The IBM Retired Employee Club (South Hants)
www.shrets.co.uk

The IBM Retired Employee Club
(South Hants) Newsletter

March/April 2011

The Annual General Meeting

The AGM was very well attended, the speaker was excellent and the meal seemed to go down very well. The existing committee was re-elected including two new volunteers; a warm welcome to our two newest committee members, Dave Whitbourne and Paul Nol and a sad goodbye to Richard Swaine and many thanks for all his past hard work. Paul will be taking over the Newsletter from Roger Hiscock and backing up Ann on the website and Dave will be getting to grips with organising new trips.

Modifications to the 2011 Programme

Just to remind you, the 2011 Programme has changed and the latest version can always be found on the website. Calendar page.

Coach Seating Arrangements

Could we ask that, as we allow you to leave coats, bags etc on the coach whilst you are out and about, to please return to the seats you originally occupied on the outward journey to avoid any problems

Forthcoming trips

Bristol & SS Great Britain

A chance to visit Bristol, a city of bridges and many other interesting features, with a part coach, part walking tour with an experienced Blue Badge guide. A chance for lunch, then on to visit the SS Great Britain to see the ship appear to float in dry dock and descend under the dry glass ‘sea’ ,before returning home. There is quite bit of walking so not a trip for those with walking problems, also the entrance for the SS Great Britain has been priced for Senior Citizens.

London Day Out

A repeat performance of a well tried and tested formula – a coach to London, dropping off in Park Lane. This allows a day’s unfettered shopping, a museum visit or just taking in the tourist sites. As this is election day, the trip timings should allow you plenty of time to vote

Grease

The No.1 Greatest Musical, GREASE, is back in Southampton for just two weeks only!
Dust off your leather jackets, pull on your bobby-socks and get ready for the most fun-filled, high octane Rock'n'Roll party of the year.
It's the original High-School musical, featuring all the unforgettable songs from the hit movie including You're The One That I Want, Grease Is The Word, Summer Nights, Hopelessly Devoted To You, Sandy, Greased Lightnin' and many more.
So come and join Danny and Sandy along with those groovy T-Birds, sassy Pink Ladies and the whole gang at Rydell High - IT'S THE MOST ELECTRIFYIN’ EXTRAVAGANZA on stage!!..

Bluebell Railway

The Bluebell Line is a heritage steam railway located in the heart of the Sussex countryside. The operational line runs from Sheffield Park to Kingscote and the round trip takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.

We are planning to have a dedicated coach or (if we can get enough people coming) our own dedicated train. Lunch (a single course – drinks and extras at your own expense) is included in the price of this trip and can be taken in the station restaurant either before or after your train trip.

Hopefully the bluebells will be in full bloom providing a spectacular sight over sections of the line.

The engine sheds at Sheffield Park are open to the public, and if a volunteer is available they are normally to provide a guided tour (but this is not guaranteed). However there is normally someone around who is competent to field all but the most obscure of questions.

The associated museum is currently being refurbished but may possibly be open in time for our visit.

The National Trust Sheffield Park Gardens are just one mile from the station and provides 120 acres of garden, peaceful walks, and lakes originating from the 18th century and was created with the assistance of Capability Brown.
The coach journey is approximately 62 miles and being across country will probably take around 1 hour 30 minutes.