IBM Retirees Club (Midlands)
(www.retireesmidclub.org.uk)
January 2007 Newsletter
Editorial
First of all, a Very Happy New Year to all members and their families.
The Christmas Lunch was a great success with almost a record attendance. Tony Mancell told me that he and Gordon Jones had not had a single adverse comment so all credit to them and the staff at Morton Hall for what was a most enjoyable event. Our thanks to Tony and Gordon.
Talking of Morton Hall, don't forget that our Spring Lunch is being held there on February 4th and there may be a few places left for what should be a most entertaining event. Details appeared in the December 2006 Newsletter - use the following links if you would like to go:-
- Go to Booking Form - Go to Menu
and if you are not sure how to get there:- - Go to Map
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I have updated the Diary of Events for 2007 - please use the link for latest information. This will give you dates to put in your diaries but I have also put a bit more detail in a separate section later in this Newsletter.
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Brian Wilson, Newsletter Editor. Telephone: 01926-777710 e-mail: brian_h_wilson@msn.com
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IBM Retirees PC & Technology Club
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. The next meeting is on January 26th 2007 in the Warwick Room at IBM Warwick.
Roger Goodman, Chairman PC & Technology Group ladevie@dsl.pipex.com
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Annual General Meeting - Thursday 15th March 2007
NOTICE OF AGM
Our AGM meeting is booked for Thursday 15th March 2007at IBM Warwick in the Warwick Conference Room. To ensure our buffet numbers are accurate and IBM Reception/Security are informed please contact Carole Robertson [Committee Secretary] cal@qrob.fsnet.co.uk to book your place. The 2006 AGM minutes are available on-line by using the link at the end of this Newsletter - hard copies are available on request from Carole.
AGENDA
10.30 - COFFEE
11.00 - WELCOME BY CHAIRMAN
REVIEW AND APPROVE 2006 MINUTES
MATTERS ARISING
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
ELECTION OF COMMITTEE
AOB
DRINKS AND REFRESHMENTS AT THE FALCON INN, BIRMINGHAM ROAD, HATTON
Election of Committee
This item on the agenda is of more importance this year as we are losing several members of the Committee through resignation. Ray Castle will be stepping down after a successful period of Chairman and Gordon Jones will be relinquishing the post of Membership Secretary after several years. Anne Hope will also be stepping down and will be remembered for organising some rather different events. The Committee is very sorry to lose them and we are sure that all members would like to thank them for their efforts on our behalf.
What it does mean is that we need replacements. Some arm-twisting has taken place already but if you fancy being involved at the sharp end we would like to hear from you. Any Committee member will be pleased to discuss what is involved but in any event all nominations for the Committee or Chair should be sent to Carole no later than the 6th February, with the names of proposer and seconder.
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2007 Events
Here is an update to the 2007 Diary.
15 March AGM. Details in this Newsletter.
13-15 April Trip to Kent. Details in this Newsletter.
10-13 August Simon Barratt is organising a trip by coach to North Wales. We will be staying at the Chatsworth House Hotel in Llandudno and hope to visit the Festiniog Railway and Conway Valley branchline, together with several other attractions in the area. No, it won't all be trains, although the scenery is often seen to the best advantage from the railway and we will be visiting some non-rail attractions. Cost will be under £200 - further details will be published in the April Newsletter.
November We are hoping to arrange a Thai meal sometime at the beginning of November. Details later.
Brian Wilson
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Chartwell and Gardens of Kent - 13th to 15th April 2007 (organiser Carole Robertson)
This is your chance to view three splendid NT gardens in Kent, known as the Garden of England. The Brands Hatch 4 Star Thistle hotel has been booked offering dinner, bed and English breakfast for 2 nights. This hotel set in landscaped gardens offers a relaxed setting with facilities including a leisure club and indoor swimming pool.
The gardens to view include Hughenden Manor at High Wycombe - Benjamin Disraeli lived here from 1848 until his death in 1881. Sissinghurst Castle Garden, more traditional but beautiful and if time permits Tenterden [home of Pop Larkins "Darling Buds of May". Finally, on Sunday to the home of Sir Winston Churchill, Chartwell, to view the house, gardens and studio, showing many of his paintings.
We plan to depart from Warwick at 9.30 on Friday 13th and return early evening Sunday 15th.
Member and first guest cost per person £110, second guest £135 per person. Based on two sharing a twin room with en suite. Single room supplement £40 [4 max]. The cut off date of 26th February will allow the Club and Group Travel to meet the Hotel requirements for payment.
If you require travel insurance please add £6.30 per person, if you carry Annual Travel Insurance please give details on the booking form.
Please remember to bring your National Trust membership card with you. Admissions for non- National Trust members £30.
Carole Robertson - telephone 0121 704 9677 email cal@qrob.fsnet.co.uk
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ISLE OF MAN - 14th to 18th May 2007 (organiser - John Smith)
In response to many requests for a shorter coach holiday, this year we are going to the Isle of Man. 2007 is the centenary of the T.T motorcycle races. We will not be there during the actual races, but there will be special events through the year.
In addition to the T.T races, the Isle of Man is a wonderful centre for touring, with steam trains, horse drawn trams, castles, museums and beautiful cities and towns.
Provisional Itinerary
This itinerary is given provisionally because this early in the year, there some events have not been finalised. The reason for the early announcement is that we need to pay early to ensure the ferry crossings.
Monday Leave IBM Warwick to get the traditional ferry crossing to the Isle of Man. Once in Douglas we travel directly to Port Erin, in the south west of the island, where we will stay for 4 nights at the Grosvenor Hotel. The hotel, which overlooks the bay at Port Erin, is family run, with comfortable bedrooms with en suite facilities, colour tv and tea making facilities.
Tuesday A relaxed excursion to the City of Peel, which is only the size of a village but has 2 cathedrals, a castle and a heritage visitor centre. (In addition we are trying to arrange a visit to a T.T event - only provisional).
Wednesday A day to do your own thing - there are plenty. From Port Erin one of the steam lines takes you to Douglas where you can ride on the horse drawn trams, get a bus to do a lap of the T.T course or just walk along the cliffs and coastline.
Thursday Today we visit Ramsey then continue on to Laxy, home of the largest working water wheel, Lady Isabella. From here we travel to the highest point on the island - Snaefell. You can choose how to get to the top, pay to go up on the electric railway or walk to the peak of 2000+ feet.
Friday We leave the hotel early this morning - to catch the ferry from Douglas at 08.45 to travel to Heysham. Then continue south to IBM Warwick.
Included in the price:-
Coach travel to/from Port Erin,
Tours in itinerary
Return ferry crossing Heysham to Douglas
4 nights dinner & bed
3 english and 1 continental breakfasts
Not included:-
Travel Insurance (mandatory)
Entrance to attractions and train fares
Price £255 each for Club members and 1st guest.
Booking Send a completed booking form with a deposit of £25 per person ( cheque made out to IBM Retirees Club (Midlands). Final payment will be requested later.
To:- John Smith, 105 Thorns Avenue, Quarry Bank, West Midlands, DY5 2XW.
Places are allocated in order of receipt of booking form and cheque and we have set a cut off date of 25th Feb 2007 - GET YOURS IN EARLY IF YOU WANT TO BE SURE OF YOUR PLACES.
John Smith Email jsmith.quarrybank@blueyonder.co.uk Telephone 01384 860882
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Newsletter Links
Links to Booking Forms by individual events
2007 Diary Committee Contact List PC and Technology Group
General Notes About Events AGM Minutes
Membership Information Newsletter Production and Archives
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