IBM Retirees Club (Midlands)
(www.retireesmidclub.org.uk)
January 2008 Newsletter
Editorial
Our Christmas Lunch attracted 102 members and guests and I am sure everybody will wish to thank Ken and Simon for all their hard work in organising the event and also to Phil for producing the 2008 programme card. If you have any comments, positive or negative, please let any member of the Committee know as we do like to have feedback.
Don't forget our Spring Lunch at Ryton Organic Gardens on 18th February which has attracted a goodly number so far. We do have room for a few more, though, so I have repeated the announcement later in the Newsletter if you would like to attend.
Two events in March. Firstly the Annual General Meeting on 10th - no booking form but please let Carole know if you will be attending so that she has an idea of numbers. Secondly there is a visit to the Guide Dogs for the Blind in Leamington on the 18th - further details and a booking form later in this Newsletter.
This year the Rambling Group will be going to Scarborough. Whilst this is not a Retirees event (the Rambling Group are a sub-section of the main Club), quite a number of retirees go on the rambling trips so we are happy to publicise their events. Details later in this Newsletter.
We have planned a weekend in July based in Chester to take in Liverpool (European City of Culture this year) and some of the other attractions on Merseyside. However, in addition to the other attractions, this year sees the start of the Tall Ships Race from Liverpool which will be a very impressive sight. See the announcement and booking form later in this Newsletter.
There is one firm update to the Diary for 2008 - the Summer Lunch is to be at Blenheim Palace on 9th July so get this date in your diaries. The trip to Holland is to be over the weekend of 26th April rather than the early part of the month - Simon is negotiating the best deal with the coach company and we hope to have final details next month.
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Thanks to those who sent me various items regarding scams, phishing, etc. However, on reflection, I am not proposing to send any more of these alerts out (unless somebody convinces me otherwise!!) as I feel that most of our members are quite capable of counteracting any of these threats - however, I have discussed the matter with the PC & Technology Group with a view to perhaps producing a summary of some of the known threats which are worth highlighting; please let me know what you think.
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Brian Wilson, Newsletter Editor. Telephone: 01926-777710 e-mail: brian_h_wilson@msn.com
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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 is 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.
The 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.
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Annual General Meeting 10th March 2008
NOTICE OF AGM
Our AGM meeting is booked for Monday 10th March at IBM Warwick Conference Centre. To ensure everything runs smoothly, allow time for sign-in at Reception and contact Carole Robertson, Club Secretary [carole.robertson@talktalk.net] if you are planning to attend and secondly if you are joining us for refreshments after the meeting at the Falcon Inn, Hatton.
The 2007 AGM minutes are available on-line [use the link at the end of this Newsletter] otherwise hard copies are available from Carole R.
Agenda
10.30 coffee
11.30 Welcome by Chairman
Review and approve 2007 minutes
Matters arising
Chairman's Report
Speaker [an invitation has been extended to Jonathan Ferrar Director of HR]
Election of Committee
AOB
REFRESHMENTS AT THE FALCON INN, BIRMINGHAM ROAD, HATTON.
Carole Robertson
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Visit to Guide Dogs for The Blind 18th March 2008 - organisers Heskett Dawson/Brian Wilson
This event resulted from a suggestion by Heskett Dawson who is involved with GDBA and has offered to be on the roster on the day so that he will be able to host our visit. As Heskett is not on the Committee, Brian Wilson is attending to the administration.
We have decided to combine the GDBA visit with lunch in a nearby restaurant and the event will therefore take the following format:-
The visit will consist of a talk, a tour of the Centre, a short film and the opportunity to purchase items from the shop. Please note that it is unlikely that you will see dogs in training as they are out and about in the town but the tour will take in the kennel blocks and the Centre may well be able to show other things of interest. We have been asked to point out that when in the kennels there are some awkward little steps and drainage channels so please take care.
The visit will end at about 16:00 with a farewell tea and biscuits.
The Committee have agreed to build in a donation to GDBA as part of the costs of the visit but if you wish to make a personal donation that will of course be most welcome.
Cost to members and first guest will be £6 per head - we may be able to accommodate second guests but there is a top limit of 40 so please check with the organiser regarding availability.
Contact Brian Wilson 01926 777710 Mobile 0771 969 6312 Email brian_h_wilson@msn.com with any queries.
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Rambling Weekend 9-12 May 2008 (organiser Gordon Jones)
We hope to run this year's Rambling weekend on the 9 - 12 May (Friday to Monday), the location this year being Scarborough.
We will stay at the Hotel Clifton, 2*, which is part of English Rose Hotels group.
The likely cost will be £168 less any subsidy if we can fill a 29 seat coach, less if we can get more than 33 on a 49 seat coach. The minimum number I think we could go with is 25 which would give a cost of £175 before subsidy.
No single room penalty as long as we don't have a lot.
The format would be as in previous years, the coach would drop off the walkers and take the non-walkers sight seeing and pick up the walkers on return as needed.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN GOING please reply to t_g_jones@tiscali.co.uk or ring on 01455 556192 and give me numbers. There is an answering machine on that number if I am not around. I need to let the hotel know if it is to go ahead by February 1st. I will contact everyone in early February with details.
Gordon Jones
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Visit to Liverpool to see the Tall Ships and to Other Places around Chester 18 - 21 July 2008
(organiser - Ken Hope)
On Friday evening, after spending some time in the historic city of Chester, we will arrive for a three night stay (dinner included) in the 4 star Chester Ramada Hotel (with a fitness centre and swimming pool). Saturday will be spent in Liverpool where we can get close to scores of sailing ships berthed alongside the Albert and Central Docks as they prepare for the Tall Ships Races. Liverpool will also have some special events going on to celebrate it's position of European City Of Culture 2008,. On Sunday there will be a visit to the Anderton Boat Lift, an impressive Victorian canal engineering marvel, and to one of the many National Trust houses in the area. On Monday, we will see the ships in full sail as they set off for Norway. Any questions please phone Ken Hope on 01926 624203 or e-mail ( kenhope@barford.org.uk)
Cost
£230 (max) per member or first guest (based on two sharing) + £9.20 pp Travel Insurance if you don't have your own cover.
To Book Your Place
At present 40 places have been reserved; should we require further places we need to know as soon as possible. We now need a deposit of £30 per person to retain the rooms we have requested. (All the hotels in the area will be busy as the Open Golf Championship is at the Royal Birkdale at the same time). So please send in your booking form and cheque as soon as possible to Ken Hope.
Links
Liverpool Tall Ships http://www.topchart.co.uk/397_sailing_Liverpool-Hospitality-Tall-Ships-Race-2008.htm
European City of Culture 2008 http://www.liverpool08.com/Events/2008EventsProgramme/index.asp
Ramada Hotel Chester http://www.ramadajarvis.co.uk/hotel/overview.asp?hotel_id=61
Anderton Boat Lift http://www.andertonboatlift.co.uk/visitors.htm
Chester http://www.visitchester.com/
Ken Hope, 12 High St, Barford, Warwick, CV35 8BU
Telephone:- 01926 624203 Email:- kenhope@barford.org.uk
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Click on the links below for specific information. Links to booking forms are from the event announcement.
2008 Diary Committee Contact List PC and Technology Group
General Notes About Events AGM Minutes
Membership Information Newsletter Archives Newsletter Production
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