Members' Adverts

2011 Angling Competition

The 2011 IBM Club National Sea Angling Completion will be held in the sea-side town of Aberystwyth in Wales on June 16 & 17. The fun starts on Wednesday evening (16th) when we will gather in Aberystwyth to prepare for the competition. The following two days we will fish the abundant seas of the Welsh coast returning each evening for food an refreshment recounting the many tales of the day. Then we set off home on Saturday June 18th. Any fish that you do not want to take home are returned to the sea.

Accommodation, dinner on the 16th, a buffet on the 17th, boats and bait will all be included and members of the IBM Club will benefit from a subsidy so you will get all this for around £130 (depending on numbers) If you are new to sea angling, don't worry, there are plenty of experienced anglers who will be happy to advise. All comers welcome!! If you want to come along, or have any questions then please contact me by phone or e-mail at any time.

I look forward to seeing you in Wales

Thanks

Kevin McGeough

Service Delivery Executive

Systems Availability Leader (UK), HSBC Global Integrated Account

Maintenance and Technical Support Services (M&TSS)

IBM Global Technology Services

Email mcgeouk@uk.ibm.com Telephone:- 07802 206010

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

2011 Diary Booking Conditions for Events Photographs from Past Events

IBM Midlands Retiree Club Constitution Committee Contacts AGM Minutes