March 2008 Newsletter

IBM Retirees Club (Midlands)

(www.retireesmidclub.org.uk)

March 2008 Newsletter

Editorial

Our speaker at the Ryton Spring Lunch was certainly lively as well as informative and 42 members and guests enjoyed him telling us about the connection between Sulgrave Manor and the US President, George Washington, after an excellent lunch. Sulgrave Manor sounds an interesting place to visit (not far from Banbury) and would make an easy day out from Warwick. Perhaps we should add it to our events list - let me know if you might be interested.

I am writing this just as the AGM has taken place. The promised visit from Jonathan Ferrar took place and afterwards we enjoyed lunch at the refurbished Falcon Inn; more next month. The other event this month is our visit to the Guide Dogs which should prove interesting.

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Looking ahead, we have unfortunately had to cancel the trip to Holland in April - see note later in this Newsletter. However, the Rambling Weekend in May is almost fully booked - again, see note later - and the trip to Chester and area is now completely full.

Bookings are now being taken for the day out to Cirencester and Rodmarton Manor, our weekend in Norwich and also for the wine trip to Spain. Details and booking forms in this Newsletter. And after the success of the visit to Bletchley Park, the PC and Technology Group are planning a weekend in Yorkshire - see later.

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Brian Wilson, Newsletter Editor. Telephone: 01926-777710 e-mail: brian_h_wilson@msn.com

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Dutch Bulbfields, Keukenhof Park & Amsterdam 18-21 April 2008 (organiser Simon Barratt)

Because we had trouble getting the accomodation we required for this trip, it meant that the announcement was rather later than intended and we therefore didn't receive enough bookings to make the trip viable and we have regretfully been forced to cancel.

The good news however, is that we have started to make arrangements for a 4-day/5-night trip to Holland in April 2009 to see the famous and colourful Flower Parade that runs between Noordwijk and Harlem, as well as visiting The Hague and other points of interest. So that we get some idea of the number of you who might join this trip, could you please email me at sjbarratt@btinternet.com indicating your interest (without commitment, of course). We can then proceed with whatever arrangements are necessary.

Simon Barratt

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Rambling Group Weekend, Friday 9th to Monday 12th May

We have two Double/Twin rooms left on the Rambling Group weekend at Scarborough.

The hotel is the Clifton, English Rose Hotels, and we have a three night stay with bed, breakfast & evening meal.

Coach travel both ways and for the arrangements during the holiday is included in the price.

There will be organized rambles and sight seeing for any non walkers so walking is not mandatory.

The cost will be £140 approx pp after club subsidy if we fill these rooms.

If you are interested please contact Gordon Jones on either t_g_jones@tiscali.co.uk or 01455556192 (Answer machine).

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Day Trip to Cirencester and Rodmarton Manor 5th June 2008 (organiser Alan Palmer)

We will leave IBM Warwick at 9:45am for the drive to Cirencester where you will have free time to see the sights, shop and have lunch. At 13:30, we leave for the "Arts and Crafts" house - Rodmarton Manor. There you will have a private guided tour of the house, free time to wander in the lovely garden and an included "tea and cakes". At 17:00 we will leave for IBM Warwick (arriving at 18:00-18:30).

CIRENCESTER attractions include :-St Michael's Park; Cirencester Park; Abbey Grounds, the Norman Arch and Roman Wall; Riverside Walk (2.5 miles); The Corinium Museum; many individual shops; pubs etc. See www.cirencester.com/

RODMARTON MANOR is the supreme example of a house built and all its furniture made according to Arts and Crafts ideals and was one of the last country houses to be built and furnished in the old traditional style when everything was done by hand with local stone, local timber and local craftsmen. See www.rodmarton-manor.co.uk We will have the whole place to ourselves.

The 8 acre garden is interesting any month of the year. It was designed originally as a series of outdoor rooms and is still the same today. There is a wide selection of planting that has been done over the years with superb vistas and views throughout and plenty of places to sit and admire the view. Each part of the garden has a different character ranging from the tiny plants in troughs, bigger plants in the rockery, lawns, a large kitchen garden, white borders, to the magnificent herbaceous borders which are constantly being replanted and improved.

Cost £12.00 or £22.00 for second guests. Numbers are limited, so it's advisable to book early.

The closing date is April 25th. Second guests will be allocated places if there is space as the house tour is for a maximum of 24 people.

Alan Palmer Telephone 01789 741908 email aandapalmer@tiscali.co.uk

- Go to Booking Form

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Norwich with Sandringham, Wroxham & Cromer 15-18 August (organiser Alan Palmer)

This trip is based round Half Board at the 4 star Holiday Inn in Norwich at a special low rate (roughly equivalent to normal 3 star rates in Norwich). In brief....

Friday 15th By coach from Warwick at 9:30am to Norwich via Cambridge (with free time to explore the city and have lunch)

Saturday 16th After breakfast, free time all morning in Norwich then we leave the hotel at 12noon for Wroxham and an included 90 minute boat trip. There will be time for lunch in Wroxham before the boat trip at 2.00pm.

Sunday 17th After breakfast, a day by the sea in Cromer and optionally a visit to Felbrigg Hall NT (about £8 for non-members).

Monday 18th After breakfast we leave the hotel for Sandringham House (entry included) once described as "The most comfortable house in England" and today is the country retreat of Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh. Then back to Warwick by early evening.

Cost per person £175 or £199.50 for second guests (single supplement £45 extra) plus £8.80 travel insurance unless you have sufficient cover on your own policy. The booking period is quite early and a bit short as we have to get the deposits to the travel company earlier than this novice committee member expected! However, the final payment is not due until 20th June.

Places will be confirmed by email or by post if you include an SAE please.

- Go to Booking Form

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National Media Museum, Bradford and other places of interest 5th - 8th September 2008 (organised by the PC and Technology Group)

Following the successful trip to Bletchley Park last year, the IBM Retirees PC Group is planning a trip to the National Media Museum in Bradford over a long weekend from Friday 5th September to Monday 8th September. We may also include a trip to the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds if there is sufficient interest. Please put a note in your diaries - details to follow later.

Alan Bridgman

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Spain, La Rioja - 21st September 2008 for 6 days

The exact agenda for this trip is not completely finalised but will be based upon an immensely successful tour which has been running for several years and which has been revised almost entirely for 2008 in order to introduce new bodegas and a new hotel; thus those of you who came on the 2006 IBM Retirees trip are assured of experiencing some new, world class bodegas. The hotel will be similar to the Hotel Marques de Vallejo, a comfortable 3* establishment just off the main square in Logrono near to the cathedral. This very interesting region is scenic in a rugged way, and the journey from Santander to Rioja is quite stunning. It is still relatively unspoilt, and we are assured of receiving a warm welcome accompanied by fine wines and superb gastronomy.

After our pickup in Warwick we set off for Plymouth to board the "Pont Aven", flagship of Brittany Ferries' fleet where we will begin with an on-board tutored tasting followed by dinner.

Next morning we reach Spain and set off southwards via Bilbao to Fuenmayor just outside Logroño for our first tasting at Bodegas Corral. We then continue into the city to check into the Hotel Marques de Vallejo, or a similar hotel, for three nights. Dinner tonight is at a nearby restaurant which enjoys an outstanding reputation.

On Tuesday we set off for Haro to visit Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia, the oldest and most traditional bodega in Rioja. Lunch will be taken at the absolutely outstanding Remelluri Estate, and then we'll go to Laguardia for sightseeing. In the evening the Tour Escort will show you the way to the famous street of tapas bars, Calle Laurel.

On Wednesday we drive towards Haro to visit the newly inaugurated "City of Wine" designed by Frank Gehry at Marques de Riscal. We have another lengthy lunch at Cassalareina and then drive to visit Bodegas Montecillo.

We depart the hotel on Thursday and travel northwards to Bilbao for a visit to another Frank Gehry project, the Guggenheim Museum of Modern Art. We continue to Santander in the early afternoon to catch the 1530 sailing to England. Our final dinner together is taken on board. We reach Plymouth at 0900 on Friday morning and the coach then returns us to Warwick.

The cost will depend upon the number of bookings, but should not exceed £495pp. and this includes: the cruise-ferry crossings to and from Spain with 2-berth cabin; travel by executive coach to and from Warwick; tasting and two dinners on board; three nights' accommodation in at least a 3 Star hotel with buffet breakfast; dinner on the first night at Restaurante El Portalon; two lunches in country; all tastings and excursions; services of Stephen Barrett as expert Tour Manager. Cabin upgrades will be available at an additional cost.

Please send deposits of £40 pp to reserve a place on this extremely well priced trip.

- Go to Booking Form

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Click on the links below for specific information. Links to booking forms are from the event announcement.