IBM Retirees Club (Midlands)
(www.retireesmidclub.org.uk)
March 2006 Newsletter
Editorial
64 members and guests attended the lunch with Nell Gwynne at the Jephson Gardens Restaurant in Leamington. There was much hilarity and a good time was had by all. Many thanks to Anne - perhaps we should repeat this event another time, our guest has several other medieval characters which she would be happy to entertain us with.
Our 2006 events are being taken up quite quickly after they have been announced and some are already sold out. There are still a few places left on the Alsace trip and there MIGHT be a couple on the Rioja trip to Spain - check with the organisers.
Don't forget the AGM at Warwick on Thursday 16th March (see Appendix 1 for agenda) commencing at 11:00 with coffee available from 10.30. We adjourn for refreshments to the Waterman on the A4141, just a short distance from Warwick and with plenty of parking, after our AGM. The Committee hope to see a good crowd of members to give us the benefit of your ideas and opinions. If you haven't let Carole know that you will be coming, please let her know so that she can give the Waterman the numbers - cal@qrob.fsnet.co.uk or 0121 704 9677
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We have done some more work on the problem of some members not receiving my email anouncement of the Newsletter availability. It would appear that some ISPs are blocking what they see as spam from other ISPs but more work is needed to clarify this. If any member has any bright ideas, we would certainly like to hear from them.
We have also had occasional instances of members not being able to see the current newsletter. This appears to occur when a member selects our web site and their PC says to itself 'I've already got a copy of this one' and displays it, unaware of the fact that there is a newer version. With effect from this month, I will put a link in the email announcement which will force the latest version.
Finally, if you have any problems, for example, not being able to get a booking form, please let me or any Committee member know - we are not a technical help desk but will try to point you in the right direction. Don't forget that you can look at the web site at any time and you can expect to see the latest Newsletter around mid-month.
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Brian Wilson, Newsletter Editor. Telephone: 01926-777710 e-mail: brian_h_wilson@msn.com
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Visit to Wisley RHS Gardens, 23rd May 2006 (organiser Terry King)
There will be a one day trip to Wisley RHS gardens near Woking Surrey on Tuesday 23rd May 2006. In addition to the gardens, much research is done at Wisley (see the RHS website www.rhs.org.uk for further information). A guided tour of the gardens and a 2 course lunch will be included.
We will leave IBM Warwick at 8am by coach for arrival at RHS Wisley by 11am. Depending upon traffic conditions and coach facilities, we may stop for a brief comfort break en route.
On arrival, tickets will be bought and distributed. A guided tour of the gardens has been booked for 11.15am. Meet at "The Meeting Circle" to join the tour. The timing should allow us to have a coffee beforehand. Lunch will take place in the restaurant commencing at 1pm. After lunch, you will be free to explore the gardens until our departure at 4.30-5pm. Anticipated return time at IBM Warwick is about 7.30pm.
The cost is £25 for members and first guests. This includes coach travel, entry to the gardens, a guided tour and lunch. For RHS members it is £20. Waitlisted bookings can be made for second guests at a price of £35. Second guest confirmations will be made when the number of spare spaces is known. To make sure of your place on this trip please send your bookings to the organiser as soon as possible. Meals need to be pre-ordered so you will need to make your choices on the booking form.
Contact for queries:- Email: terryaking@hotmail.com or telephone: 01327-260132
address: Oakdene, Holly Bush Lane, Priors Marston, Southam, CV47 7RW
Starters:
Home made vegetarian soup
Chicken liver parfait with red onion marmalade and toasted brioche
Melon slices with berry compote
Warm goats cheese & vegetable tartlets with balsamic syrup
Mains:
Roast chicken supreme wrapped in sage & Parma ham on a bed of roasted herb potatoes with a red wine jus
Salmon fillet en croute with a spinach cream sauce,
Stuffed grilling mushrooms with ratatouille in filo pastry with balsamic syrup
Fillet of beef stroganoff on pilau rice
All served with fresh vegetables and potatoes.
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Update on Cragside, Northumberland
Those members, who like me enjoyed the trip to Northumberland in June 2005, may be interested in knowing that Cragside now lies in darkness following an electrical survey that condemned the old wiring. Although the gardens will remain open, the house had to be closed to the public and its precious contents packed up in preparation for a total rewiring. This complicated task will require a year to complete with electricians working full time, supported by specialists conservators. Servicing 170 rooms, this rewiring with installation of fire-resistant cabling, a new conservation-grade system and other essential work, will cost approximately £1.5 million.
Over the next four years a large scale programme will be undertaken to restore important features to Cragside; the astonishing and phenomenal hydro-electric power scheme, one of the largest rock gardens in Europe and its water cascades - the most dramatic of their era. The lakes that store the water are leaking, the original Victorian cast iron pipes that carry the water for the fire hydrants, cascades and turbines have deteriorated and need replacing and cascades have suffered slippage and need repairing.
Cragside is truly unique and exceptional and was created by the visionary industrial and inventor Lord Armstrong, it was the first house in the world to be lit by hydro-electricity, using Joseph Swan's newly invented incandescent light bulbs.
Harry Green
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Changes to Personal Details
Gordon Jones, our Membership Secretary, maintains the membership database so if you change your e-mail address or any other personal details - address, telephone number, etc. - please note that Gordon is the only person who can action changes. He can be contacted by e-mail at gordon_jones@lineone.net or telephone 01455-556192.
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Newsletter Links
Links to Booking Forms by individual events
Click here to see 2006 Diary Click here for Committee Contact List
Click here for General Notes About Events Click here for 2005 AGM Minutes
Click here for Archived Newsletters Click here for Membership Information
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Appendix 1 - Agenda for AGM
IBM RETIREES CLUB - MIDLANDS
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
THURSDAY 16TH MARCH 2006
WARWICK CONFERENCE ROOM
IBM WARWICK
AGENDA
10.30 - COFFEE
11.00 - WELCOME BY CHAIRMAN
REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF LAST YEARS MINUTES
MATTERS ARISING
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
TREASURER'S REPORT
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
AOB
DRINKS AND REFRESHMENTS
THE WATERMAN CANALSIDE PUB
BIRMINGHAM ROAD
HATTON
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