IBM Retirees Club (Midlands)
(www.retireesmidclub.org.uk)
July 2009 Newsletter
Editorial
Since the last newsletter, we have had three events take place. Firstly 15 jazz enthusiasts enjoyed the annual festival at Upton-on-Servern - in fact, it is almost an annual event for the Club and if you were thinking of going next year, please let me know and we may be able to fit it in to the programme. Thanks to Dave Williams for organising this one.
Secondly, our thanks to Tony Mancell for a most enjoyable visit to the North East. Based at an excellent hotel in Kelso (The Cross Keys), the 30 attendees visited some most interesting places; the weather held for the most part, although we nearly got drowned at Floors Castle and had to avoid the buckets which were catching the water from the leaks in the roof.
Finally, the weather again held for an excellent flying display at the Imperial War Museum site at Duxford, near Cambridge. If you like old (and sometimes ancient) aircraft doing their thing, this is one of the best sites in the UK. As well as the flying display, there is lots to see in the hangers where there are many static aircraft to view in various stages of restoration. Thanks to Phil Dalton for putting this trip together, enjoyed by 15 members and guests.
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I hope you will all take note of Dave Compton's piece about travel insurance. When he told me about this, I immediately checked my own policy and found there was indeed a minimum number of days - it comes in my case under 'definition of a journey' - and found it was two days minimum.
A relevant matter is - have you got an EHIC card (used to be E111) which gives you access to medical treatment abroad. I HOPE you all have one but don't forget the EHIC has an expirey date.
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I have added another link at the end of the Newsletter entitled 'IBM Club Warwick'. Click on the links to access all sorts of information and in particular the various sub-sections. Apart from information in the Golf Sub-section, I haven't added any contact information as this is listed under 'sub-sections' on the IBM Club Warwick web site. However, if anyone has any comments about where to put information and the content, please let me know. I would prefer not to have duplication between our two web sites and would rather put in appropriate links to access what may be required.
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Brian Wilson, Newsletter Editor. Telephone: 01926-777710 e-mail: brian_h_wilson@msn.com
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Events Update
There are some changes to the published programme - I have updated the Diary link at the end of this Newsletter but there follows a summary:-
22nd July - Summer Lunch. There is still time to book if you would like to go. Contact Carole Robertson in the first instance.
30th July - Bourton House and Sezingcote. Fully booked.
14th August - Shrewsbury Flower Show. To make the coach viable, we need more people to book otherwise we may have to cancel it. You are welcome to go under you own steam and Barry Wiggins will obtain tickets for you but please remember that parking can be a problem whereas the coach will drop you off at the entrance.
27th August - Houses of Parliament. Fully booked.
21-25 September - Northern Ireland. Still places available. Contact Dave Compton or Alan Bridgman.
26th September - Evening air show at Shuttleworth Collection. Regrettably, we have had to postpone this event as some of our aircraft enthusiasts (including the organiser) have a clash of dates. We hope to run this one in 2010.
15th October - Sulgrave Manor. After some thought, we have decided to postpone this event until 2010. The venue could not accomodate us until mid-October and, as the extensive gardens would not be at their best, we felt that sometime mid-year would be a better time.
October - Rambling Trip to Derbyshire. Further details later.
November - Ethnic Dinner. We have now moved this one to November from the previously planned October. Further details later.
The Committee are having their annual Planning Meeting in August to decide events for 2010. If you have any ideas for events (or indeed any comments at all), please contact one of the Committee before the 7th of August.
Brian Wilson
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Travel Insurance
How carefully have you read the small print of your travel insurance?
Many of us have an annual policy assuming it covers everything but the small print often make exclusions, particularly for travel within the UK. This is important if you have a short break in the UK such as the recent Norwich or Northumberland trips or the forthcoming Northern Ireland trip.
On examination, one member recently found that their cover for UK travel was only valid if a minimum of 5 nights was pre-booked; another had a minimum of 3 nights.
It is not only the risk of cancellation that you need cover for travel within the UK but also to cover the cost of an extended stay or repatriation should you fall ill, or worse!
Most travel companies with whom we deal require confirmation of your travel insurance and usually require each participant to complete a disclaimer form if they are providing their own cover.
If you are taking part in any Retiree Club short break, please check your own policy details to ensure you are fully covered before it is too late.
Dave Compton
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Click on the links below for specific information. Links to booking forms are from the event announcement.
2009 Diary General Notes about Events AGM Minutes Committee Contacts
Membership Information Newsletter Archives Newsletter Production
PC and Technology Group (Founded by Harry Green) IBM Retirees Information