RETIREES CLUB
(www.retireesmidclub.org.uk)
Links to Booking Forms by individual events
Click here to see 2003-programme
Click here for Committee Contact List
Click here for Archived Newsletters
JUNE 2003 NEWSLETTER
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Editorial
Quite a 'bumper bundle' last month. Apart from news of events, there were updates about Associate Membership and Health Insurance which we hope have answered your queries.
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The rambling weekend at Tenby was thoroughly enjoyed by the 39 who attended, particularly after all the organisational problems. Thanks to Gordon for sorting it all out.
We have the Summer Lunch and Upton Jazz Festival taking place this month. Hope the weather keeps fine for the Jazz Festival as it really makes good day out, although there is plenty of cover should there be the odd shower.
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Thanks to all those members who have migrated to Internet access for the Newsletter. It makes a significant difference to our costs and general admin effort. Any members who wish to migrate to Internet access please contact Gordon Jones at gordon_jones@lineone.net to get yourself on the distribution list, also contact him for all membership changes such as address, telephone number, e-mail address.
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Members sometimes have items of general interest which I believe would be worthy of inclusion in the Newsletter. There are two this month - one about private health insurance, the other about a Django Reinhardt (the gipsy guitarist) Festival. If you have anything you think would be of interest, please contact me and state whether you want your name appended or wish to remain anonymous.
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Brian Wilson, Editor. Telephone: 01926-777710 e-mail: brian_h_wilson@msn.com
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Shakespeare Express - Sunday 13th July
Last call for the Restaurant Car! We only have two places left so if you would like to go, please contact Brian Wilson direct (01926-777710) as soon as possible to be sure of a place.
Just as a reminder, lunch will be served on the 12.02 from Stratford, arriving Snow Hill at 12:56. You can start your journey either from Birmingham Snow Hill or Stratford. The timings are 10:38 from Snow Hill arriving in Stratford at 11:38 in time to join the 12:02. Or you can join the 12:02 at Stratford and return on the 17:42 from Snow Hill which will allow time to spend in Birmingham.
Tickets will be issued on the day. People travelling from Birmingham should travel in the First Class coach which is next to the restaurant car and then transfer at Stratford.
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Shugborough Hall 13th August 2003
Shugborough Hall is part of Lord Lichfield's estate near Stafford and our trip will visit the Museum, House and Farm plus the Grounds. Note that Shugborough is administered by Staffordshire County Council with National Trust members having free admission to the house, reduced admission to museum and grounds but must pay for car parking (£2 pay and display). Your ticket covers the cost of admission to house, grounds, museum and also your lunch but not the cost of car parking should you wish to travel in your own car; you will note that NT members pay a lower price as the Club has to pay for non-members. NT members MUST bring their membership cards with them.
The coach will leave IBM Warwick (time to be confirmed), picking up at M42 Tamworth Services if anybody wishes (please indicate on booking form) and arriving at 11:00 when tea/coffee will be served. You will then be free to view the grounds and/or museum until 12:30 when lunch will be served in the Orangery.
At 14:00, there will be a conducted tour of the house which will take about one hour. After this, the coach will move to the farm (about 200 yards distance) and you are free to view the grounds and/or the farm until 16:30 when we depart for Warwick, arriving about 18:00.
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Town and Country Festival Monday 25th August 2003
Many members will have attended this Show which is held over the August Bank Holiday weekend. We have chosen the last day as it is possible to obtain discounted items, particularly plants. For members who have not been, it is held on the Showground at Stoneleigh near Kenilworth and has many different aspects - vintage cars, arts and crafts, food hall, hobbies and collectibles (Meccano buffs will have a field day). A visit to their web site www.townandcountryfestival.org.uk is recommended.
I can order tickets for friends and family if any members wish. These will be full price but the convenience may be useful - note that 'adult' is somebody between 16 and 60.
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Euro Trip - Highlights of Normandy Sept 8th/12th 2003
Would all members going on this trip please note:-
1. The ferry and coach company require everybody to have holiday insurance.
2. If you intend to leave your car at IBM Warwick, send your car registration number to John Smith at jsatqb@whsmithnet.co.uk or telephone him on 01384-860882.
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Peninsula Hotel Guernsey at New Year
Further to my previous notes, I have spoken to the Peninsula Hotel and am advised that their bookings for New Year are building up. Of the ten rooms I reserved, eight have been taken up. I am also advised that if you wish to fly from Southampton, flights should be booked as soon as possible - should you wish to travel by sea, then the hotel can arrange preferential rates; ring Anne Coquelin on 01481-248400. Remember that the core package is £180 for 30-31 December and 1st January but extra nights may be had for £51 per person per night.
Any members who are interested in joining this trip, please contact me for further details.
Brian Wilson
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IBM Retirees PC Group
This group has been in existence for quite a time now but some newer members may not be aware of it and what it does. It is a common interest group and is for IBM Retirees who wish to meet with similar people who have an interest in PCs. That does not include Apple Mac! It is also mainly concerned with Windows operating system and applications that run under Windows.
Previous meetings have covered subjects such as choosing an ISP, creating a web site, creating a database using Lotus Approach and Microsoft Access, getting to grips with graphics, digital cameras, scanners, Adobe photshop, Windows problems, tips and techniques. In fact, anything to do with PCs and their software that is used in the home environment of a typical IBM Retiree.
Contact Harry Green at HDRGreen@aol.com. Or why not go along to one of the meetings which are held every other month, the next one is on July 18th at 11:00 at IBM Warwick where the topic will be a general discussion with the emphasis on backups and home networks.
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News Items from Members
Gipsy Music Festival
Brian Chilver thinks that jazz-inclined members may be interested in this Festival which features the music of Django Reinhardt and will be held at Mosely Private Park Birmingham on 12/13 July. Tickets cost £25 for the two days - telephone 0121 249 2303; supplies are limited as the Park will only hold so many people. There is a web site www.lespritmanouche.com which contains all the information you are likely to need.
Private Health Care
A member has submitted the following after looking at the '121healthcare.com' web site as he feels other retirees should be aware of potential problems.
"I am 70 with previous cardiac problems. If I moved from my present company (Royal and Sun Alliance), the majority of alternative insurance companies would offer cheaper premiums but would exclude pre-condition medical conditions which would NOT be covered. Therefore, in my case, previous cardiac problems would not be covered and this also goes for people with asthma, cancer, eye problems, etc.
Any IBM Retiree contemplating changing their health cover should ensure that their new policy would cover existing illnesses - this is unlikely since no insurance business group would volunteer cheap policies for people with known pre-condition illnesses."
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Committee contacts -
Jean Eysenck fred-jean@w-bourne.freeserve.co.uk 01789 841365
Barry Wiggins bwiggins@southbank.freeserve.co.uk 01926 854580
Carole Robertson cal@qrob.fsnet.co.uk 0121 704 9677
Brian Wilson brian_h_wilson@email.msn.com 01926 777710
Gordon Jones gordon_jones@lineone.net 01455 556192
Brian Chilver 01386 443173
Iain Hewitt iain.hewitt@tiscali.co.uk 01295 670316
John Smith jsatqb@whsmithnet.co.uk 01384 860882
Rick Paslawski rickpaslawski@tesco.net 0121 705 7719
Ray Castle ray@boxacre.freeserve.co.uk 01789 751228
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