I am pleased to announce that this year’s Spring Lunch will be held in a very special place — The Leamington Tennis Court Club. This is not a normal tennis club — it’s the world’s oldest real tennis club. It was formed in 1844 and the court was built in 1846. Real tennis is rather different to lawn tennis and has somewhat complicated and archaic rules, many of which were allegedly created by Henry VIII to compensate for his increasing lack of mobility.

The building, which is in Bedford Street, Leamington Spa, is rather nondescript on the outside, and belies its interior. Our lunch will be held in the club’s bar, and we are promised that an actual match will be played in the adjoining court whilst we are enjoying our welcome drinks.

I have booked Jonathon Partridge as our guest speaker who will tell us about the history of Jaguar Motor Cars.

The price for this event, which includes a welcome drink, 3 course lunch, and rounded off with tea/coffee, is dependent on the IBM subsidy which has again been reduced, and is £30.00 for members/first guest, and £42.50 for any subsequent guests. Unlike previous years, wine or drinks with the meal is not included, but a £5.00 voucher will be issued to each guest as a contribution to drinks of your choice. Rather good wines, ranging from £16.95 a bottle upwards, can be purchased from the bar, and I have arranged corkage charge of £5.00 a bottle should you wish to bring your own.

Although the club doesn’t have its own carpark there are several public ones within easy walking distance. There is one right next door and another just round the corner.

Bedford Street is one-way northbound and is parallel to The Parade, and the club is immediately behind the Benjamin Satchwell pub in The Parade.

Please make your menu choices from the following menu.

We have decided this year to go to Pembrokeshire, a part of Wales which has a wide variety of countryside and attractions. We are using the services of Group Travel again and we are booked into the 3* Fourcroft Hotel in Tenby. On the cliffs above Tenby's sheltered, sunny North Beach, Fourcroft looks spectacularly over the old fishing harbour and across Carmarthen Bay.

Itinerary
The sightseeing itinerary will hopefully include some or all of the following:-

• The Harbour Town and seaside resort of Tenby
• A visit to Pembroke and Pembroke Castle (birthplace of Henry VII)
• A trip along the coast from St Davids to Cardigan
• Visit to Cwm Deri vineyard

Provisional cost
Depending on the number of people who wish to go on this trip and the size of the IBM grant (which we do not know yet!), the approximate cost for members and first guests will be £399; and £450 for 2nd guests. This cost includes 4 nights half-board accommodation (DBB), executive coach travel to & from IBM Warwick and for excursions during the trip.

Finally…
If anyone has any further suggestions for sightseeing trips, please let me know. (no promises, mind you!!) and I will do my best to include them in the final itinerary.

Alan Bridgman
Sightseeing Organiser

I am pleased to announce a very different type of event. Pete’s Place is a beautiful 20 acre private park with a lake, a small wood, and a ride-on miniature railway. There is an “African Queen” type of steam boat giving rides around the lake and the small island. The miniature railway is almost a mile long and is considered to be one of the best private ones in the country. All rides are totally free. Pete, the owner, provides all this totally free of charge; all the Retirees Club asks is that you make a donation of £10 per car to Pete’s favourite charity — the Air Ambulance. There is ample parking for all cars, and donations will be collected as you pass through the gate. This event is not restricted to Retiree Club members — tell your friends and the rest of your family, get as many people as you like in your car, it’s still only £10 per car.