IBM Retirees Club (Midlands)
(www.retireesmidclub.org.uk)
September 2006 Newsletter
Editorial
21 members and guests enjoyed a day out at the Shrewsbury Flower Show. The weather was excellent and there was a stunning array of flowers, plants and some rather impressive vegetables. The M6 even behaved itself, which is a bit unusual these days. Our thanks to John Stanley for his work on this event.
A few days later, 40 members and guests headed up the M6 to visit Edinburgh for the Tattoo. Not just Edinburgh, on our first day after arrival we visited Perth together with the Caithness Glass outlet and also the smallest whiskey distillery in Scotland (called Edradour, located near Pitlochry and well worth a visit should you happen to be in the area). On our second day, we spent the morning at the Falkirk Wheel which has only recently been constructed to connect two canals - very impressive it looks but also fully functional as was proved by our party taking a ride. Finally, to the Tattoo which was spectactular, very well organised and well worth seeing for real.
The only down side to the trip was that we felt that the hotel was not up to expectations - this is being addressed.
Many thanks to Ray for all his hard work in organising an excellent programme of events.
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12th September sees a party of members and guests visiting the National Trust property at Tyntesfield. This promises to be a most interesting day out - report in next Newsletter.
Don't forget our trip to Hook Norton on the 27th October. I am repeating last months announcement as there are still a few places, so get in touch with Simon if you would like to go. For those who are going, don't forget your directions which are attached to this newsletter and can be reached by clicking on 'Go to Directions'. Also in October, we have a party of intrepid travellers setting off across the Bay of Biscay to visit the Rioja region of Spain - hope it keeps fine for you !
Only two more events this year - doesn't time fly. First of these is our Indian meal on 23rd November and you will find a booking form for this further in this Newsletter; secondly there is the annual Christmas lunch on 20th December for which you will see a preliminary announcement later in this Newsletter.
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Brian Wilson, Newsletter Editor. Telephone: 01926-777710 e-mail: brian_h_wilson@msn.com
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2007 Events
First of all, my thanks to all the members who have responded to my email request for assistance in planning our overseas event(s) in 2007. Apart from stating your preferences, the responses have been extremely constructive and much appreciated. If anyone else would like to send me input, by email or otherwise, the Committee have not made a final decision on destinations so would be delighted to hear what you have to say. Since I sent the email, it has become apparent that air travel can be a bit of a pain these days and for certain destinations train travel by Eurostar and similar offers an attractive alternative. For your convenience, I am repeating the contents of the email below.
Looking at the list, you will realise that the cost has not been included - this is not an easy one as it very much depends on:-
Where we go
For how long
Mode of travel, i.e. coach, train, air
Standard of Accommodation
Overall cost
In general, we plan for trips of about 5-7 days long and our current thinking is to use air travel (but see my comment at the beginning of this section) for the longer trips.
So, to the list. What we would like you to do is to select which trips would be of interest (if more than one, please rank in order of preference), make any specific comment on each proposed trip and any general comments. Costs are not too specific - if members show interest in one or more trips then we can cost them more specifially.
Switzerland with Rail Pass This trip would involve flying out to Switzerland and visit some of the more interesting places. The Swiss Rail Pass enables travel around the country at very favourable rates. As you know Switzerland is two different countries in summer and winter - which would members consider to be the best time to visit? Costs variable depending on what the package consists of.
Provence We would travel by Eurostar to Avignon and take in the many interesting places in the area, not least Avignon itself. Apart from coach tours around the area, we could take a river cruise but this would obviously add to the cost - opinions would be welcomed. Base cost £400.
Isle of Man For this trip we would travel by coach using the ferry to Douglas, which means that the coach would be available to take us round the island. The Isle of Man has much of interest; apart from the capital of Douglas there are other towns such as Peel and Port Erin which are worth a visit. And then there is the Manx transport system which offers bus, steam train, electric tram and horse-drawn tram. May or August seem to be the best time to visit - if interested, please indicate preference. Cost would be £250 or so.
Holland This would also be a coach trip. The Committee thought Spring would be a good time for a visit as there would then be the opportunity to visit the bulb fields. This doesn't preclude other times of the year so please let us have your comments as to when and whereabouts. Cost £260 or so
Norwegian Fjords We would travel to port of departure by own car, and then board the cruise boat for the cruise along the fjords. Cost is likely in the region of £800 per person but the fjords are very spectacular. Best time is June.
Orkney Orkney has a lot to interest those of you with an interest in things dating back to pre-history. The scenery is pretty spectacular, too. We would use the train to take us to and from Scotland with the ferry across to Orkney, then use of a 24-seater coach whilst we were there. Cost around £570.
Vienna Fly out to Vienna and enjoy the sights and sounds. A typical trip would cost £320 for four days and enable you to take in a Strauss concert amongst other things. Vienna has an excellent Metro and tram system so getting about is no problem. Don't forget the Third Man wheel as featured in the film of the same name.
Munich Beer Festival You don't have to be a beer drinker to enjoy Munich (but perhaps it helps). The festival occurs later in the year and we would fly out to enjoy, as well as the beer, the many other sights in this famous city. Cost around £360. As an alternative, we did think that we could go to the Christmas market - let us know if this would interest you.
Brian Wilson Telephone 01926 777710 Email brian_h_wilson@msn.com
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Visit to Hook Norton Brewery Friday 27th October 2006 (organiser Simon Barratt)
We are visiting this well-known brewery during the morning and this will be followed by lunch at The Gate Hangs High. Please assemble at the brewery no later then 10:15 as we are booked on a tour which will take in the processes we will no doubt have an opportunity to check out the product at some point.
As an appendix to this newsletter, you will find directions to/from the brewery and our lunch venue.
Lunch at The Gate Hangs High:
To start, choose from:- Soup OR Pate
To follow, choose from:- Chicken with Lemon Butter OR Steak and (Hooky) Ale Pie
Puddings from the Board at extra cost
Coffee £1.30 extra
Please indicate your preferences for the two courses on the booking form and submit £10 each for Member and First Guest by 9 September 2006.
Simon Barratt Telephone:- 01608 661996 with any queries.
Any problems on the day, ring Simon on 07837 051289
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Indian Feast - Thursday 23 November 2006 (organiser Barry Wiggins)
You have enjoyed the Chinese Banquets in Leamington, now is a chance to dine out in Kenilworth, gastronomic centre of Warwickshire. The Indian Edge in Warwick Road is a new contemporary pan-Asian restaurant specialising in innovative and traditional Indian cuisine. The Indian Feast will offer a chance to try a wide range of starters, main courses, side dishes and accompaniments. Wine may not be appropriate but a glass or two of Kingfisher might help the evening along.
I have reserved the upper floor of the restaurant (views over Kenilworth), but places are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment. The cost for members and first guest will be £12.00, second guests £20.00. Parking in Kenilworth in the evening is easy and the Indian Edge is a few doors from Sainsbury's and the Bear and Ragged Staff pub. I have booked for 7.30pm
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Christmas Lunch - 20th December 2006 - organiser Tony Mancell
Preliminary announcement
This years Christmas lunch will be on Wednesday 20th December 2006. We have reserved Morton Hall, Morton Morrell, Warwickshire for this year’s lunch.
You can view the Hall at their website Moreton Hall. Set in the beautiful scenery of the 750 acres of Warwickshire College’s Moreton Morrell campus, this magnificent Edwardian manor is the ideal setting for our Christmas luncheon.
The meal will be a ‘silver service’ three course menu followed by coffee and mince pies, with drinks on arrival and wine on the table. We have also arranged for a choir of Carol Singers to ensure we have a complete traditional Christmas Lunch!
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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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Newsletter Links
Links to Booking Forms by individual events
Click here to see 2006 Diary Click here for Committee Contact List
Click here for General Notes About Events Click here for 2006 AGM Minutes
Click here for Archived Newsletters Click here for Membership Information
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