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

The IBM Retired Employee Club
(South Hants) Newsletter

October 2011

Wait Lists for Trips:

Following publication and early use of our new booking process for events in which we have ceased to operate a waiting list, we have received some comments and have reviewed them at our recent committee meeting.
We have concluded that we will continue with the new process which considerably simplifies the administration of bookings and that we will continue to publish any vacancies that may arise from cancellations on the website as and when they occur. For those members without web access they may telephone the organiser prior to the trip to ascertain whether any vacancies have arisen.
We hope that this answers any queries that you may have.

Toilet Stops:

Please note, unless otherwise notified on the trip description, excursions into central London will stop for a toilet/coffee break at Guildford Cathedral. In order for us to be allowed to make use of the facilities, the Cathedral expects coach passengers to use the cafeteria.

Drop Off Points:

Can we please remind travellers that we will not stop to drop people off at any interim locations other than the agreed start and end points for the trips. Travellers should address any questions to the Committee member running the trip, not directly to the coach driver.

Booking Forms:

Recently, we have had a spate of incomplete forms and cheques for trips. Please ensure that you read the instructions for the specific trip, complete the form as requested, sign the form and enclose a fully completed cheque with a self adhesive, self addressed and stamped envelope. Failure to do this may result in you not getting a place on the trip.

Forthcoming Trips

Skittles Evening

Cancelled due to lack of interest.

Westfield Shopping Centre

This is a trip to the Westfield Shopping Centre in White City/Shepherds Bush.

The centre opened on 30 October 2008 and has around 255 stores, including All Saints, Apple, Bershka, Boots, Bose, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Coast, Debenhams, Dorothy Perkins, Dwell, Early Learning Centre, Ernest Jones, French Connection, Geox, Gerry Weber, Habitat, Hackett, HMV, Hollister Co., House of Fraser, H.Samuel, Jaeger, Kurt Geiger, LEGO, Mamas & Papas, Mango, Marks & Spencer, Mulberry, Next, Nomination, Reiss, River Island, Topshop, Uniqlo, Waitrose and Zara.

Further details can be found on their website: http://uk.westfield.com/london
This trip will not stop at Guildford on the outgoing leg.

C & V Christmas Cruise, Lights and Supper

Come and board our comfortable and warm private charter boat at The Old Millennium Dome, now known as The 02. There are proper flush loos on board and you can buy hot and cold drinks as soon as you board both before we sail and throughout the 90-minute cruise. Inside The London Rose it’s warm and cosy with everyone guaranteed a choice of seats with terrific views in one of two saloons and the prospect of a hot chocolate or a Whisky Mac from the fully licensed bar. There’s plenty of room to move around and a huge open deck. Wherever you choose to settle one thing is for sure your folk will really enjoy the quality and content of the commentary, a mix of historical information and Cockney Waterman’s humour that brings groups back year after year. We have worked with the Campion family for twenty years and now they are one of the very few London families whose ancestors worked in the Port and docks and who still operate their own boats on the River Thames.
We set off at as the sun sets and as we pass historic Greenwich it is fully dark and you’ll see the green laser marking the Prime Meridian projecting from the Old Royal Observatory and cutting through the sky above us. The London Docklands are a breath taking sight at night, a blaze of colour and light, our own mini Manhattan. It is a wonderful thing to sail beneath a flood lit Tower Bridge, quite stunning! Now we are in the Upper Pool of the Port of London passing the Tower of London, HMS Belfast and approaching London Bridge. The City of London owes its very existence to this majestic river, you’ll see The Monument and St. Paul’s Cathedral and then on to Bankside with Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and the massive Tate Modern art gallery housed in the old power station. It just gets better and better as we approach the West End and the warm golden tones of the Palace of Westminster where on many evenings in the run up to Christmas you’ll see our hard working MPs “networking” in the Commons bar on the riverside.
After 90 minutes cruising we step ashore beneath the London Eye.
Next, the coach tour: London is a dandy at night - few cities can rival our vibrant history, exhilarating stories and anecdotes. Floodlit, London is stunning – a magical display of colour and a visit at Christmas time is full of nostalgia, rekindling the excitement of Christmas past and is guaranteed to put a smile on even the most grown up of faces. On our special coach tour of the London Christmas Lights & Sights we show you all the major sights in both the City and the West End, taking you off the beaten track to see buildings that add to the beauty of Christmas London. We’ll show you the Christmas Lights in the shopping streets and, as ever, our Guides will have made a detailed survey of all the windows to pick out the very best for your tour. But it’s not just about the shopping streets any more as many buildings in London are now beautifully illuminated at night as are the Thames Bridges.

he coach tour lasts for two hours and we round off an enjoyable evening with a tasty pub supper of fish & chips, chicken & chips or a vegetarian option at an attractive City pub.

Christmas Lunch (closing date extended)

Yes it’s that time again!
This year the venue for the annual Club Christmas lunches will be held at the Langstone Hotel on the North of Hayling Island. We have booked the hotel for four days. As it is something of an organisational nightmare we want to get arrangements underway well in advance this year and we are asking you to return your booking forms no later than the 11th November. However please note that you will not receive your confirmation until end November.
As usual, there will be a Christmas prize draw.

Lunch will be 12.00 for 12.30.

You will be able to choose your meal on the day from the following menu.

Menu

Glass of Wine

Cream of Mushroom Soup with Croutons

or

Roast Vine Tomato Soup, Basil Oil

Turkey

or

Seared Salmon, Brioche and Herb Crust, Sause Vierge

or

Blue Cheese, Broccoli Tart with Herb Salad

Christmas Pudding with Brandy Sauce

or

Fruit Salad

Tea/Coffee and Mince Pies

.