IBM Retirees Club (Midlands)
(www.retireesmidclub.org.uk)
February 2011 Newsletter
Editorial
19 members and guests braved a rather chilly evening to attend the Thai Banquet in Stratford. However, we soon warmed up with the food on offer and a good evening was had by all. Thanks to Phil for organising this one.
You will see that we have had to cancel the planned Brewery trip due to not enough bookings. Perhaps we can run it another time as brewery visits are usually quite popular.
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Events Status
With quite a number of events recently announced I have included a summary of their status.
17th February Marstons Brewery Tour and Lunch. Cancelled.
9th March Spring Lunch with Speaker - See announcement and booking form in this Newsletter.
28th March Annual General Meeting. Please email Carole Robertson if you plan to attend.
21st April Trip to Highgrove. See announcement and booking form in this Newsletter.
9-12 May Forest of Bowland. Fully booked - further requests will be waitlisted.
26th May Day trip to Cambridge. Places available.
8-12 June Trip to Yorkshire. Places available.
10th August Summer Lunch at Henley Golf Club.
19-26 September Trip to Alsace. Still time to book but don't delay too long.
5th October Windsor - quite a number of provisional bookings already made. Further details and a booking form will be in the April Newsletter.
12th October Visit to Olympic site - details later.
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I have created a new link at the end of this Newsletter - IBM Club Golfing Section. This has been prompted by Mike Davies asking me to publicise the list of matches for 2011 and so Mike and I have agreed that this section will act as a reference point for happenings on the golfing front in a similar way to the way we use the PC and Technology Group link; with this in mind I have put the introductory words for each group in the body of the Newsletter with any more specific information (meetings, etc.) as a clickable link. If any other groups would like their activities promoted in a similar way please email me and I will be pleased to consider any requests.
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Brian Wilson, Newsletter Editor. Telephone: 01926-777710 e-mail: brian_h_wilson@msn.com
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Event Report
Thai Banquet - January 26th
19 members and guests enjoyed a return visit to the Thai Boathouse in Stratford upon Avon. The banquet chosen was the 'Hot and Spicy' and so it was to prove. There were a few hot bombs in the dishes requiring extra cooling from the wine (2008 Santa Rita Carmenere and 2009 Villa Maria Gewurtztraminer) on offer and a couple of burnt fingers from the very hot serving dishes. All courses were excellent being served for groups of four people. This serving methodology even extended to Paula King, who was the only one on the vegetarian banquet option, yet there seemed to be enough for four people placed in front of her!
All in all a most enjoyable evening with numerous requests to repeat the event, so watch this space.
Phil Dalton
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Chairman's Notes
We do our best on the Committee to put together a programme of events that will be enjoyed by the largest number of our members. And we are usually surprised by the actual take-up of events – events that we expected to be overwhelmed by bookings are under-booked; others that we expected would be difficult to fill are quickly oversubscribed. We have two examples of the former category at the moment. Dave Compton’s Trip to Yorkshire in June and my Day Trip to Cambridge in May. Both of us had many expressions of interest, but so far these haven’t been turned into firm bookings. We shall continue to discuss this tricky topic at future meetings. Any suggestions as to how we can improve our planning will, of course, be welcome.
Over recent weeks I seem to have been bombarded by IBMers sending me links to articles, photos and videos celebrating IBM’s centenary! It is clear that many, many people recognise what a remarkable company we all worked for. Some people have asked if the Midlands Retirees Club can put on an event to commemorate such a special “birthday”! Please let me know if you would like to participate in such a get-together – no promises, but if there is enough interest we will do our best.
Alan Bridgman, (Acting) Chairman, Midlands Retirees Group
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Spring Lunch with Speaker - Wednesday 9th March 2011 (organiser Michael Fabianski)
The Spring Lunch this year will be held in the Royal Room at the Warwickshire Golf Club in Leek Wootton. The Royal Room overlooks the golf course from the best vantage point and is located in the Conference and Banqueting Centre near the professional’s shop; this is located at the end of a long drive which passes in front of what some of you may remember as the Leek Wootton Squash Club. Our speaker is Graham Sutherland, town crier and beadle of Warwick, who will give an illustrated talk on Inn Signs.
The cost for three course lunch including welcome drink together with our speaker will be £18.50 per head for members and first guest and £30.50 for second guests. Please note that the welcome drink will be wine or fruit juice but if anybody would prefer beer I will arrange this. Timing is 12:15 for 13:00.
So get your booking forms to me with your menu choices.
Michael Fabianski
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ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING MONDAY 28th MARCH 2011
Our AGM is booked for Monday 28th March at the Royal British Legion Club, Knowle - 1611, Warwick Road, Knowle, Solihull, West Midlands B93 9LF [Tel: 01564 773253]. Coffee/tea will be served from 10:30 in time for an 11.00 start. The attached agenda shows that we have two IBM speakers this year, thanks to the efforts of our Chairman, Alan Bridgman. Those attending will be given every opportunity to question our speakers, so we look forward to a good turnout. REMEMBER WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT THE RETIREES CLUB WILL CEASE TO EXIST. New committee members are ALWAYS welcome as are your suggestions for events.
Please send me your email to confirm attendance, which is also important for catering numbers, carole.robertson@talktalk.net , or phone 0121 704 9677, before Monday 21st March. Thank you.
Carole Robertson, Secretary, IBM Retiree Club Midlands
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HIGHGROVE GARDEN, TETBURY - Thursday 21st April 2011. Organiser Carole Robertson
As promised we are returning to Highgrove for yet another tour of this beautiful garden. Cost £22.50 for members and first guest and £29 for second guests [this includes entrance fee plus transport from and to Warwick]. Our tour is timed for 1.20 so with this in mind I have booked the coach to leave the top car park at IBM Warwick at 9.30. This gives us time to stop off at Tetbury for refreshments before travelling onto Highgrove. There are any number of options for refreshment in Tetbury, so the choice is yours.
The tour will be led by a Garden Guide and takes approximately two hours, covering two miles of garden. Please be aware that some paths are unmade so suggest stout shoes and suitable clothing as tours continue during wet weather.
After the tour refreshments are available in the Round House and the opportunity to visit Highgrove Shop. The plan will be to leave Highgrove at 4.30 - getting us back to Warwick at 6.30ish.
The maximum per group is 26 and I already have members who were on the waitlist from 2010 booked, SO PLEASE BOOK EARLY BY SENDING YOUR BOOKING FORM TO ME WITH YOUR CHEQUE.
Carole Robertson
Email:- carole.robertson@talktalk.net or telephone 0121 704 9677
27 Austcliff Drive, Solihull, West Midlands B91 3XT
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A Day Trip to Cambridge - Thursday 26th May 2011 (organiser - Alan Bridgman)
We will leave IBM Warwick at 8:00am 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 walking tour of the city and the University Colleges; a City Sightseeing Bus Tour of the city; a chauffeured, or self-powered punt ride on the River Cam along the Backs; and a treasure hunt for those of you who already know Cambridge well.
If you wish to travel independently to Cambridge, please let me know and I will adjust the cost accordingly and let you know where and when you can meet up with us.
The cost of the trip will range from £38 to £43 for Member / 1st Guest (depending on numbers); £54 for second guests. The cost includes coach travel, lunch at Pembroke; and an activity of your choice.
We will leave Cambridge at about 5:30pm or 6:00pm to arrive back in Warwick no later than 8:00pm.
Alan Bridgman - Organiser
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Trip to Yorkshire 8 -12 June 2011 (organiser - Dave Compton)
Here is some good news about this trip.
1. We have been able to get the price down to £260 for members and first guest.
2. We can also offer it to second guests at the lower price of £330.
3. Closing date has been extended.
The price includes coach from Warwick; half board hotel in Wetherby; and visits to Harewood House and Gardens; guided tour of the Theakston Brewery in Masham; the Himalayan Gardens; 2 hour guided walking tour of York (followed by free time with an optional cruise on the River Ouse); Castle Howard; Yorkshire Lavender Farm; and RHS Harlow Carr Gardens.
Further information including a link to a brochure can be found in the January Newsletter.
Already excellent value at the old price, this now represents even better value.
Those who have already booked should have already received confirmation that their deposits have been received.
Dave Compton Email:- dave@compton-family.eu
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Alsace - 19-25 September 2011 (organisers Simon Barratt/Tony Mancell)
We are inviting applications for a return visit to Alsace.
The cost will be in the region of £475 per person for Members and First Guests (£580 for Second and subsequent guests), and will be based on:
Monday 19 September -- IBM Warwick to Dover/Calais, then on to our hotel in Reims for dinner and overnight stop.
Tuesday, 20 September -- Reims to Mulhouse, with a lunch stop en route, possibly in Nancy (130 miles from Reims). Accommodation is booked on a Half-Board (DB&B) basis. Dinner in our hotel in Mulhouse.
Wednesday 21 September -- Full day in Strasbourg, to include a canal cruise. Dinner in our hotel in Mulhouse.
Thursday, 22 September -- Excursion to Riquewihr for lunch, then to Hunawihr stork farm, http://www.cigogne-loutre.com/ , before returning to our hotel for dinner.
Friday 23 September -- Visit to the French railway Museum in Mulhouse (2 hours), then to Ribeauvillé for lunch, before returning to our hotel for dinner. We may not have the use of the coach on this day - if not we will spend the day in Mulhouse; you can of course take the opportunity to do your own thing.
Saturday, 24 September -- Travel to Reims, with a visit to a Champagne house for a tour, with dinner in our hotel.
Sunday, 25 September -- Reims to IBM Warwick.
To reserve your place on this tour, please send a cheque for £50 for each Member, by 27 May 2011, to Tony Mancell, 73 Mill Street, Harbury, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire CV33 9HS, email tony@mancell.com, telephone 01926 613313.
The balance will be due by 8th August 2011.
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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.
2011 Diary Booking Conditions for Events Photographs from Past Events
IBM Midlands Retiree Club Constitution Committee Contacts AGM Minutes
Newsletter Archives Newsletter Production
IBM Club Warwick IBM Pensions Trust IBM Alumni Programme
IBM Rewards Programme IBM Employee Purchase Programme
Parking at Bedfont Lakes and Harrow
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