IBM Retirees Club (Midlands)
(www.retireesmidclub.org.uk)
September 2010 Newsletter
Editorial
Our trip to Constable Country attracted 35 members and guests and because the weather behaved itself - for most of the time anyway - we were able to take in the attractive countryside and towns in that part of the world. The only criticism seemed to be that we could have done with a bit more time! Many thanks to Alan Palmer for a well organised visit.
25 members and guests took a coach to Highgrove on 20th August to see what Prince Charles gets up to in his spare time. Lots of security with cameras following our every move but it proved a most interesting visit. We stopped in Tetbury for a short while and found it a very attractive village. Thanks to Carole Robertson for her efforts in arranging this outing - for those of you who haven't been yet, Carole is hoping to arrange another visit in 2011. Interested members may like to know that there is a programme on BBC2 on Thursday 23rd September at 8:00 pm where Alan Titchmarsh interviews Prince Charles at Highgrove.
Sunday Lunch on the Shakespeare Express is always a pleasant experience and the 22nd of August was no exception. Starting at Stratford, we were pulled by an impressive steam locomotive to Birmingham Snow Hill, taking a different route out and back. If you like eating on a train, this is recommended - another one in the locality worth trying is lunch on the Severn Valley Railway.
The status of current events is as follows:-
25 September - Visit to Shuttleworth Collection. Details and booking form in July Newsletter.
21 October - Day Trip to Lincoln. Details and booking form in July Newsletter. Please note that deadline has been extended to mid-September,
26 October - Visit to Bletchley Park. A few places available; see note later in Newsletter.
24-29 October - Rioja Trip. Details in July Newsletter.
11 November - Skittles at Snitterfield. Announcement and booking form in this Newsletter; please note the cutoff date of 22nd October.
28 November - Birmingham Military Tattoo. Announcement and booking form in this Newsletter
--------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------
Brian Wilson, Newsletter Editor. Telephone: 01926-777710 e-mail: brian_h_wilson@msn.com
**********************************************************************
Chairman's Jottings
The recent period has been a busy one for the committee. Firstly 3 new events (Shakespeare Express, Bletchley Park and a Skittles Evening) were added to the 2010 programme. We could do that because we were far enough into the year to know that the subsidies for those trips are affordable thanks to Phil, our treasurer, keeping a close watch on expenditure and because the trip organisers volunteered to run them. I've often said the trips are no good without participants; they wouldn't even take place without the organisers. I extend my thanks to them.
Secondly, we held our annual planning meeting in mid-August. Around 45 possibles were proposed; about 6 of them by members. With the help of Marlise Cohen and Babs Hewitt, who joined in to help us understand better what interests the general membership (particularly of the female variety), we voted in 17 events. We are now finalizing dates, organisers and costs so that, together with the Spring, Summer and Christmas lunches, we will be able to announce the plan, hopefully, before year end. A lot of "sweat" goes into the process; I trust you appreciate that as much as I do.
I can't end these jottings without mentioning the Christmas Lunch. It's on 16 December and we are returning to the Honiley Court. The announcement and booking form will be in the October Newsletter.
Alan Palmer
**********************************************************************
26 October - Visit to Bletchley Park
We have not had a big takeup for the proposed coach option so it means that this will be a 'drive yourself' trip. As a reminder, please note the following:-
Follow the directions on the Bletchley Park web site to the Mansion. Tell Bletchley Park security that you are with the IBM Retirees party, and they will direct you to the car park. From there Bletchley Park Customer Service directs us to the meeting room where we meet our guide. We will be served coffee and biscuits at 10:30 in time for the start of the tour at 11:00 and the day is planned to finish at 16:00. You should aim to arrive no later than 10:20, which will give time to park and walk across to the Mansion.
The Bletchley Park website http://www.bletchleypark.org.uk gives more details of what is available.
Brian Wilson Telephone:- 01926 777710 Email brian_h_wilson@msn.com
**********************************************************************
Skittles Evening at Snitterfield - 11th November 2010 (organiser David Dagley)
A skittles evening has been organised to take place at Snitterfield Sports Club for the evening of Thursday 11th November 2010.
This will be a 'self drive' event with a 19:30 meet and a 20:00 start time.
A hot buffet will be provided that will suit both carnivores and vegetarians together with prizes for the evening's winners (to be decided).
Costs for the evening will be £5.00 per head for member (including a drinks voucher) and first guest. £11.50 for subsequent guests.
Maximum number of participants will be thirty; ladies should not bowl in high heels.
David Dagley Email:- david.dagley@lineone.net
*********************************************************************************************************************************************
Members' Advertisements
(click here for Terms and Conditions)
--------------------------------------------------
IBM Retail Reunion
There will be a reunion for those IBMers who worked on major Retail customer accounts in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. If you fit that category please join your fellow IBM Retailers at the Archduke Wine Bar, South Bank, London on Thursday 11th November 2010. The event will start at 12noon and last until throwing out time. Organised by Peter Lawson (polawson@gmail.com) and Alan Bridgman (abri@waitrose.com) - please contact them if you need more information.
**********************************************************************
Click on the links below for specific information. Links to booking forms are from the event announcement.
2010 Diary General Notes about Events Photographs from Past Events
IBM Midlands Retiree Club Constitution Committee Contacts AGM Minutes
Newsletter Archives Newsletter Production
PC and Technology Group (Founded by Harry Green) IBM Club Warwick
IBM Pensions Trust IBM Alumni Programme