October 2007 Newsletter

IBM Retirees Club (Midlands)

(www.retireesmidclub.org.uk)

October 2007 Newsletter

Editorial

A good day out was had by the 25 members and guests who attended our day at Chatsworth. Plenty to see and do, made very pleasant by the favourable weather. Our thanks to Barry for organising this one.

This month sees a party visiting Bletchley Park, famous for the work on Enigma during World War 2. There is plenty of technical interest and should be something for everyone.

Our Thai banquet on 15th November has a few places available. Phil Dalton has negotiated a vegetarian option - please note that I have updated the booking form and menu to reflect this.

Later in this Newsletter you will find details and a booking form for the Christmas Lunch. We will be announcing the programme of events for 2008 at the lunch although there might be a sneak preview in the December Newsletter.

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You will see immediately following this editorial a position statement from Ken Hope regarding the proposed merger of the IBM Retiree Clubs with the IBM Clubs. As your Committee were not themselves sure as to what exactly was going on, we have delayed making any statements. However, we feel it right to pass on what information we have so please read Ken's piece and be assured that your Committee will be working for the most satisfactory outcome.

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

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HR Proposal to change the structure of the IBM Clubs and the IBM Retirees' Clubs

Some of you who were sent the minutes of the 7 July National IBM Club Meeting in error in September may have seen the item in which IBM UK HR announced that all six Retirees' Clubs would be combined with their local IBM Clubs. I first heard of this when I received a letter from IBM UK HR in early September. Your committee recognised that there are many potential problems with the proposed change which could affect such things as the size of the grant available to us, the freedom to run events suitable for retired people and the amount of work involved in organising events etc. The Chairpersons of South Hampshire, London and Manchester Retirees' Clubs all feel the same as us about this.

I have explained some of these problems to the Director of HR and have asked for an opportunity for a rational discussion of any changes. He has now agreed to set up such a meeting with myself and the Chairpersons of the other 5 Retiree Clubs. Therefore there are to be no changes for the immediate present and we will do our best to ensure that if there are any in the future they will not alter the basic offerings of our Retirees' Club or the way we work.

I will keep you informed.

Ken Hope, Chairman.

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

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Thai Banquet - Thursday November 15th (organiser Phil Dalton)

There are still a few places at the Thai Banquet to be held at the Thai Boathouse, Swans Nest Lane, Stratford-on-Avon. Meet at 19:30 for a 20:00 start. The menu and directions are attached.

Cost is £19.95 for Retiree Club Members and first guests which includes the meal, at least 1/2 a bottle of wine and tea or coffee. Please note that we have negotiated a vegetarian option for members and first guests at £17.75 per person.

Bookings should be sent to Phil Dalton, Tanglewood, 22 Warwick Road, Wellesbourne, Warwick, CV35 9LX and will be acknowledged by email unless an SAE is included.

- Go to Booking Form

- Go to Directions

- Go to Menu

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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

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Newsletter Links

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