Portsmouth IVC

Jim (the webmaster) is planning to run one or two workshops on how to post to this website. If you are interested in finding out how you can contribute, then please drop him an email, use the contact form on the homepage or see him at a clubnight.

In the meantime check out the FAQ link at the top of the page.

Sorry if you keep seeing posting appear and vanish on the website – I’m just trying to sort out our new connection to Twitter.

Yes, Portsmouth IVC has an account on twitter now.  Hopefully any new posts to the website should get tweeted by @portsmouthivc so click on the button on the right and start following us.

Looks like I need to talk to our webhosting provider as this website cannot login to twitter.  Bear with us.

Due to the dangerous road conditions, tonight’s (6/1/2010) club night has been cancelled.

Hope to see you next week.

The committee is toying with the idea of having a presence on one or more of the social networking sites. We could for instance have the website send tweets whenever a new post is made to the website, or have a group on linked-in or facebook.

So the first thing to establish is:

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In a blatant effort to get members to post things on the website and hence show the world what a fun and vibrant club this is I am going to award some prizes at the AGM.

There will be two categories:

• Best article posted to this website – have you been to an event and do you want to show the world what they missed by not being a member? Do a write-up and tell them.
• Best picture of members enjoying themselves at an event.  This could be a picture in an article on the website, a picture in our photo gallery, or on activity exchange.

Rules (you’ve got to have rules)

1. The intention of the competition is to increase the amount of material on the website that portrays the club as a fun club that people will want to join and demonstrate the sorts of activities we get up to. Articles / photos will be judged against those criteria not on their technical merits.
2. Only articles posted and photos uploaded between 1st December 2009 and 31st January will be considered.
3. A member may post as many articles / pictures as they like, all articles posted / pictures uploaded during the period will be entered into the competition (the more you write the more chances you have of winning)
4. Any articles / photos that are offensive / derogatory to the club will be removed.
5. One prize in each category will be awarded at the AGM
6. The webmaster’s decision is final.

See me (or leave a comment) if you have any questions

AIVC have notified us of the following events organised by other IVCs.  Please see Ed for contact details of the orgnisers if you are interested in going (phone numbers and email addresses have been removed to prevent spam).

Friday 4th Dec 2009
Bremen Christmas Market weekend – Friday 4th – Sunday 6th December
Join Kate and London IVC on a weekend trip to one of the delightful Christmas markets in Germany. We will be visiting Bremen’s atmospheric Christmas market which is considered to be one of the most attractive in Germany.

“There are more than 160 Christmas stalls, wonderfully romantic and beautifully decorated, assembled right in front of the 600-year-old town hall, now a UNESCO World Heritage site, on the historical market square and in the shopping arcades. The atmosphere is further enhanced by the delicious aromas of freshly roasted almonds, hot chestnuts, grilled sausages, gingerbread and glühwein.” (www.german-christmas-market.org.uk)

We will be flying Ryanair from London Stansted, returning on Sunday late afternoon and staying at the Townsend Hostel which is within walking distance of the Old Town and offers a choice of twin and 4-bed private rooms.

Cost of flight is approximately £65 (excluding checked-in baggage charge) and two nights accommodation approximately £40.

For more information and to book please contact Kate on k_cottingham@tiscali.co.uk or telephone 07989 279651.

For more information on Bremen and its Christmas market please see

http://www.germany-christmas-market.org.uk/bremen_christmas_market.htm

http://www.bremen-tourism.de/english/bremen.cfm?flash=true
Place: Bremen, Germany
Club: London IVC
Organiser: Kate Cottingham
Saturday 12th Dec 2009
Essex Christmas Dinner Dance
You are welcome to come to Essex IVC’s Christmas dinner and dance in Chelmsford which includes a three course meal with multiple choices followed by a disco until midnight.

Cost £35. Booking by 27th November.
Place: Essex Regiment Way Golf Club, Chelmsford
Club: Essex IVC
Organiser: Judith Pickess

Saturday 12th Dec 2009
Manchester IVC Christmas Party
All are welcome at our Christmas Party at
Manchester Bridge Club
30 Palatine Road, West Didsbury, Manchester M20 3JJ

Spacious venue, large dance floor, safe parking
Hot and cold buffet by Bespoke Buffets
Boogie Nights Disco will play music from all eras (and not too loudly)

All this for £15

Please send cheque (made out to T. Astell) to:

Xmas Party
Manchester IVC
94 Grosvenor St
Manchester M1 7HL

Or reserve tickets by phone or email
Place: Manchester
Club: Manchester IVC
Organiser: Tom Astell

Saturday 12th Dec 2009
Norwich and Norfolk IVC Christmas Party
Members of Norwich and Norfolk IVC extend a warm invitation to our Christmas Party at the Lansdowne Hotel, 116 Thorpe Road, Norwich NR1 1RU from 7.30pm until Midnight.

Tickets are just £15.
All cheques payable to Norwich and Norfolk IVC please.

The evening will include a good buffet and a professional disco. Dress code is smart casual.

The deadline for buying tickets is Friday 4th December.
Place: Norwich
Club: Norwich & Norfolk IVC
Organiser: Michelle Workman
Tuesday 29th Dec 2009
New Year Celebration Break at Arundel YHA
WSIVC has secured an exclusive booking at the Arundel Youth Hostel in West Sussex for four nights over the New Year period (29 December 2009 to 2 January 2010). We have previously had fantastic New Year trips to Youth Hostels in Kent and the New Forest with 35-40 attending each time – come and join us this year to ring in the New Year in a fantastic location with great company and great times. If you haven’t been on a WSIVC trip before, we would highly recommend it! The historic town of Arundel is great for walks, sightseeing etc, together with an array of shops, pubs and restaurants and is only just over a mile walk along the banks of the Arun from the hostel. Nearby towns for day trips include Chichester and Brighton and for the more dedicated walkers the South Downs Way is but a mere stroll away.
No specific itinerary is decided in advance except of course our New Year Celebration Party on the Thursday. One of our members has offered to organise the catering for the party, so let’s bring it on! We generally decide what to do on the day and typically the group will split up do various different things such as walking, cycling, horse riding, sight seeing or shopping. As we’ll have sole use of the hostel we can also enjoy our time indoors, with games, DVDs and cooking group meals.
If you would like to join us in Arundel at New Year then please get in touch as soon as possible. The cost is £70 for the 4-night stay and may include some food if enough people attend to make a surplus. Places can be booked online by PayPal at www.wsivc.org.uk/payments or by contacting the host.
Place: Arundel, West Sussex
Club: West Surrey IVC
Organiser: Simon Jeffery
Friday 8th Jan 2010
Posh And Decadent Weekend
This year the choice for this weekend is the Novotel in Sheffield
The Hotel is close to the train station. The accommodation is either in a single or twin bedded room with half board and en-suite facilities. It also has a swimming pool. There is free car parking although not allocated, so first come, first served. Car sharing is always a good idea.
Single room cost is £58 per person per night and twin room is £48 per person per night.
If you have to cancel your booking for any reason, Birmingham IVC will make every effort to refund any monies you have paid. Any refund may be net of any costs incurred by the Company as a result of the cancellation. Consideration should be given to taking out appropriate insurance.
A deposit of £50 is required. See website for further information and downloadable booking form:
www.birminghamivc.org/sheffield_weekend.html
Place: Sheffield
Club: Birmingham IVC Ltd.
Organiser: Janet Blick

Friday 19th Feb 2010
IVC goes to Birmingham – Friday 19th to Sunday 21st February
In 2010 we are going to Birmingham the Second City.

The weekend will be hosted by members of Birmingham IVC, helping you to explore all that Birmingham as to offer. All within walking distance of the hotel.

The accommodation will be in the “Etap” Hotel located in the city centre, which has secure parking and is within very easy walking distance of both the train and coach stations. The “Etap” is a modern hotel with most of the expected facilities you would expect.

Birmingham Offers
Canals – take a three hour guided trip on the N.B. Anson (costs about £8) or just take a walk around the Mail Box, Brindley Place, ICC and Broad Street soak up the atmosphere.

Twin Towers walk (4miles – easy) Walking from the city centre to see the towers of Perrott’s Folly and Edgbaston Waterworks, which may have influenced J.R.R.Tolkien who lived nearby as a child. The walk takes in the canal and Edgbaston Reservoir.

Guided walking tour towards the Jewellery Quarter.

Jewellery Quarter Museum – an old factory, worth a visit. www.jewelleryquarter.net

Visit original Back to Back Houses (costs £5.70)
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-birmingham_backtobacks

Shopping – the best shopping experience in Europe (apparently).

Saturday Night
is Party Time at the breathtaking £5.5m entertainment venue “Oceana”. www.oceanaclubs.com/birmingham

The cost per visiting member would be:
£50 2 people sharing a room
£90 Single room

Should the weekend make a surplus, the surplus will be donated to “Help the Heroes”.

This covers the accommodation and tickets for the “Saturday Night Party” only. Food and drink extra.
Place: Birmingham
Club: AIVC Committee
Organiser: Peter Howe
Friday 16th Apr 2010
AIVC National Conference
Conference 2010 will be held at Warrens Holiday Village, Clevedon, North Somerset.
Friday 16 – Sunday 18 April.
Hosted by Bristol & Bath IVC.
Put the date in your diary – more details to follow once confirmed.
Place: Clevedon, Near Bristol
Club: Bristol & Bath IVC
Organiser: Cheryl Loy

Friday 14th May 2010
Butlins Weekend ’80’s Madness’
Butlins comment ‘Stage an 80s rebellion second time around at Butlins
with big-haired sounds. You really can’t touch this.’
There will be a selection of original acts and tribute acts -
Tributes may include – Madonna, Michael Jackson, Madness
Original acts may include – Nathan Moore, bad manners, Dr & the medics
Line-up is announced later, please visit the website for other
possibilities
These weekends get booked quick and I am amazed this weekend is
already showing limited accomodation on some types
Idea is 2 to 6 bed(3bedroom) chalets, dinner bed & breakfast
Cost around £130 for 3 nights Fri-Sun/Mon

If this weekend does not happen an alternative is Skegness on weekend
comm 26/2/10

Please let me know by email preferably with contact details if you are
interested and also if the alternative work for you (or better)

Please feel free to still contact me if you make a decision after the
book by date and we may still be able to sort something
Place: Bognor Regis
Club: Northants IVC
Organiser: Andrea
Friday 28th May 2010
A – Z of Weekends Away : AMSTERDAM
We are starting with “A” is for Amsterdam, the vibrant capital city of the Netherlands. Amsterdam is the city of canals, bridges, art, culture, architecture, coffee shops, diamonds, night life, parks, tulips and much more. Join us for a Whitsun Bank Holiday Break at the end of May 2010.

Fly direct from your local airport– the earlier you book the cheaper your flight is likely to be. Easyjet has already released their flight schedules for next May and you can book now.

Approximate dates : Friday 28 May to Tuesday 1st June, but if you can’t make those days or want to go for a longer or shorter period then you can book to suit yourself.

All types of accommodation can be found in the city ranging from shared dorms to B&Bs or more comfortable hotels to suit every pocket. We will sort out where we are staying nearer the time.
Place: Amsterdam
Club: Bristol & Bath IVC
Organiser: Cheryl Loy

Saturday 7th Aug 2010
“The Long Way Up” – Cycling Lands End to John O’Groats
An IVC opportunity!
To bring clubs together, whilst improving the profile of IVC, raising money for charity and achieving individual personal goals.

“Help the Heroes” is the charity and we will have a target to raise £50,000.
www.helpforheroes.org.uk

Cycling and visitor from all clubs will be able join in the tour, enroute. Clubs will be notified with the times and places to meet the team.

The trip would involve passing as many IVC as possible.
Plymouth IVC Birmingham IVC Fylde IVC
Exeter IVC North Staffs IVC North Lancs. IVC
South Somerset IVC (Cheshire & North Wales IVC) Border & Lakeland IVC
Bristol and Bath IVC (Merseyside IVC) Edinburgh Socialites
(Cardiff IVC) (Manchester IVC) (Dundee IVC)
Gloucestershire IVC
(Brackets are for clubs not on the route but nearby)
Riders and Support Team wanted!
Altogether 20 cyclists will be taking part, with a 5 person support team. Logistically this is the maximum due to transport and accommodation restrictions.
Cyclists
To qualify for this tour, each rider should have recently cycled over 100 miles at an average of 12 mph plus in one day. The cost
Support Team
Members of the Support Team will have pacific roles.
Each member of the team will be asked to pay a Registration Fee for a commitment and to cover the bear essentials £200 for riders and £100 for support workers, however we are looking for Major Sponsors to help the team to carry out the logistical side of the event.
Place: Britain
Club: Birmingham IVC Ltd.

As you may know we have a members email list that allows you and the committee to email the members about last minute changes to events etc.

At the moment we have the following members email addresses on the list:

Anna Rush
Andrew Marvill
Anne Foster
Chris Featherstone
Clive Arnold
Adrian Mayes
John Etheridge
Jim Nicholson
Ed Lait
Lenise Shaw
Paul Meredith
Norman Bell
Paul Kennedy

If your name is not on the list (or you have recently changed email address) please use the contact form on the home page to let us know.

The following people are confirmed as paid and going to the  Xmas Do at the Red Lion Hotel in Fareham.

If  any errors please contact me directly. (Andrew M)

Event details can be found on activity exchange

The following people are going,  if you think you should be on the list etc please contact me directly. (Andrew M)

Paul K ennedy,

Ed Lait,

Jo  Yeganegy

Mandy

Anna Rush

Andrew Marvill

Ann Foster *

Simone Yeatman *

Clive Arnold

Jannie Arnold

John Etheridge

Jim Nicholson

Shelagh Tasker

Maria Seaton-Fry

Pauline Morris *

Paulin *

16 people so far

The September issue of Newslines, the bulletin of the national association of IVCs (of which this club is a member) has been published.

Graeme Mount (aIVC News Officer) says:

I look forward to receiving articles and submissions, ideally with photographs, for the next NEWSLINES.  We hope to publish this soon after the aIVC committee meeting which takes place in Chester on October 3rd.

Please let Ed know if you have any material for the next Newslines.