Midlands IBM Retirees Club - September 2026 Newsletter
In this newsletter we have information about a ramble with lunch in the Cotswolds
and a visit to Westonbirt Arboretum to see the Autumn colours, both in October.
If you are interested in either of these trips, please contact the organiser as soon as possible.
At the recent AGM, the membership secretary was asked about the number of members:
the response was '148 with no changes since the previous year'.
This raised the question of how could the membership count be updated if, for example,
a member died and no friend or relative informed the membership secretary?
One possible solution is to use the Google Inactive Account Manager by going to https://myaccount.google.com/inactive/contact/1
(See this document).
One recipient could be MircMem@gmail.com (Midlands IBM Retirees Club Membership)
which has been specially set up to receive personal messages from the Inactive Account Manager
and forward them to the current membership secretary.
Please note that MircMem will not answer any emails sent to it - it will only forward them to the current membership secretary.
See below for information about Transport to and from club events
Michael Fabianski, Newsletter Editor. E-mail:
ibmmidretnews@gmail.com
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Local theatres
If you are interested in local theatre productions, you might find the following links useful.
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Transport to and from club events
We are aware that many members may find it difficult to get to club events.
This may be for several different reasons, such as:
- Not having a car.
- Not liking driving at night.
- Public transport not available to get to the venue.
- Having difficulty walking.
etc.
If this applies to you and you would like to attend an event,
please let the event organiser know and they will endeavour to arrange a lift from another member attending.
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Photographs from Past Events.
Click on one of the links below to view a selection of photographs from past events.
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Events
The following events are currently proposed for 2026:
- E2610RAM
- Wednesday 14 OctoberCotswolds Ramble and Lunch.
See below
- E2610ARB
- Wednesday 28 OctoberAutumn Visit to Westonbirt Arboretum.
See below
- E2612XML
- DecemberChristmas Lunch at Three Horse Shoes, Bubbenhall.
Photographs from Past Events.
Click on one of the links below to view a selection of photographs from past events.
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A walk Is planned for Wednesday 14th October in the Cotswolds from Buckland to Snowshill with lunch at The Snowshill Arms.
Start in Buckland off B4632 SW of Broadway for 4 miles to Snowshill much on The Cotswold Way with return about 3 miles.
Remember - the Cotswolds are hilly.
OS Explorer map OL45, The Cotswolds.
Options are available. If you would like to discuss, let me know.
These might be walking one of the 3 or 4 mile routes by getting together with A.N.Other and having a car at each location.
Arranging your own walk.
Snowshill has a manor with gardens.
Broadway and Chipping Campden are both touristy towns for sightseeing and a cafe stop.
Coming just to the lunch is acceptable.
As the pub gets busy I will need to know numbers for lunch so that I can book.
There is a good range of food available and I am hoping that we will not need to pre-order.
I will aim to book lunch for 1:00pm.
If you intend walking the 4 miles before lunch with us, let me know.
I expect to leave Buckland no later than 11:00am. Start point 079362, parking on side of road.
If you need a lift, let me know where from and I will circulate to other attendees.
Please reply to Terry King NO LATER THAN 30th SEPTEMBER,
terryaking@hotmail.com.
We have been visiting Batsford Arboretum for the past few years,
so this year we thought we would go further afield to explore the Westonbirt Arboretum near Tetbury (GL8 8QS).
This is now one of the most mature and extraordinary arboretums to be found anywhere in the world.
The pre-booking price is £17.10 per person for group bookings of more than 10 people.
This will be a self-drive event and it takes about 1 hour 30 minutes to drive to Westonbirt from Warwick.
The plan is to meet there at around 11:00am
and to first have a coffee/tea before arranging group walks around the arboretum.
If you would like to come but do not have your own transport,
we may be able to arrange for members to pick you up if you live locally in the Warwick, Leamington and Stratford areas.
We will endeavour to arrange this for you.
After touring the arboretum we can have lunch together in their restaurant.
Please confirm by email or phone if you wish to be included. Ray will arrange purchase of the entry tickets.
ray.chris.bradshaw@gmail.com
Mobile: 07979 302793
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Sub-Groups of Retirees Club and Employee Club
Rambling
It is hoped to organise occasional rambles with options so that participants can choose a length of walk to suit them.
Please contact Terry King, terryaking@hotmail.com
for more information.
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IBM Retirees Technology Group
The IBM Tech Club is a place where you can talk to IBM folk about matters technical.
For example, help or advice on buying or using computers, smart phones,touch pads; engineering,
electronics, wifi, bluetooth, cryptography, bitcoin, using computers to making movies, songs or musical works,
best software, streaming, the internet, photography, diy, and anything else about the modern world you would like to understand better.
Apart from the technical discussion we try to have a talk by a club member at each meeting.
This depends very much on members volunteering to prepare and show something they are interested in.
Meetings will take place on an ad hoc basis as and when we have members who have a topic to discuss,
so please get your suggestions in to John Rickman!
On the day of the meeting click on the link below.
It should take you straight into the meeting.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88338135221?pwd=eFYyUTdKZjRUSlR4V0RqZmFYMmlCQT09
Meeting ID: 883 3813 5221
Passcode: 395710
If you need help with Zoom contact John Rickman
(rickman@argonet.co.uk)
in good time before the meeting.
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Members’ Notices
We all know Midlands Retirees who are undertaking a range of activities to raise money for good causes.
The Committee have therefore decided to offer this space to advertise such initiatives
and other events which may be of interest.
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Inactive Accounts
At the recent AGM, the membership secretary was asked about the number of members:
the response was '148 with no changes since the previous year'.
This raised the question of how could the membership count be updated if, for example,
a member died and no friend or relative informed the membership secretary?
One possible solution is to use the Google Inactive Account Manager by going to https://myaccount.google.com/inactive/contact/1
(See this document).
One recipient could be MircMem@gmail.com (Midlands IBM Retirees Club Membership)
which has been specially set up to receive personal messages from the Inactive Account Manager
and forward them to the current membership secretary.
Please note that MircMem will not answer any emails sent to it - it will only forward them to the current membership secretary.
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