IBM Retirees Club (Midlands)
(www.retireesmidclub.org.uk)
July 2012 Newsletter
Editorial
Many of you will be aware that the Cardiff trip had to be cancelled due to unforseen circumstances. It has been suggested that we run it again sometime in 2013 - please let the Committee know if you would be interested.
Our two events in June were both outdoors so there was some trepidation regarding the weather but fortunately, the weather was kind to us and the visits to Much Marcle/Hampton Court Castle and Llangollen were enjoyed by all attendees. Our thanks to Dave Dagley and Alan Bridgman respectively for organising two excellent days out.
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Brian Wilson, Newsletter Editor. Telephone: 01926-777710 e-mail: brian_h_wilson@msn.com
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Events
Click here to see the list of the events which are planned for the current year. The following is the status of those which have been announced.
20 July PC Group Meeting
15 August Summer Lunch. Don't forget to book if you haven't already done so. Details in June Newsletter.
22 August Visit to Lichfield and the National Arboretum at Alrewas. Please respond by 31st July as numbers have to be confirmed to the venue.
12 September Vist to Guide Dogs for the Blind breeding centre. Cancelled - see note later in Newsletter.
24-28 September Four night/five day trip to Kent. Check with Simon or Tony for availability.
11 October Black Country Day Out. Event cancelled due to insufficient bookings.
19 October Coombe Abbey Medieval Feast. See note later in this Newsletter.
30 November - 3 December Budapest Christmas Markets. Event closed.
Christmas Lunch Details will be announced as soon as known.
New Year trip to Cornwall Event closed.
Booking Conditions Click here to read the terms and conditions.
Photographs from Past Events Click here to view a selection of photographs from past events.
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Chairman's Notes
It saddens me to have to report that the Midlands Club has been hit by a double financial "whammie" this month. We were expecting that our 2nd half IBM subsidy for 2012 would be reduced in line with the general reduction in costs across IBM UK. But it has turned out to be much greater than expected. Your treasurer, Phil Dalton, is trying to find out how it was calculated and whether it is correct.
And, as quite a few of you already know, the Cardiff trip has had to be cancelled. Unfortunately this was only partly the fault of Johnsons Coaches, whom we were using as our travel agent, and therefore we have had to quickly investigate how this situation arose. As a result of this, Johnsons very generously have repaid the full coach costs and insurance costs, but the hotel had already been paid and it was too late to cancel and retrieve our money. So Phil Dalton managed to find enough additional funds to repay most of the Cardiff participants in full. But the effect of this may cause a reduction in subsidy for other events in 2012 and possibly reduce the number of events that we can run in 2013.
However, your Committee will do the best that it can to produce a worthwhile programme of events for next year that all will enjoy.
Kind regards
Alan Bridgman, Chairman, IBM Midlands Retirees
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LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL AND NATIONAL ARBORETUM – Wednesday 22nd August (organiser Dave Compton)
As you will have noted in the last Newsletter, we planned to visit Shugborough Hall together with the National Arboretum. However, it is not now possible to visit Shugborough but we have been able to arrange a visit to Lichfield Cathedral and the National Arboretum which we hope will be of equal interest. See the announcement below.
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Two guided tours, lunch and refreshments – all for just £14 for members and first guest (£21 for second guests) makes this a worthwhile day out at these relatively local attractions. In order to keep costs down, this will be a ‘self drive’ event.
The proposed schedule is:
10.00 Arrive at Lichfield Cathedral for tea/coffee and biscuits
10.30 Guided tour of Lichfield Cathedral
11.30 Take a little time to look more closely at the cathedral and drive the 15 minutes to the National Arboretum in time for lunch.
12.30 Two course set lunch followed by tea/coffee. (Roast of the day, vegetarian option)
13.30 Guided tour of the National Arboretum
14.30 Free time to explore further.
If you would like to include a particular memorial during the Arboretum visit, please indicate this on the booking form. Send booking form and full payment to organiser to arrive no later than Monday 31st July.
Dave Compton
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MEDIEVAL BANQUET AT COOMBE ABBEY - 19th October (organiser Dave Compton)
Come live like Lordes and Ladyes of a bygone era and enjoy a hearty feast fit for a King at Coombe Abbey for their popular Medieval Banquet. Cost for members and first guest would be approximately £24.00pp (Second guests can be included at £39.00pp) .
Included are:-
4 Course Feast
3 Goblets of Red or White Wine (please indicate choice on booking form)
3 Beakers of Mead
Full Stage Show
Post Banquet Disco (if you can take the pace!)
Coombe Abbey will only hold provisional bookings for a few days so I need to have a good idea of the interest before proceeding.
Please send me an e-mail as soon as possible if you would be interested and whether you would prefer red or white wine.
Dave Compton dave@compton-family.eu
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Announcements and Advertisments
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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.
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.
IBM Midlands Retiree Club Constitution Committee Contacts Agm Minutes
Newsletter Archives Newsletter Production
IBM Alumni Programme IBM Hursley Museum IBM Shares
IBM Pensions Trust (Rewards, IBM Contacts, IBM EPP and other useful information)
- Return to Current Newsletter