IBM Retirees Club (Midlands)  

                                  (www.retireesmidclub.org.uk)

 

November 2010 Newsletter 

Editorial 

One of our members has submitted details of parking in Harrow for £3.50 per day which seems a better deal than driving into Central London and having to pay the charges there.  I have modified the link about parking at Bedfont to include this information.  Any feedback would be appreciated, particularly if the car park owners put up their charges!  Thanks Tony.

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The status of current events is as follows:-

You will see an announcement and booking form for our trip to Arras in April.  The trip is announced now as we need to be able to confirm the hotel rooms which are currently being held.  For the same reason, there is also a pre-announcement of our trip to Yorkshire in June.  If you fancy one or both of these, get the dates in your diaries.

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

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Event Report

Warner Break at Nidd Hall

A small but select group enjoyed a weekend break at this 4 star hotel, set in its own parkland, near Harrogate. The hotel was excellent with good facilities and even though full for the weekend, this was only noticeable in the restaurant and car park. We enjoyed a guided tour of nearby Knaresborough, well worth a visit if you have not been, and a couple of drinks receptions in addition to the Saturday night performance by the Pasadena Roof Orchestra (a few braved the dance floor). Members took advantage of the many events laid on by the hotel, explored local attractions, or simply relaxed in the hotel and grounds.

A good weekend but room for a few more next time!

Barry Wiggins

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Day Out in Lincoln

Twenty-three of us left IBM Warwick on Thursday 21st October for a trip to Lincoln. We were met by our Lincoln Green Guide, Sue, who took us round the Cathedral Quarter to get our bearings. As a bonus, we watched the Grenadier Guards forming up to march away after a service in the Cathedral - the Grenadier Guards were given the freedom of the City of Lincoln some years ago. We had a very leisurely 3-course lunch at the Wig & Mitre before everyone went their separate ways to explore this fascinating and beautiful city. Some headed down Steep Hill (it really is!); others explored the Cathedral; and then everyone met up for the coach journey back to Warwick.

Alan Bridgman

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Visit to Bletchley Park

Two people had to cry off due to sickness so it was 41 members and guests who travelled to Bletchley Park to see what they had been doing since our last visit three years ago.  We were hosted by Peter Westcombe who seems to know everything there is to know about Bletchley Park and we were quite impressed by what had been achieved in a short space of time.  They have acquired some IBM items, including an 029 card punch which elicited some comment from the ex-CEs on the lines of "if it goes wrong, I'm your man".  The trouble with Bletchley Park is that there is a lot to see and its not easy to see it all in one day - to address this, if you purchase a full price ticket, it will be valid for return visits up to 12 months.   If you want to get involved, I'm sure the people there would be pleased to hear from you.  

A good day out and thanks to Roger Goodman and Alan Bridgman for organising it.

Brian Wilson

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Alan Palmer's Resignation

I am sorry to have to report that Alan Palmer has chosen to resign as Chairman and from the IBM Midlands Retirees' Committee. Alan has been on the Committee longer than I have and we shall all miss him. During that time Alan has seen the anomaly of his permanent Associate Member status resolved thanks to the tenacious work carried out by Ken Hope with IBM HR - he is now a fully-fledged Retiree Member! I should also like to take this opportunity to thank Alan for all the hard work he has put in and all the events he has run for the Retirees Club over recent years.

Alan Bridgman, Chairman (Acting)

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Chairman's Notes

We are coming to the end of another event-packed year. I hope that those of you who attended some of them found them to be worthwhile and enjoyable. If there are particular events that you would like us to organise for you, please let any memmber of the Committee know. We are always looking for new ideas!

I attended the IBM National Club Committee meeting in October. This time, I was pleased to note, there were very few topics that affected the Retiree Clubs. One point to note, however, is that IBM HR do not have any means to check the eligibility of IBM Associate Retiree Members. If you know of any IBM Defined Benefit Pensioners who have retired from IBM after a minimum of 15 years' service, but who have not yet drawn their IBM Pension, please let our Membership Secretary, Dave Compton, know.

I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the Christmas Lunch at Honiley Court on Thursday 16th December.

Alan Bridgman, Chairman (Acting)

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Christmas Lunch 16th December 2010 at Honiley Court -12:15 for 13:00 (organizer Phil Dalton)

With the support of your committee the cost of the Christmas lunch has been kept as the same as last year at an amazing £12.50 per head for members and first guests. There will be the usual welcome drink on arrival and wine at the tables.

Those of you with access to the internet can view details about Honiley Court at……….

http://www.brook-hotels.co.uk/hotels/warwickshire/honiley/honiley-court-hotel/

To book a place, fill in the booking form and mail it with an appropriate cheque - to arrive not later than 26th November. The maximum number dining is 140.

Menu (note *ed items are vegetarian options)

*Leek and Potato Soup served with croutons S1

Salmon Fish Cakes served with sweet chilli sauce and leaves S2

Pork Terrine served with Chutney S3

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Hand carved breast of Turkey, with all the trimmings.... roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables and pan roast gravy M1

Beef Bourguignon in a rich burgundy sauce with glazed button mushrooms, onions and bacon M2

* Veggie Lasagna with salad M3

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* Christmas Pudding with Brandy Cream Sauce P1

* Chocolate Tart with Orange Sorbet P2

Cheese Platter with mature cheddar, stilton, brie, spiced apricot chutney and oatcakes P3

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Tea and Coffee and Mince Pies

To book a place, fill in the booking form and mail it with an appropriate cheque - to arrive not later than 26th November. The maximum number dining is 140.

Directions

From the north, follow A446/A452 south to A4177. Honiley Court Hotel is on the right.

From the Kenilworth direction, follow A446/A452 south to A4177. Honiley Court Hotel is on the right

From the M40 (J15), follow A46 north then A4177. Honiley Court Hotel is on the left

From the Solihull direction, follow the A4141 south to the A4177. Honiley Court Hotel is on the left

Phil Dalton

- Go to Booking Form

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Trip to Arras 28 April 2011 - 2 May 2011 (organiser Brian Wilson)

You will see from our 2011 schedule that we are planning a trip to Arras in Northern France. Because of the lead time we are making a preliminary announcement now to enable you to get the dates in your diaries and also to give you the opportunity of making any comments about the schedule as at this time there is some flexibility.

· Day 1. Travel from IBM Warwick to the 3* Hotel Mercure Atria in Arras for four nights dinner, bed and breakfast.

· Day 2. An included visit to the WW1 underground city built by our Tommies, with time at leisure in Arras.

· Day 3. Day out to Lille.

· Day 4. Battlefield tour. This will not just be to cemeteries but will include sites of interest from WW1.

· Day 5. Return to UK via V2 rocket site at Saint Omer with possible alternatives of the Crystal Arques factory and shop or Saint Omer itself - they are not very far apart and there is time to do this.

The cost for all this will be £399.50 less the subsidy which has not yet been worked out. If you would like to join this trip, please send the booking form together with your deposit of £50 per member and first guest to:-

Brian Wilson, 7 Knightlow Close, KENILWORTH, Warwickshire, CV8 2PX.

Telephone: 01926 777710    Email:- brian_h_wilson@msn.com

We may be able to accommodate second guests at the price of £399.50 - please indicate on your booking form if you would be interested in inviting second guests.

- Go to Booking Form

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Trip to Yorkshire 8 -12 June 2011 (organiser  Dave Compton)

It sometimes becomes necessary to pre-announce some events in order that hotel rooms can be secured. Here are details of a five day (four night) trip to Yorkshire planned for Wednesday 8th to Sunday 12th June 2011. A coach will take us to the Ramada Jarvis Hotel in Wetherby and visits to the following will be included:

The inclusive cost is expected to be around £320 per member, less subsidy when known.

So that we can gauge the level of interest, please send an e-mail to the organiser at dave@compton-family.eu as soon as possible, also indicating if you might be interested in inviting a second guest if there is space. A booking form will accompany the formal announcement of this trip in the January newsletter, with actual costs, at which time a deposit of £50 per person will be also be required.”

Dave Compton

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Members' Adverts

Can you help to solve this Mystery?

Lorna A McDaid, the IBM UK Retiree Administrator, has asked if we can help with this query.  She knows it is a long shot , but then again you never know, there maybe one of our Retirees can help Howard Cadman solve the mystery.  If you can help, please contact Howard at  howard@howardcadman.co.uk .

"Did anyone attend the 1969 Data Processing Exhibition in Manchester ? Or know someone who did? We are pretty sure the Show was led in late Autumn 1969, but cannot, so far, find out the dates and venue ( Manchester Central Library is unable to assist until 2013 due to refurbishment programmes. The Manchester Evening News Database on serves up Theatres when asked about Apollo ).

I am trying to trace the Speaker who described how NASA developed and transmitted revised guidance programs for the Apollo 11 Command/Lunar Modules. These revisions were transmitted after the( Eagle) Lunar Lander had safely landed in the Sea of Tranquility, but before it returned to dock with the Command Module.

He believes that there was a talk by a NASA person at this Manchester Data Processing Show which described how the revisions were executed and transmitted. Does anyone have a report on the talk so that Howard Cadman can know whom to contact, and what was said in 1969?

Kind Regards,

Howard Cadman, Committee - Hawks' Dining Rights Club, Cambridge."

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

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Parking at Bedfont Lakes and Harrow

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