IBM RETIREES CLUB (Midlands)
(www.retireesmidclub.org.uk)
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September 2005 Newsletter
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Editorial
Firstly, very many thanks are due to John Smith for his efforts in arranging the Rhine in Flames trip. We certainly had our fill of fireworks - after the spectacle on the Rhine, we were treated to another display in Ypres market square which certainly went off with a bang (!!). Your Committee have asked John to pass on our thanks to Group Travel who certainly did their bit to make a very successful six days.
We have a couple of tickets left for Gilbert and Sullivan's 'Mikado' in Malvern on 5th October. If you would like to go please contact Terry King immediately to be sure of a place. If you cannot stay for the meal please let Terry know and he may be able to arrange for you to attend the performance only. Terry can be contacted on 01327-260132 or email: terryaking@hotmail.com
Sadly, we had to cancel the trip into cider country due to lack of response. However, it has been possible to arrange a repeat of the trip we did to the Three Choirs vineyard at Newent last year; this proved very popular and we had been asked for a repeat. See the announcement later in this Newsletter for details but please make sure you get your booking form to Rick as soon as possible as we are limited to 20 places in the private dining room.
You will find a request from John Smith later in this Newsletter for the final payment for our trip to the Christmas markets in Prague. I haven't done a booking form for this as I think John will be able to make the connection between the amount on the cheque and the name.
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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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Brian Wilson, Editor. Telephone: 01926-777710 e-mail: brian_h_wilson@msn.com
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Visit to Three Choirs Vineyard - Wednesday 26th October 2005 (organiser Rick Paslawski)
As a replacement for the Cider Trail event which has been cancelled due to a low level of interest from the membership, a trip has been organised to the Three Choirs Vineyard located just outside Newent, Gloucestershire.
We will meet up at the vineyard in time for an 11.00 tour of the winery during which we will be offered a tasting of some of their production. Following this short tour time will be available for a wander amongst the vineyards, after which we will adjourn to the private dining room at 12.30 for another tasting before lunch.
The food at the restaurant is excellent and members can choose either a two or a three course lunch from the menu selection below. The lunch will be accompanied with a glass of premium selection white wine, and finished with cafetiere coffee.
The price for this event with a two course lunch is £13 for members and first guest, and £25 for additional guests. For a three course lunch the cost is £15.50 for members and first guest, and £30 for additional guests. If you are opting for the 2 course option, you can have either Starter/Main or Main/Dessert.
The menu selection is as follows:-
Starters
Freshly made Soup of the Day
Smoked Mackerel with fresh Beetroot Salad
Assiette of Melon Pearls with Champagne Sorbet
Charcuterie of Parma Ham and Salami
Main
Grilled Corn-fed Chicken Supreme, Port and Stilton Sauce
Seared Salmon Escalope , White Wine and Cheese Fondue
Grilled Goats Cheese, Fennel and Pepper Confit
Rump Steak, Red Wine Jus
Dessert
Chocolate and Gran Marnier Mousse
Banana Pavlova
Sticky Toffee Pudding
Selection of British Cheeses
As we have arranged to use the private dining room, places are limited and early booking is advisable. Please send your booking form together with a cheque for the appropriate amount to the organiser:-
Rick Paslawski, 4A Alderbrook Road, Solihull, West Midlands, B91 1NH
Telephone 0121 705 7719 Email rickpaslawski@tesco.net
Directions
The venue is located on the B4125 two miles north of Newent. It is within an hours drive of Birmingham, just 15 minutes from J11a on the M5 and less than 10 minutes from J3 on the M50. At J3 take the B4221 towards Newent. At the junction with the B4125 turn left and the vineyard entrance is on the right after about a mile.
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Prague Xmas Market 7-10th December 2005 (organiser John Smith)
It's now the painful time to pay the balance for the Prague Xmas break. The cut off date is 28th Sept 2005. Please send a cheque for yourself and guests as detailed below.
Member or 1st guest each..................£170
Second guest each..............................£206.50
Details of the hotel, included tours and flight tickets will be distributed when received from Travelsphere approximately 2-3 weeks before we travel.
Send cheque made out to IBM Retirees Club (Midlands) to:-
John Smith, 105 Thorns Avenue, Quarry Bank, West Midlands, DY5 2XW. Telephone:- 01384-860882
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Photographic Competition
Those of you who went on the Northumberland trip at the beginning of June will remember that Tony Mancell organised a competition for the best photograph.
We now have the results. Ray Castle was the judge and his comments were:
"We had a superb entry of 62 prints all of which captured colourful images 'of our trip to the northeast'. I judged the entery taking into account composition, quality, and of course the overall theme for the competition.
Without a clear overall winner I awarded three Highly Commended prizes to Simon Barratt, Colin Johnson and Tony Mancell, each of whom should by now have received a book token as a small reward for their efforts".
Thank you to all who participated.
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