November 2007 Newsletter

IBM Retirees Club (Midlands)

(www.retireesmidclub.org.uk)

November 2007 Newsletter

Editorial

Our visit to Bletchley Park attracted 51 members and guests. Our host was an ex-IBMer, Allan Pearce, who seemed to know all there was to know about the various aspects of Bletchley Park - we also visited Colossus and were give the low-down on it's progress by Tony Sale (now there's an enthusiast). All in all, an excellent day out. If you would like to view a couple of photographs click here.

Don't forget the Christmas lunch. I have repeated the announcement in full in case you don't have immediate access to the October Newsletter.

A couple of dates for your diary. Firstly, Phil Dalton has arranged a trip at short notice to the Three Choirs vineyard at Newent on December 7th and details are later in this Newletter. We have had several requests to repeat this event so now is your opportunity if you missed the previous ones. Because of limitations on space we can only accomodate 20 members and guests so it is a question of "first come, first served".

Secondly, I have pleasure in announcing our first event for 2008 and it is something a little different as you will see from the announcement. Here is an opportunity to chat to an antiques expert and have one of your treasured possessions valued.

--------------------------------------------------

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

**********************************************************************

Visit to Three Choirs Vineyard - Friday December 7th 2007 (organiser - Phil Dalton)

An additional item has been added to the IBM Retirees Club agenda for 2007 with a return tour of the Three Choirs Vineyard, Newent, Glos, with Winetasting and a 3 course lunch included on Friday December 7th 2007. Excellent comments have been received from those who have previously been to Three Choirs. The tour and wine tasting will start at 12:20, with lunch being served at 13:30.

The cost of the tour, wine tasting and lunch is £19 for IBM Retiree Club members and first guest.

Due to the relatively short notice of this event and the fact that it is limited to a maximum of twenty people, the first 20 replies e-mailed back to the organizer Phil Dalton (phil_dalton@btinternet.com) with a completed booking form attached to the email will be placed on a list in order of receipt - hardcopy of menu selection and cheque should then be sent to Phil Dalton, Tanglewood, 22 Warwick Road, Wellesbourne, Warwick, CV35 9LX as soon as possible.

Please see attached documents for details of the tour and menu selection.

Address: Three Choirs Vineyard Estate and Hotel, Newent, Gloucestershire, GL18 1LS.

Telephone: 01531 890223

Directions: Three Choirs is on the B4215, two miles from Newent, Gloucestershire. They are within an hour's drive of Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff and most places in between, just 15 minutes from Junction 11a on the M5 and less than 10 minutes from Junction Three of the M50. A map is available at the following URL: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=GL181LS&ie=UTF8&om=1&ll=51.997565,-2.500763&spn=0.206731,0.462799&z=11

Wine purchase from shop.

Three Choirs wines are available from the shop, with the more wine being bought in a single transaction the bigger the discount (max 15%). The discount applicable to mixed cases. Therefore, should anyone be interested in buying any wine to take home then please let Phil Dalton know by the start of the meal and they will be purchased in a single transaction. The requested wine will then be exchanged for cash or cheque.

- Go to Booking Form (HTML version) - Go to booking Form (Word version)

- Go to Guided Tour Information

**********************************************************************

Christmas Lunch 2007 - Thursday 20th December (Organisers Ken Hope & Simon Barratt )

This year the Christmas Lunch will be at Ashorne Hill Conference Centre. This 13th Century Manor House is set in 35 acres of beautiful Warwickshire countryside and was extended to its present form in the 1890s. ( If you have internet access you can view Ashorne Hill at their website. (www.ashornehill.co.uk/index.php)) The Centre runs residential Executive Management training courses and is particularly suitable for running our annual prestige event.

There will be a mulled wine on arrival followed by a three course lunch with wine on the table and coffee and mince pies to finish. The cost is £17.50 per head for members and first guests.

The mulled wine reception starts at noon. Lunch, with waiter service, will start at 1.00 p.m. In addition a bar will be available throughout for cash purchases.

As usual you will need to pre-order all the courses using the booking form.

Your individual name cards with your menu choices will be available when you arrive and you will be asked to place them on the tables straight away. For those who want to plan your table groups there are 8 places per table but there can be no table reservations beforehand.

Please send your booking form together with your cheque for the appropriate amount as soon as possible, to the organiser:-

Ken Hope, 12 High Street, Barford, Warwick, CV35 8BU

Telephone: 01926-624203 Email: kenhope@barford.org.uk

- Go to Booking Form

- Go to Location and Directions Information

***********************************************************************

IBM Antiques Roadshow - Tuesday 15th January 2008 (organiser - Carole Robertson)

Something a little different for January 2008 - join us for a buffet luncheon and bring along one item which you would like valued. Mark Hannam of Bonhams, Knowle has been invited to chat to us and value one item per couple.

This should be fun and a room has been booked at the Royal British Legion, Warwick Road, Knowle for Tuesday 15th January 2008. We plan to start at 12.00 noon and continue until approximately 3.00pm.

Member Richard Williams has kindly organised this event with Carole Robertson as Committee link.

Make a note in your diary - final details and a booking form will be included in the December Newsletter.

The Royal British Legion is located just below the Wilson Arms, Warwick Road and has ample parking at the front and back of the building.

**********************************************************************

Newsletter Links

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