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--- public:eastmids [2020/09/23 20:28] – Add September 2020 meeting PeteB
+++ public:eastmids [2023/12/02 20:03] – Add December 2023 meeting PeteB
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-:-)====== MERG East Midlands Area Group News ======
+:-)
-[[:public:areagroups|Return to Area Groups News]]\\
+====== MERG East Midlands Area Group News ======
-[[:public:start|Index to other public pages]]\\
+[[https://www.merg.org.uk/content/areagroups|Return to Area Groups Index]]\\
+[[https://www.merg.org.uk/content/knowledgebase|More about our Knowledgebase]]\\
+**This is the public page, members please check here for the latest news
+[[areagroups:emag:eastmids|EMAG Members Pages]]**
@@ Line 7: / Line 11: @@
-To send us an email, use the [[https://www.merg.org.uk/areagroup.php?area=2|MERG East Midlands Area Group contact form]].
+To contact us, use **[[https://www.merg.org.uk/contactus.php?t=1&n=36|Contact MERG ]]** and please indicate East Midlands Area Group in your message
 For MERG members, you might also like to look at our [[https://www.merg.org.uk/forum/viewforum.php?f=55|area group forum]].
+====== December 2023 East Midlands ONLINE area group meeting ======
-----
+Here is the agenda for our December 2023 online Zoom area group meeting.
-====== SEPTEMBER 2020 East Midlands ONLINE area group meeting ======
-**Saturday 26th September 2020 from 10:00**
+**Saturday 9th December from 10:00**
 This meeting will be online using Zoom.
-As before, we have found that breaks of roughly 10-15 mins per hour worked well, to avoid people getting fatigued from staring at their screens, so we will plan to do the same again.
+As before, we have found that regular breaks of roughly 10-15 mins worked well, to avoid people getting fatigued from staring at their screens, so we will plan to do the same again.
+----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----
 **AGENDA**
@@ Line 29: / Line 31: @@
 The meeting will be informal and flexible, so these are approximate times:
-  * 10:00 - Get connected, sort out any microphone/audio/video issues
+  *  10:00 - Get connected, Informal chat
-  * 10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions
+  *  10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions
-  * 10:45 - Guided tour of my layout - Folkstone International - Martin Perry
+  *  10:45 - Essex Brick a lockdown to exhibition layout - Eddy
-  * 11:15 - Tea/coffee break (make your own!)
+  *  11:30 - Tea/coffee break (make your own!)
-  * 11:30 - The MERG modules on Folkstone International (PTP-Lite, PD3, Servo4 etc) - Martin Perry
+  *  11:45 - Update on my developments with DCC, CBUS and JMRI - Pete Brownlow
-  * 12:00 - My terminus with loco release line, part 2 - Michael Newton
+   * 12:45 - QnA
-  * 12:30 - Lunch
+  *  13:00 - LUNCH BREAK
-  * 13:30 - QnA and anyone looking for advice and help on any projects
+  *  14:00 on - General QnA and help clinic
-----
+----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-For the QnA sessions, if you have built something and would like any help and advice, please be ready to wave it at the camera, and we'll see what help and advice we can give from afar.
+For the help clinic session in the afternoon, if you have built something and would like any help and advice, please be ready to wave it at the camera, and we'll see what help and advice we can give from afar.
-If you would like to join in, please go to the MERG website, select the menu option MEMBER LINKS->MY UPCOMING EVENTS, or go directly to [[https://merg.org.uk/membership/summary.php]], and you should see the details of this meeting together with the Zoom link to join in.
+If you would like to join in, please go to the MERG website, select the menu option MEMBER LINKS->MY UPCOMING EVENTS, or go directly to https://merg.org.uk/membership/summary.php, and you should see the details of this meeting together with the Zoom link to join in
 Please don't share the Zoom links with anyone outside MERG, or post them on any public social media or web page.
-If you cannot see the details for East Midlands area group meetings, go to [[https://www.merg.org.uk/membership]] and make sure you are subscribed to the East Midlands area group. There is no requirement that you live in the East Midlands, any member can subscribe and join in. If you would like to introduce a visitor to the meeting, please email details to eastmids@merg.org.uk.
+If you cannot see the details for East Midlands area group meetings, go to https://www.merg.org.uk/membership and make sure you are subscribed to the East Midlands area group. There is no requirement that you live in the East Midlands, any member can subscribe and join in. If you would like to introduce a visitor to the meeting, please email their details to eastmids@merg.org.uk.
-If you still can't get the Zoom link, send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk and I'll email you the Zoom link, but with the new system that allows you to see the Zoom link directly from your events page, I no longer need to send out confirmation emails to everyone, you can just join in on the day.
+If you still can't get the Zoom link, send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk and I'll email you the Zoom link.
-----
-====== AUGUST 2020 East Midlands ONLINE area group meeting ======
-**Saturday 29th August 2020 from 10:00**
-This meeting will be online using Zoom.
-As before, we have found that breaks of roughly 10-15 mins per hour worked well, to avoid people getting fatigued from staring at their screens, so we will plan to do the same again.
+I will send out the usual reminder email, it will go automatically to everyone who is subscribed to this area group.
 ----
-**AGENDA**
-The meeting will be informal and flexible, so these are approximate times:
-  * 10:00 - Get connected, sort out any microphone/audio/video issues
-  * 10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions
-  * 10:50 - Tea/coffee break (make your own!)
-  * 11:00 - Introduction to my terminus with loco release line, using modified Pocket Money Projects. - Michael Newton
-  * 11:15 - Update on my projects, including CANINP/CANOUT and the Universal Experimenters Module - Pete Brownlow
-  * 11:50 - Tea/coffee break (make your own!)
-  * 12:00 - Charnwood - my PTP Lite layout - Judi Rastall
-  * 12:30 - PTP Lite QnA
-  * 13:00 - Lunch
-  * 14:00 - QnA and anyone looking for advice and help on any projects
 ----
+====== OCTOBER 2023 East Midlands MERG Area Group FACE to FACE meeting ======
-For the QnA sessions, if you have built something and would like any help and advice, please be ready to wave it at the camera, and we'll see what help and advice we can give from afar.
+**Saturday 21st October 2023 from 10:00**
-If you would like to join in, please go to the MERG website, select the menu option MEMBER LINKS->MY UPCOMING EVENTS, or go directly to [[https://merg.org.uk/membership/summary.php]], and you should see the details of this meeting together with the Zoom link to join in.
+The meeting is Kindly hosted by the Nene Valley Railway at Wansford. Thanks to MERG and NVR member Russ Jenner for arranging the venue for us.
-Please don't share the Zoom links with anyone outside MERG, or post them on any public social media or web page.
+We will ask for a donation of £5 per head to cover both the venue hire and teas/coffees for the day. If we collect more than the cost of hiring the venue and supplying refreshments, we will donate the difference to the NVR.
-If you cannot see the details for East Midlands area group meetings, go to [[https://www.merg.org.uk/membership]] and make sure you are subscribed to the East Midlands area group. There is no requirement that you live in the East Midlands, any member can subscribe and join in. If you would like to introduce a visitor to the meeting, please email details to eastmids@merg.org.uk.
+The venue has level step free access and good parking. If you need a disabled space reserved, please let us know.
-If you still can't get the Zoom link, send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk and I'll email you the Zoom link, but with the new system that allows you to see the Zoom link directly from your events page, I no longer need to send out confirmation emails to everyone, you can just join in on the day.
+There is a cafe on site, I will confirm arrangements, but most likely we will pass the menu around in the morning so you can order lunch if you wish.
-----
-====== JULY 2020 East Midlands ONLINE area group meeting ======
-**Saturday 18th July 2020 from 10:00**
-This meeting will be online using Zoom.
-As before, we have found that breaks of roughly 10-15 mins per hour worked well, to avoid people getting fatigued from staring at their screens, so we will plan to do the same again.
+If the Wifi at the venue is working well enough, we will endeavour to have a Zoom connection for the morning meeting, for those who cannot come in person. However, the meeting will be optimised for those who manage to get along, who will get the best experience.
 ----
 **AGENDA**
@@ Line 110: / Line 76: @@
 The meeting will be informal and flexible, so these are approximate times:
-  * 10:00 - Get connected, sort out any microphone/audio/video issues
+  * 10:00 - Arrival, Informal chat and get to know the other members
-  * 10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions
+  * 10:30 - Welcome to NVR and housekeeping - Russ Jenner
-  * 10:50 - Tea/coffee break (make your own!)
+  * 10:35 - Group news and Introductions
-  * 11:00 - My projects update and a demo of Voice Control using JMRI+CBUS - Pete Brownlow
+  * 10:45 - CBUS and JMRI at Gwynne Junction - James Cunningham - including some or all of CANMIO Rev K, JMRI semaphore signalling, my JMRI touchscreen signal box and Railcom
-  * 11:45 - Tea/coffee break (make your own!)
+  * 11:45 - Tea/coffee break
-  * 12:00 - Locke Town - A tour around Roxeter and the PC that controls it.(A bit of a CBUS fest!) - by Nick Locke
+  * 12:00 - MERG & kit locker updates - Judi Rastall
-  * 13:00 - Lunch Break
+  * 12:30 - The Universal Experimenters Module - Pete Brownlow
-  * 14:00 - Kit locker Update
+  * 13:00 - LUNCH BREAK
-  * 14:15 - QnA and anyone looking for advice and help on any projects
+  *
+  * 13:30 - 16:30 ish - Demonstrations and practical problems help clinic
-----
-For the QnA sessions, if you have built something and would like any help and advice, please be ready to wave it at the camera, and we'll see what help and advice we can give from afar.
-If you would like to join in, please go to the MERG website, select the menu option MEMBERS LINKS->YOUR EVENTS, or go directly to https://merg.org.uk/membership/summary.php, and you should see the details of this meeting together with the Zoom link to join in.
-If you are not a MERG member and would like to participate as a visitor to the meeting, please email to eastmids@merg.org.uk.
-Please don't share the Zoom links with anyone outside MERG, or post them on any public social media or web page.
-If you are a MERG member and you cannot see the details for East Midlands area group meetings, go to https://www.merg.org.uk/membership and make sure you are subscribed to the East Midlands area group. There is no requirement that you live in the East Midlands, any member can subscribe and join in.
-If you still can't get the Zoom link, send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk and I'll email you the Zoom link, but with the new system that allows you to see the Zoom link directly from your events page, I no longer need to send out confirmation emails to everyone for online meetings. Thanks to Allan and Martin S for all the work they have put into that system.
-This means you don't have to post a message on the forum or send an email to reserve a place at the meeting, but still feel free to post a message to let us know you will be there if you wish.
-I will send out the usual reminder emails to everyone subscribed to the area group in the next day or so, the updated membership system now allows me to do that without having to maintain a separate list of members email addresses, it will go automatically to everyone who is subscribed to this area group.
 ----
-====== JUNE 2020 East Midlands ONLINE area group meeting ======
+During the afternoon, as well as our usual help and problem solving clinic, Russ advises that the railwayana shop at NVR will be open which now has quite a lot of double 00 and a few N and O gauge second hand stock.
-**Sunday 28th June 2020 from 10:00**
+If he can get the 00 layout running for the afternoon he will do so.
-This meeting will be online using Zoom.
+Short trips to the NVR shed will be available during the afternoon.
-As before, we have found that breaks of 10-15 mins per hour worked well, to avoid people getting fatigued from staring at their screens, so we will plan to do the same again.
+It is a running day at NVR with 3 trains, pulled by W D Austerity.
-----
+If you would like to come, please send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk or post a message in the East Midlands Area group section of the MERG forum. I will add you to the list and, in the week before the meeting, you will get a reply with full address details, directions to the venue and parking information. Even if you are not sure yet whether you can get along, please let us know anyway so we can plan for likely numbers. Please don't just turn up on spec, in case there are last minute changes we need to let you know about.
-**AGENDA**
+Let us know if you need a lift from Peterborough station. Please plan to arrive at Peterborough station no later than 9:30am, so whoever picks you up does not have to miss any of the meeting.
-The meeting will be informal and flexible, so these are approximate times:
+(Those who have already let me know that you are coming, I have noted you and I will be sending out confirmation emails in the week before the meeting.)
-  * 10:00 - Get connected, sort out any microphone/audio/video issues
-  * 10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions
-  * 10:45 - Kit Locker news Special
-  * 11:15 - Tea/coffee break (make your own!)
-  * 11:30 - Progress with my Garden Railway - Colin Head
-  * 12:15 - Tea/coffee break (make your own!)
-  * 12:30 - CBUS and JMRI update, including CANINP and CANOUT - Pete Brownlow
-  * 13:00 - Lunch Break
-  * 14:00 - QnA and anyone looking for advice and help on any projects
 ----
+====== JULY 2023 East Midlands MERG Area Group FACE to FACE meeting ======
+**Saturday 8th July 2023 from 10:00**
-For the QnA sessions, if you have built something and would like any help and advice, please be ready to wave it at the camera, and we'll see what help and advice we can give from afar.
+Due to Judi's building work not being complete in time, we have swapped the venues for our July and September meetings.
-If you would like to join in, please send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk or post a message here in the East Midlands Area group section of the MERG forum. I will add you to the list and, in the next couple of days, you will get a reply with Zoom link and meeting id.
+This meeting will now be at Aisthorpe Village Hall, near Lincoln, Kindly hosted by Lincoln & District Model Railway Club (L&DMRC) at Scampton and Aisthorpe Village hall, near Lincoln.
-----
+Thanks to Richard Joyce for organising the venue for us.
-====== MAY 2020 East Midlands ONLINE area group meeting ======
+Tea and Coffee will be available all day, please bring your own packed lunch as there are no other facilities nearby.
-**Saturday 16th May 2020 from 10:00**
+We will ask for a donation of £5 per head to cover the venue hire and teas/coffees. Note that one payment covers both, you don't need to pay separately for the teas and coffees. If we collect more than the cost of hiring the venue and refreshments, we will donate the difference to L&DMRC.
-This meeting will be online using Zoom.
+The venue has level step free access and reasonable parking. If you need a disabled space reserved, please let us know.
-During our online courses, we found that breaks of 10-15 mins per hour worked well, to avoid people getting fatigued from staring at their screens, so we will plan to do the same again.
+Provided the Internet connection at the venue is working well, we will have a Zoom connection for the morning meeting, for those who cannot come in person. I will add a Zoom link to the meeting info, so that it appears in your upcoming meetings on the MERG website.
-----
+More details of parking and how to find the venue will be included in your confirmation email when you book your place. Please remember to book a place and not just turn up on spec, in case there are any changes we need to let you know about.
+----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 **AGENDA**
@@ Line 190: / Line 132: @@
 The meeting will be informal and flexible, so these are approximate times:
-  * 10:00 - Get connected, sort out any microphone/audio/video issues
+  * 10:00 - Arrival, Informal chat and get to know the other members
   * 10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions
-  * 10:45 - Fitting crystal adapter boards to CBUS modules - Graham Clark
+  * 10:45 - Introduction to the Lincoln & District Model Railway Club - Richard Joyce
-  * 11:15 - Tea/coffee break (make your own!)
+  * 10:50 - The CANPROG - what it is, building one, using it to program PICs - Pete Brownlow
-  * 11:30 - Update on my projects - Pete Brownlow
+  * 11:30 - Tea/coffee break
-  * 12:00 - QnA and anyone looking for advice and help on any projects
+  * 11:45 - Update on FCU development (CBUS FLim Config Utility) - Julian Pratt
-  * 12:30 - Lunch Break
+  * 12:15 - Kit locker update - Judi Rastall
-  * 13:30 - Kit locker update from Judi Rastal
+  * 13:00 - LUNCH BREAK
-  * 14:00 - Continuation of QnA and advice clinic, until everyone has had enough!
+  * 14:00 - 16:00 ish - Demonstrations and practical problems help clinic - including FCU tutorial if requested
+There should also be a chance to see some of the L&DMRC layouts.
-----
+We will of course have our usual problem clinic providing General help on problems with kits or other electronic projects, building, testing, problem solving, techniques such as soldering etc.
+----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+If you would like to come, please send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk or post a message in the East Midlands Area group section of the MERG forum. I will add you to the list and, in the week before the meeting, you will get a reply with full details, directions to the venue and parking information. Even if you are not sure yet whether you can get along, please let us know anyway so we can plan for likely numbers.
-For the QnA sessions, if you have built something and would like any help and advice, please be ready to wave it at the camera, and we'll see what help and advice we can give from afar.
+Please book a place rather than just turning up on spec, if there are any last minute changes we need to know who is coming so that we can contact you.
-If you would like to join in, please send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk or post a message in the East Midlands Area group section of the MERG forum. I will add you to the list and, during the Friday before the meeting, you will get a reply with Zoom link and meeting id.
+(Those who have already let me know that you are coming, I will be sending out confirmation emails in the week before the meeting).
-----
+====== May 2023 East Midlands ONLINE area group meeting ======
+Here is the agenda for our May 2023 online Zoom area group meeting.
-====== APRIL 2020 East Midlands ONLINE area group meeting ======
+**Saturday 27th May from 10:00**
-Here is the agenda for our Easter online area group meeting.
+This meeting will be online using Zoom.
-**Saturday 11th April 2020 from 10:00**
+As before, we have found that breaks of roughly 10-15 mins per hour worked well, to avoid people getting fatigued from staring at their screens, so we will plan to do the same again.
-This meeting would have been at the Kingsway Centre in Wellingborough, home to Kingsway Model Railway Society. Thanks are due to Kingsway Cenetre and KMRS, and hopefully we can re-schedule another meeting there at some time in the future.
+----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-In the meantime, this meeting will now be online using Zoom.
-During our online courses, we found that breaks of 10-15 mins per hour worked well, to avoid people getting fatigued from staring at their screens, so we will follow that idea for the area group meeting.
-----
 **AGENDA**
@@ Line 229: / Line 169: @@
 The meeting will be informal and flexible, so these are approximate times:
-  * 10:00 - Get connected, sort out any microphone/audio/video issues
+  *  10:00 - Get connected, Informal chat
-  * 10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions
+  *  10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions
-  * 10:45 - Kit locker update - Judi Rastall
+  *  10:45 - MERG and kit locker news
-  * 11:15 - Tea/coffee break (make your own!)
+  *  11:00 - FCU (CBUS Config utility) - development news and status - Pete Brownlow
-  * 11:30 - CBUS & JMRI update - Pete Brownlow
+  *  11:30 - Tea/coffee break (make your own!)
-  * 12:15 - Another break
+  *  11:45 - WebFCU (alternative CBUS config utility) - David Ellis
-  * 12:30 - QnA and anyone looking for advice and help on any projects
+  *  12:15 - From the MERG chairman - John Gowers
-  * 13:30 - Lunch Break
+  * 12:45 - MERG AGM event - possible East Mids Area group involvement
-  * 14:30 - Optional continuation of QnA and advice clinic, if we hadn't finished in the morning
+  *  13:00 - LUNCH BREAK
+  *  14:00 on - General QnA and help clinic
-----
+----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 For the QnA sessions, if you have built something and would like any help and advice, please be ready to wave it at the camera, and we'll see what help and advice we can give from afar.
-If you would like to join in, please send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk or post a message here in the East Midlands Area group section of the MERG forum. I will add you to the list and, during tomorrow Friday, course, you will get a reply with Zoom link and meeting id.
+If you would like to join in, please go to the MERG website, select the menu option MEMBER LINKS->MY UPCOMING EVENTS, or go directly to https://merg.org.uk/membership/summary.php, and you should see the details of this meeting together with the Zoom link to join in
+Please don't share the Zoom links with anyone outside MERG, or post them on any public social media or web page.
+If you cannot see the details for East Midlands area group meetings, go to https://www.merg.org.uk/membership and make sure you are subscribed to the East Midlands area group. There is no requirement that you live in the East Midlands, any member can subscribe and join in. If you would like to introduce a visitor to the meeting, please email their details to eastmids@merg.org.uk.
-I will also host a test Zoom meeting at 7pm on Friday evening, for anyone who wants to test out that they can get connected ok before the meeting proper.
+If you still can't get the Zoom link, send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk and I'll email you the Zoom link.
+I will send out the usual reminder email to everyone subscribed to the area group, it will go automatically to everyone who is subscribed to this area group.
 ----
+====== APRIL 2023 East Midlands MERG Area Group FACE to FACE meeting ======
-====== MARCH 2020 East Midlands area group meeting ======
+**Saturday 8th April 2023 from 10:00**
-**Saturday 14th March 2020 from 10:00**
+Here is the agenda for our April meeting.
-Our March meeting is Kindly hosted by the Historical Model Railway Society (HMRS) at their Museum and Study Centre located at The Midland Railway Centre, Swanwick Junction, near Derby.
+This meeting is Kindly hosted by the The Kingsway Model Railway Society (KMRS) at the Kingsway Centre in Wellingborough.
-(See http://www.hmrs.org.uk)
-We will ask for a donation of £2 per head to cover teas/coffees and a donation to HMRS for our use of the room.
+We will ask for a donation of £5 per head to cover the venue hire and teas/coffees. Note that one payment covers both, you don't need to pay separately for the teas and coffees. If we collect more than the cost of hiring the venue and refreshments, we will donate the difference to KMRS.
-I have been advised that there will be no catering on site that day, other than the teas and coffees, so you will need to bring a packed lunch.
+The venue has level step free access and good parking. If you need a disabled space reserved, please let us know.
-The meeting room is upstairs, but HMRS have a platform stair lift which I have confirmed is working, so step free access is available. The platform should accept a standard wheelchair, but will not take the larger mobility scooters. When confirming your place, please let us know if you have any mobility requirements.
+You can either bring a packed lunch or nip out to somewhere locally, the town centre is about 5 minutes drive away and there is a co-op shop a few minutes walk away.
+Provided the Internet connection at the venue is working, we will have a Zoom connection for the morning meeting, for those who cannot come in person. I will add a Zoom link to the meeting info, so that it appears in your upcoming meetings on the MERG website.
-----
+More details of parking and how to find the venue will be included in your confirmation email when you book your place. Please remember to book a place and not just turn up on spec, in case there are any changes we need to let you know about, and so we now how many people to cater for.
+----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 **AGENDA**
-The meeting will be informal and flexible, so these are approximate times:
   * 10:00 - Arrival, Informal chat and get to know the other members
   * 10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions
-  * 10:45 - An Arduino based timed shuttle - Jeremy Cole
+  * 10:40 - Introduction to the Kingsway Model Railway Society - Roger Barker
+  * 10:45 - CBUS update - what has been happening in the CBUS world - Pete Brownlow
   * 11:30 - Tea/coffee break
-  * 12:00 - CBUS/CANMIO update & building CBUS modules that are not yet in the kit locker - Pete Brownlow
+  * 11:45 - The new improved MERG ATC system - Mike Collins
-  * 13:00 - MERG Kit locker Update - Judi Rastall – News on new/updated kits, availability, changes to the kit locker
+  * 12:30 - Kit locker update - Judi Rastall
+  * 13:00 - LUNCH BREAK
+  * 14:00 - 16:30 ish - Demonstrations and practical problems help clinic
-  * 13:30 - LUNCH BREAK
+The Kingsway Model Railway Society 00 gauge layout will be open and partially running (one corner currently has an engineering possession for relaying the track). This uses the MERG DCC system and CBUS. The N gauge layout will also be set up. Pete will also have the Missenden St Mary's layout set up and running.
-  * 14:30 - 16:30ish - Making it work: Practical session & problem clinic plus demos & Soldering help (inc surface mount) with John Gowers
+Feel free if you want to bring something to run, the 00 layouts are DCC, the N gauge layout is analogue.
+We will of course have our usual problem clinic providing General help on problems with kits or other electronic projects, building, testing, problem solving, techniques such as soldering etc.
+----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----
+If you would like to come, please send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk or post a message in the East Midlands Area group section of the MERG forum. I will add you to the list and, before the event, you will get a reply with full details, directions to the venue and parking information. Even if you are not sure yet whether you can get along, please let us know anyway so we can plan for likely numbers.
+Please book a place rather than just turning up on spec, if there are any last minute changes we need to know who is coming so that we can contact you.
+Regards,
-For the practical sessions, as we have done before, if you have built something and would like any help and advice, please bring it along and we'll work on it with you as a demonstration for all those interested.
+Pete
-If you already know what you want help on for this session, please email or post the details in advance so we can gen-up on it and look like we know what we are talking about!
-If you would like to come, please send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk or post a message in the East Midlands Area group section of the MERG forum. I will add you to the list and, in due course, you will get a reply with full address details, directions to the venue and parking information. Let us know if you need a lift from a nearby station - Alfreton is the closest.
-(Those who have already let me know that you are coming, I will be sending out confirmation emails in the next few days.)
-----
+====== SEPTEMBER 2022 East Midlands MERG Area Group FACE to FACE meeting ======
-====== OCTOBER 2019 East Midlands area group meeting ======
+**Saturday 3rd September 2022 from 10:00**
-**Saturday 26th October 2019 from 9:30**
+Here is the agenda for our September meeting.
-Kindly hosted by the Nene Valley Railway in their Study Centre meeting room at Wansford
+This meeting is Kindly hosted by the The Kingsway Model Railway Society at the Kingsway Centre in Wellingborough.
-Thanks to Russ Jenner for organising the venue for us.
+We will ask for a donation of £5 per head to cover the venue hire and teas/coffees. Note that one payment covers both this time, you don't need to pay separately for the teas and coffees. If we collect more than the cost of hiring the venue and refreshments, we will donate the difference to KMRS.
-This is an Arduino themed meeting.
+The venue has level step free access and good parking. If you need a disabled space reserved, please let us know.
-----
+You can either bring a packed lunch or nip out to somewhere locally, the town centre is about 5 minutes drive away.  There is a co-op shop a few minutes walk away.
-**AGENDA**
+Provided the Internet connection at the venue is working, we will have a Zoom connection for the morning meeting, for those who cannot come in person. I will add a Zoom link to the meeting info, so that it appears in your upcoming meetings on the MERG website.
-  * 09:30 Members arrival, Informal chat and get to know the other members
-  * 10:00 Group news and events update
-  * 10:15 Introduction to Arduino - Alex Hamilton
-  * 11:15 Coffee Break
-  * 11:30 Case studies of Arduino in model railway projects - Duncan Greenwood
-  * 12:30 Lunch
-  * 13:30 Kit locker news - Judi Rastall
-  * 14:00 Afternoon practical sessions, including:
-          A chance to talk in more detail with our speakers
-          Various Arduino demos by MERG members and others
-          Our usual practical problem solving clinic session
-          We may also have some NVR signal box tours available organised by Russ Jenner
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-We will ask for £2 per head to cover the room hire cost and £1 each in the "honesty box" will cover as many teas and coffees as you want all day. This money will all go to the Nene Valley Railway.
-A selection of MERG kits will be available for purchase. If you have specific requirements, then it would be best to pre-order what you want from the kit locker for collection at the meeting, as we will only have a selection of stock at the meeting.
-The NVR cafe will be open from about 8:30 for bacon butties or full breakfast, and also open at lunchtime. However, as it is a running weekend including Thomas the Tank Engine, it may be very busy. For that reason, we have scheduled lunch fairly early, and we will probably make arrangements to pre-order during the morning.
-The meeting room is step-free accessible. If you need a disabled parking space reserved close up, please let us know.
-For those who would like to come by train, we can arrange to collect you from Peterborough station or, if you can get there early enough, I can collect from Wellingborough station on my way to the meeting about 7:30am.
-If you would like to come, please send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk or post a message in the East Midlands Area group section of the MERG forum. You will get a reply in due course with full address details and directions to the venue.
-Members from outside the East Midlands are always welcome at our meetings, as are visitors. Please just let us know you are coming so we can plan for the numbers expected.
-----
-====== AUGUST 2019 East Midlands area group meeting ======
-**Saturday 17th August 2019 from 10:00**
-Kindly hosted by David Straker at his place in Leicester.
-Weather permitting, there will be an opportunity to see and operate David's 'O' gauge garden layout, Victoria to Beckenham Junction.
-Collection can be arranged from Leicester station for those who would like to come by train.
-Tea and coffee will be provided, please bring your own packed lunch.
-The meeting is on the ground floor and easily accessible with no steps.
+More details of parking and how to find the venue will be included in your confirmation email when you book your place. PLease remember to book a place and not just turn up on spec, in case there are any changes we need to let you know about.
 ----
@@ Line 369: / Line 269: @@
 The meeting will be informal and flexible, so these are approximate times:
-  * 10:00 Arrival, Informal chat and get to know the other members
+  * 10:00 - Arrival, Informal chat and get to know the other members
-  * 10:30 Welcome - David Straker
+  * 10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions
-  * 10:40 Introductions and group news
+  * 10:40 - Introduction to the Kingsway Model Railway Society - Roger barker
-  * 10:50 Kit locker Update - Judi Rastall
+  * 10:45 - Turntable Tales - My journey so far with the Peco Turntable and MERG Turntable Controller - kit John Wood\\ (Also includes using Julian's auto-reverser to power the deck)
-  * 11:15 Short coffee break
+  * 11:15 - Tea/coffee break
-  * 11:30 CBUS enhancements to JMRI, demo and discussion - Steve Young
+  * 11:30 - DCC and CBUS new developments with live demo - Pete Brownlow\\ (Including new features in CANCMD, CANCOMPUTE and development news on CANMIO (Universal) )
-  * 12:15 Finding your way around the MERG website, forum and wiki - Pete Brownlow
+  * 13:00 - LUNCH BREAK
-  * 13:00 Lunch - bring your own packed lunch (tea and coffee provided)
-  * 13:30 A chance to operate David Straker's 'O' gauge garden railway
-  * in parallel with:
-  * 13:30 Making it work - our usual problem solving clinic
-  * 16:00 “Wrap up” discussion, confirm next meeting and thanks to our host
+  * 14:00 - 16:30 ish - Demonstrations and practical problems help clinic
-----
+The Kingsway Model Railway Society 00 gauge layout will be open and running, this uses the MERG DCC system and CBUS. The N gauge layout will also be set up.  Pete will also have the Missenden St Mary's layout set up and running.
+Feel free if you want to bring something to run,  the 00 layouts are DCC, the N gauge layout is analogue.
-If you would like to bring anything to run on David's layout, it is 'O' gauge with dead track, so battery and radio control is usually the best bet.
+We will of course have our usual problem clinic providing General help on problems with kits or other electronic projects, building, testing, problem solving, techniques such as soldering etc.
-There will be some kits available for purchase, but we can only bring a selection so If you want any specific kits, you would be best to order them in advance from the kit locker and specify collection at the Leicester area group meeting at the checkout page.
-For the clinic session, as we have done before, if you have built something and would like any help and advice, please bring it along and we'll work on it with you as a demonstration for everyone. If you know in advance what you would like to get sorted, let us know in advance so we can gen up on it.
-If you would like to come, please send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk or post a message in the East Midlands Area group section of the MERG forum. You will get a reply with full address details and directions to the venue. (If you have already done so - your confirmation email should arrive in the next day or two)
-If you would like to come by train, please let us know if you need a lift from the station. If coming by train, please plan to arrive at Leicester station by about 09:45 so that whoever comes to pick you up does not have to miss any of the meeting.
-All visitors, and MERG members from outside the East Midlands, are always welcome at our area group meetings.
 ----
-====== SUMMER 2019 East Midlands area group meeting ======
+If you would like to come, please send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk or post a message in the East Midlands Area group section of the MERG forum. I will add you to the list and, in a day or two, you will get a reply with full details, directions to the venue and parking information. Even if you are not sure yet whether you can get along, please let us know anyway so we can plan for likely numbers.
-**Sunday 7th July 2019 from 10:00**
-Kindly hosted by Julie and Brian Chapman at their place in Skegness.
-Collection can be arranged from Skegness station for those who would like to come by train.
-Full details and directions to the venue will be confirmed to those attending.
-**AGENDA**
-The meeting will be informal and flexible, so these are approximate times:
-  * 10:00 Arrival, Informal chat and get to know the other members
-  * 10:30 Introductions, Group news, future meetings etc.
-  * 10:45 Driving and firing a steam locomotive, and how to apply this to correct use of a steam sound decoder : John Gowers
-  * 11:45 Short tea/coffee break
-  * 12:00 Report on a recent visit to Minatur Wunderland with some photos and video - Pete Brownlow
-  * 12:45 Kit locker update - Judi Rastall
-  * 13:00 Lunch
-  * 14:00 Making it work - practical sessions and problem clinic on any members projects, MERG kits or anything else.
-  * 16:00 Final discussion, confirm next meeting and thanks to our hosts
+Please book a place rather than just turning up on spec, if there are any last minute changes we need to know who is coming so that we can contact you.
+(Those who have already let me know that you are coming, I will be sending out confirmation emails in the next few days).
 ----
+====== JULY 2022 East Midlands MERG Area Group FACE to FACE meeting ======
+**Saturday 9th July 2022 from 10:00**
-As always, if you have built something and would like any help and advice, please bring it along and we'll work on it with you during the afternoon clinic as a demonstration for everyone.
+The meeting is Kindly hosted by the Nene Valley Railway at Wansford. Thanks to MERG and NVR member Russ Jenner for arranging the venue for us.
-There will be some kits available to buy, but if you want something specific, I would recommend ordering it from the kit locker now and marking it for collection at the meeting.
-Julie and Brian can accommodate a maximum of 20 people, so it will be first come first served for booking a place.
-Parking is quite limited, with double yellow lines on all roads nearby, Brian and the next door neighbour can accommodate about 10-12 cars max on the driveway. So please car share as much as possible. If it looks like we will have too many cars, then we will identify a car park in the vicinity where people can meet up and come on to the venue in one car.
+We will ask for a donation of £5 per head to cover both the venue hire and teas/coffees for the day. If we collect more than the cost of hiring the venue and supplying refreshments, we will donate the difference to the NVR.
-The venue is accessible. There are two steps but wheelchair ramps are available if required. If you need a parking space reserved on Brian's drive, please let us know.
+The venue has level step free access and good parking. If you need a disabled space reserved, please let us know.
-Tea/Coffee and biscuits will be available all day, bacon butties will be available in the morning. Please indicate when booking, if you would like a buttie, so Julie has a idea of numbers.
+There is a cafe on site, we will pass the menu around in the morning so you can order lunch if you wish.
-Let us know if you need a lift from the station. If arriving by train, please plan to arrive at Skegness station no later than 10am so that whoever picks you up does not have to miss any of the meeting.
+If the Wifi at the venue is working well enough, we will endevour have a Zoom connection for the morning meeting, for those who cannot come in person. However, the meeting will be optimised for those who manage to get along, who will get the best experience.
-If you would like to come, please send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk or post a message in the East Midlands Area group section of the MERG forum. You will get a reply, in due course, with full address details, directions to the venue and parking information.
+It is a running day on the NVR, purple timetable, scheduled to be a mix of steam and the Peak diesel. See the NVR website for more details.
-For those who have already indicated you would like to come, I will be sending out confirmation emails over the next few days.
 ----
-====== EASTER 2019 East Midlands area group meeting ======
-**Saturday 20th April 2019 from 10:00**
-Our next meeting is Kindly hosted by the Kingsway Model Railway Society (KMRS) in Wellingborough.
-KMRS is a small club that has a room in the Kingsway Centre in Wellingborough, where a small 00 gauge layout is under construction. They also have portable N gauge and 009 layouts at various stages of development. The society uses the meeting room in the centre for their weekly club meetings.
-Normally it is not possible to hire the meeting room at weekends, as there are regular weekly meetings on Saturdays and Sundays by a language class and a dance school.
-However, neither of these organisations are meeting on Easter Saturday 20th April, so we have been able to hire the room.
-Collection can be arranged from Wellingborough station for those who would like to come by train.
-We will ask for a donation of £2.50 per head to cover the room hire, and £1 each in the pot to cover teas/coffees biscuits etc. for the day. Any excess over the costs will be donated to KMRS.
-There is a Sainsbury's with a cafe less than 5 minutes drive away, and a local convenience store about 350yds away, or bring your own packed lunch.
-The venue is level access with no stairs. If you need a disabled car parking space reserved close to the door, please let me know.
-----
 **AGENDA**
@@ Line 481: / Line 322: @@
   * 10:00 - Arrival, Informal chat and get to know the other members
   * 10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions
-  * 11:00 - CBUS update, developments and news - by Pete Brownlow
+  * 10:40 - Developing FCU - progress and challenges, David Radcliffe
-  * 11:30 - Tea/coffee break
+  * 11:20 - Tea/coffee break
-  * 11:45 - Setting up JMRI routes with CBUS by Graham Clark
+  * 11:30 - Colin Head - Demo and progress report on my layout (which has no name yet!)
+  * 12:10 - MERG & kit locker updates - Judi Rastall
+  * 12:30 - LUNCH BREAK
-JMRI is a free software program for computer control, Graham will show how he used it to set up routing using the MERG CBUS system. Graham is bring a demo board, and invites questions and discussion after his presentation.
+  * 13:30 - 16:30 ish - Demonstrations and practical problems help clinic
-  * 12:30 MERG DCC and CBUS on the KMRS 00 layout
-Pete will describe his experiences, tribulations and future plans installing the MERG DCC system and CBUS accessory control on the layout at KMRS, together with live demos on the layout itself, which is in the room adjoining our meeting.
-  * 13:15 - LUNCH BREAK
-  * 14:30 - 16:00 ish - Making it work - Practical workshop session and problem clinic
+Note: "FCU" is the FLiM Config Utility, used to configure CBUS modules from a computer
 ----
+If you would like to come, please send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk or post a message here in the East Midlands Area group section of the MERG forum. I will add you to the list and, in due course, you will get a reply with full address details, directions to the venue and parking information. Even if you are not sure yet whether you can get along, please let us know anyway so we can plan for likely numbers.
-For the practical sessions, as we have done before, if you have built something and/or would like any help and advice, please bring it along and we'll work on it with you as a demonstration for everyone.
+Let us know if you need a lift from Peterborough station. Please plan to arrive at Peterborough station no later than 9:30am, so whoever picks you up does not have to miss any of the meeting.
-If you already know what you want help on for this session, please email the details in advance so we can gen-up on it and look like we know what we are talking about!
-Although the main presentations are quite CBUS-centric this time, we will of course cover anything and everything during the afternoon workshop session.
-If you would like to come, please send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk or post a message in the East Midlands Area group section of the MERG forum. I will add you to the list and, in due course, you will get a reply with full address details, directions to the venue and parking information.
-If you are planning to come by train, let us know if you need a lift from Wellingborough station. Please plan to arrive at Wellingborough station no later than 10am so that whoever comes to pick you up does not have to miss any of the meeting.
+Those who have already let us know that you are coming, you should have received a confirmation email with directions, parking, lunch details etc. If you have not received your confirmation email, please get in touch.
 ----
+====== APRIL 2022 East Midlands MERG Area Group FACE to FACE meeting ======
-====== FEBRUARY 2019 East Midlands area group meeting ======
+**Saturday  16th April 2022 from 10:00**
-**Saturday 23rd February 2019 from 10:00**
+This meeting is Kindly hosted by the The Kingsway Model Railway Society at the Kingsway Centre in Wellingborough.
-Our next meeting is Kindly hosted by the Historical Model Railway Society (HMRS) at their Museum and Study Centre located at The Midland Railway Centre, Swanwick Junction.
+We will ask for a donation of £5 per head to cover the venue hire and teas/coffees. Note that one payment covers both this time, you don't need to pay separately for the teas and coffees. If we collect more than the cost of hiring the venue and refreshments, we will donate the difference to KMRS.
-(See http://www.hmrs.org.uk)
-Firstly an apology for the clash with the Newark show, which I missed when booking the venue for this date. If anyone is not planning to come to this meeting, but could help with the MERG stand at Newark on the Saturday, or if anyone can help at that show on Sunday, then please contact the exhibition manger on exhibitions@merg.org.uk
+The venue has level step free access and good parking. If you need a disabled space reserved, please let us know.
-For our area group meeting, collection can be arranged from a nearby station for those who would like to come by train.
-Visitors are always welcome at our area group meetings.
+You can either bring a packed lunch or nip out to somewhere locally, the town centre is about 5 minutes drive away.  There is a co-op shop a few minutes walk away.
-We will ask for a donation of £2 per head to cover teas/coffees and a donation to HMRS for our use of the room.
+We will have a Zoom connection for the morning meeting, for those who cannot come in person. I have added the Zoom link to the meeting info, so that it appears in your upcoming meetings on the MERG website.
-I will check and confirm if the buffet on site will be open on that day, serving refreshments, they have a range from light snacks to full meals. Alternatively, you can bring a packed lunch if you prefer.
+More details of parking and how to find the venue will be included in your confirmation email when you book your place.
-Steam trains will be running on the day between Butterley and Swanwick Junction, however the first train is not until 11:00 so too late to use it as transport to the meeting. Details of the timetable can be found here http://www.midlandrailway-butterley.co.uk/event/
+----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-The meeting room is upstairs, but HMRS have platform stair lift which I will double check is working, so step free access is available. The platform should accept a standard wheelchair, but will not take the larger mobility scooters. When confirming your place, please let us know if you have any mobility requirements.
-----
 **AGENDA**
@@ Line 540: / Line 364: @@
   * 10:00 - Arrival, Informal chat and get to know the other members
   * 10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions
-  * 10:45 - Decoder Pro - by Colin Head
+  * 10:35 - Introduction to the Kingsway Model Railway Society - Roger barker
+  * 10:45 - My CBUS & JMRI journey - Julian Pratt (held over from the previous meeting)
-  * Decoder Pro is part of the JMRI software program, and can be used to set up the CV settings on DCC locos.  Colin will show how this is done with live demonstrations.
   * 11:30 - Tea/coffee break
-  * 12:00 - CBUS on Kimble - by John Gowers
+  * 11:45 - Kit locker update - news about MERG kits - Judi Rastall
+  * 12:15 - CBUS update - developments and things I am working on - Pete Brownlow
-  * John will describe his trials and tribulations implementing MERG DCC and CBUS on the 'O' gauge "Kimble" exhibition layout at the Leamington & Warwick Model Railway Society.
+  * 13:00 - LUNCH BREAK
-  * 13:00 - MERG Kit locker Update - Judi Rastall – News on new/updated kits, availability, what is coming soon.
+  * 14:00 - 16:30 ish - Demonstrations and practical problems help clinic
-  * 13:30 - LUNCH BREAK
+The Kingsway Model Railway Society 00 gauge layout will be open and running, this uses the MERG DCC system and CBUS. The N gauge layout will also be set up.
-  * 14:30 - 16:30 ish - Making it work - Practical session and problem clinic
+We will of course have our usual problem clinic providing General help on problems with kits or other electronic projects, building, testing, problem solving etc. There will also be the chance to operate the Kingsway 00 gauge layout using the MERG DCC system.
-----
+----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-During introductions, we like to go round the room and each member can give a very brief summary (about 30 seconds max) of who they are, where they are from, what they are modelling in. Also please tell us what subject you would like to see at a future meeting.
-For the practical sessions, as we have done before, if you have built something and would like any help and advice, please bring it along and we'll work on it with you as a demonstration for everyone.
-If you already know what you want help on for this session, please email the details in advance so we can gen-up on it and look like we know what we are talking about!
-If you would like to come, please send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk or post a message in the East Midlands Area group section of the MERG forum. I will add you to the list and, in due course, you will get a reply with full address details, directions to the venue and parking information. Let us know if you need a lift from a nearby station.
-(Those who have already let me know that you are coming, I will be sending out confirmation emails in the next day or so.)
+If you would like to come, please send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk or post a message in the East Midlands Area group section of the MERG forum. I will add you to the list and, in a day or two, you will get a reply with full details, directions to the venue and parking information. Even if you are not sure yet whether you can get along, please let us know anyway so we can plan for likely numbers.
+(Those who have already let me know that you are coming, I will be sending out confirmation emails in the next day or two).
 ----
+====== FEBRUARY 2022 East Midlands MERG Area Group FACE to FACE meeting ======
+**Saturday 26th February 2022 from 10:00**
-====== AUGUST MERG East Midlands area group meeting ======
+This meeting is Kindly hosted by the The Bassetlaw (North Notts) Railway Society at their clubrooms on Retford Railway Station.
-**Saturday 11th August 2018 from 10:00**
+Thanks to MERG and Bassetlaw Railway Society member Julian Pratt for arranging the venue for us.
-Kindly hosted by David Straker at his place in Leicester.
+The Bassetlaw Railway Society are not charging us for the use of the room, but we will ask for a donation of £2 per head to cover the cost of teas & coffees and make a donation to the Society.
-Weather permitting, there will be an opportunity to see and operate David's 'O' gauge garden layout, Victoria to Beckenham Junction.
+Parking is available in the station car park at a cost of £5. You can of course come by train to Retford Station.
-Collection can be arranged from Leicester station for those who would like to come by train.
+If we can get a Wi-Fi connection at the venue, we will have a Zoom connection for the morning meeting, for those who cannot come in person. However, I understand we are reliant on the LNER hosted Wi-Fi at the station, so we don't yet know if this will be possible.
-Tea and coffee will be provided, please bring your own packed lunch, .
+Numbers will be limited to 20, to ensure reasonable separation. Mask wearing is now optional, please make your own choice. We would recommend that everyone takes a lateral flow test before coming.
-The meeting is on the ground floor and easily accessible with no steps.
@@ Line 594: / Line 409: @@
 The meeting will be informal and flexible, so these are approximate times:
-  * 10:00 Arrival, Informal chat and get to know the other members
+  * 10:00 - Arrival, Informal chat and get to know the other members
-  * 10:30 Welcome - David Straker
+  * 10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions
-  * 10:45 Introductions and group news
+  * 10:40 - The Bassetlaw (North Notts) Railway Society - Julian Pratt
-  * 11:10 Kit locker Update - Judi Rastall
+  * 10:50 - Different cabs for the MERG DCC system - Simon West, John Gowers & Pete Brownlow
-  * 11:30 Short coffee break
+  * 11:30 - Tea/coffee break
-  * 11:45 What I'm doing and planning with DCC and CBUS - Pete Brownlow
+  * 11:45 - Different cabs for the MERG DCC system - continued
+  * 12:15 - Kit locker update - Judi Rastall
+  * 12:30 - My CBUS & JMRI journey - Julian Pratt
+  * 13:00 - LUNCH BREAK
-  * 12:30 Lunch - bring your own packed lunch (tea and coffee provided)
+  * 14:00 - 16:30 ish - Demonstrations, soldering clinic and practical problems help clinic
-  * 13:30 A chance to operate David Straker's 'O' gauge garden railway
+The cabs session will cover basic how to use the MERG DCC system, circuit designs, the standard MERG CANCAB and other variations designed by members.
-  * in parallel with:
-  * 13:30 Making it work - our usual problem solving clinic
+During the afternoon John Gowers will provide a soldering clinic, both through hole and surface mount.
-  * 16:00 “Wrap up” discussion, confirm next meeting and thanks to our host
+We will of course have our usual problem clinic providing General help on problems with kits or other electronic projects, building, testing, problem solving etc.
+----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----
+If you would like to come, please send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk or post a message in the East Midlands Area group section of the MERG forum. I will add you to the list and, in a few days, you will get a reply with full details, directions to the venue and parking information. Even if you are not sure yet whether you can get along, please let us know anyway so we can plan for likely numbers.
+(Those who have already let me know that you are coming, I will be sending out confirmation emails in the next few days.)
-This will the last meeting organised by me as area group leader, so hopefully somebody would like to step in and take over that roll.
-Judi will have some kits for purchase, but can only bring a selection so If you want any specific kits, you would be best to order them in advance from the kit locker and specify collection at the Leicester area group meeting at the checkout page.
-For the clinic session, as we have done before, if you have built something and would like any help and advice, please bring it along and we'll work on it with you as a demonstration for everyone. If you know in advance what you would like to get sorted, let us know in advance so we can gen up on it.
-If you would like to come, please send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk or post a message in the East Midlands Area group section of the MERG forum. You will get a reply with full address details and directions to the venue. (If you have already done so - you should have received your confirmation email - please contact us if you have not received it)
-If you would like to come by train, please let us know if you need a lift from the station. If coming by train, please plan to arrive at Leicester station by 09:30 so that whoever comes to pick you up does not have to miss any of the meeting.
-All visitors, and MERG members from outside the East Midlands, are always welcome at our area group meetings.
 ----
+====== JANUARY 2022 East Midlands ONLINE area group meeting ======
+Here is the agenda for our January 2022 online area group meeting.
-====== SUMMER 2018 MERG East Midlands area group meeting ======
+**Saturday 15th January from 10:00**
-**Sunday 15th July 2018 from 10:00**
+This meeting will be online using Zoom.
-Kindly hosted by Judi Rastall at her place in Sutton on Sea.
+As before, we have found that breaks of roughly 10-15 mins per hour worked well, to avoid people getting fatigued from staring at their screens, so we will plan to do the same again.
-Come to the seaside for our Summer meeting! The weather forecast is hot and sunny.
+----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-The venue is about 5 minutes walk from the Prom, so you might like to bring the family for a day by the seaside, whilst we get on with the far more important stuff! Partners and families are welcome to use the other room for teas/coffees etc. whilst we are having the meeting.
-Judi can accommodate up to 20 people, so bookings are first come first served. If we become fully booked, we will keep a waiting list in case of cancellations. Note that the 20 limit is for the room where we have the meeting, any partners or family who would like to come along for a day at the seaside are additional to the 20 limit.
-If you would like to come, please let us know as soon as possible. If you do decide at the last minute, it is still worth getting in touch as, with the longer distance that most have to travel, the numbers are usually less than more centrally located meetings.
-Most of you will know that Judi is our Kit Sales Manager. This is an opportunity to see the huge MERG kit operation, how Judi manages the stock, processes the orders and sends out all those kits.
-Sutton on Sea is on the east coast of Lincolnshire between Skegness and Grimsby. Parking is available on street near the venue. We have scheduled this meeting before the start of the peak summer season. Once the school holidays start, from late July, parking becomes much more difficult and there will be long queues on all roads into the resort on a Saturday morning – so come and enjoy the seaside before the mad summer rush.
-This venue is less convenient for arrival by train. The nearest railhead is Skegness which is at the end of a long branch line and is an hour round trip from Sutton.
-Tea and Coffee will be available, lunch can be purchased from local fish and chip shops (which are open on a Sunday), or bring your own if you prefer.
-Judi has been progressing her loft railway, so you can have a look at how it is getting on. It is OO gauge DCC, visiting locos and stock are welcome.
-----
 **AGENDA**
@@ Line 663: / Line 453: @@
 The meeting will be informal and flexible, so these are approximate times:
-  * 10:00 Arrival, Informal chat and get to know the other members
+  * 10:00 - Get connected, sort out any microphone/audio/video issues, have a chat.
-  * 10:30 Introductions and group news
+  * 10:30 - Welcome and Introductions
-  * 11:00 The Great Model Railway Challenge - TV Series - my experience By Marcus Dawson
+  * 10:45 - - CBUS miscellany - Pete Brownlow
-  * 11:45 Short coffee break
-  * 12:00 Update from the committee – Martin Perry
-  * 12:30 MERG kit news by Judi Rastall – News on new/updated kits, availability, what is coming
-  * 12:30 Progress on my layout - Judi Rastall - an update on progress with the loft layout
+    * Latest CANMO (Universal) firmware release
+    * Using RFID and Railcom in JMRI
+    * CBUS control panels for Burnden Park
+    * Any other CBUS updates
-  * 13:15 Lunch - Fish and chips from the local shops or bring your own
+  * 11:30 - Tea/coffee break (make your own!)
+  * 11:45 - Kit locker update - Judi Rastall
+  * 12:00 - Lunch break
+  * 13:00 - QnA and anyone looking for advice and help on any projects
+----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-  * 14:30 Afternoon sessions:
+For the QnA sessions, if you have built something and would like any help and advice, please be ready to wave it at the camera, and we'll see what help and advice we can give from afar.
-  *    - The MERG kit locker by Judi Rastall – guided tours
-  *    - Running session on Judi's loft layout
-  *    - Making it work - our usual problem solving clinic
-  *    - Help with soldering and kit construction
-  *    - Or just relax in the sunshine in the garden
-----
+If you would like to join in, please go to the MERG website, select the menu option MEMBER LINKS->MY UPCOMING EVENTS, or go directly to https://merg.org.uk/membership/summary.php, and you should see the details of this meeting together with the Zoom link to join in (Note- I updated the link earlier this week as there was a problem with the original one posted)
+Please don't share the Zoom links with anyone outside MERG, or post them on any public social media or web page.
-Kits will, of course, be available for purchase. If you have specific requirements, then it would be best to pre-order what you want from Judi for collection at the meeting, as popular kits can go out of stock quickly.
+If you cannot see the details for East Midlands area group meetings, go to https://www.merg.org.uk/membership and make sure you are subscribed to the East Midlands area group. There is no requirement that you live in the East Midlands, any member can subscribe and join in. If you would like to introduce a visitor to the meeting, please email their details to eastmids@merg.org.uk.
-For the clinic session, as we have done before, if you have built something and would like any help and advice, please bring it along and we'll work on it with you as a demonstration for everyone. If you know in advance what you would like to get sorted, let us know in advance so we can gen up on it.
+If you still can't get the Zoom link, send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk and I'll email you the Zoom link.
-The venue is reasonably accessible, there are a couple of shallow steps up through the front door and a step down into the kitchen of 5". The width of the kitchen doorway is 29". Please advise if you need any assistance.
+I will send out the usual reminder email to everyone subscribed to the area group soon, it will go automatically to everyone who is subscribed to this area group.
-To access the loft layout, you do need to be able to climb up the loft ladder, so this will not be possible for everybody. Judi will give a talk about her progress during the morning session, with the option to visit and operate the layout in the afternoon for those who can access it.
-Please note that Judi is owned by her two Kit Cats who will be in attendance, so anyone who has any feline allergy or intolerance should be aware of this.
-If you would like to come, and have not already done so, please send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk or post a message in the East Midlands Area group section of the MERG forum. You will get a reply in due course with full address details and directions to the venue.
-If you have already emailed or posted that you are coming, you should get your confirmation email in the next few days.
 ----
+====== Details of Earlier East Midlands Area Group meetings ======
-====== MAY 2018 MERG East Midlands area group meeting ======
+[[areagroups:emag:eastmidsarchivedmeetings|Details of previous East Midlands Area Group meetings]]\\
+and [[areagroups:emag:eastmid|Details of more previous East Midlands Area Group meetings]]\\
+NB. These links are for MERG members only.
-**Saturday 26th May 2018 from 9:30**
-Kindly hosted by the Nene Valley Railway in their Study Centre meeting room at Wansford
-Thanks to Russ Jenner for organising the venue for us.
-These arrangements are provisional, as some details still have to be finalised with the speakers.
-**AGENDA**
-With lots of good stuff on the agenda, We've gone for a slightly earlier start - since most people usually get there early anyway!
-----
-  * 09:00 Members arrival, Informal chat and get to know the other members
-  * 09:30 Introductions and group news
-  * 09:45 Introduction to the CBUS CANMIO - Pete Brownlow
-  * 10:00 The Universal CANMIO firmware - Ian Hogg
-  * 11:00 Coffee Break
-  * 11:30 MERG Kit news - Judi Rastall
-  * 12:00 Lunch (early as the NVR cafe may be busy)
-  * 13:00 3D printing - Howard Watkins
-  * 14:30 Split out for afternoon practical clinics:
-       * Setting up the Universal CANMIO with Ian Hogg
-       * 3D printing with Howard Watkins
-       * General kit problem solving with the usual team
-----
-We will ask for £2 per head to cover the room hire cost and £1 each in the "honesty box" will cover as many teas and coffees as you want all day. This money will all go to the Nene Valley Railway.
-Kits will be available for purchase. If you have specific requirements, then it would be best to pre-order what you want from the kit locker for collection at the meeting, as Judi can only bring a selection of stock to the meeting.
-The NVR cafe will be open from about 8:30 for bacon butties or full breakfast, and also open at lunchtime. However, as it is a bank holiday running weekend at NVR, it may be very busy. For that reason, we have scheduled lunch early, and we may make arrangements to pre-order during the morning.
-The meeting room is step-free accessible. If you need a disabled parking space reserved close up, please let us know.
-For those who would like to come by train, we can arrange to collect you from Peterborough station or, if you can get there early enough, I can collect from Wellingborough station on my way to the meeting about 7:30am.
-If you would like to come, please send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk or post a message in the East Midlands Area group section of the MERG forum. You will get a reply in due course with full address details and directions to the venue.
-Members from outside the East Midlands are always welcome at our meetings, as are visitors. Please just let us know you are coming so we can plan for the numbers expected.
-----
-====== FEBRUARY 2018 MERG East Midlands area group meeting ======
-**Sunday 4th Febrary 2018 from 10:00**
-Kindly hosted by the Syston Model Railway Society at their clubrooms at The Old School Community Centre, Thurmaston, Leicestershire
-Thanks to SMRS and MERG member Mike Collins for arranging this venue for us.
-Due to when the venue is available, we are trying a Sunday this time. The Pros are that members who have Saturday commitments, such as football fans or those working in retail, might be able to get along. The downside is that the local chip shop is not open on a Sunday, so you'll need to bring a packed lunch, and arriving by train might be more difficult due to Sunday services starting later than on a Saturday.
-Collection can be arranged from Syston station for those who would like to come by train.
-Tea and coffee will be available.
-We will ask for a donation of £2 per head to cover the room hire.
-The meeting room is on the ground floor and easily accessible. The clubrooms housing the SMRS layouts are upstairs.
-**AGENDA**
-The meeting will be informal and flexible, so these are approximate times:
-  * 10:00 Arrival, Informal chat and get to know the other members
-  * 10:30 Welcome to SMRS - by Mike Collins
-  * 10:35 Introductions and group news
-  * 11:00 Update on progress with my new automated layout by Colin Head
-  * 11:30 Tea/coffee break (or recovery time if we are running late)
-  * 11:45 Kit locker update - Judi Rastall
-  * 12:15 What's new and coming soon in JMRI latest versions - Pete Brownlow
-  * 13:00 Lunch - Bring your own
-Also a chance to see the SMRS layouts on site
-  * 14:00 Making it work - practical sessions using members projects, MERG kits or anything else.
-  * 16:30 Wrap-up discussion, confirm next meeting and thanks to our hosts
-  * 16:35 Carry on with anything else we havn't fixed yet until we get thown out!
-----
-Kits will be available for purchase. If you have specific requirements, then it would be best to pre-order what you want from the kit locker for collection at the meeting, as Judi can only bring a selection of stock to the meeting.
-For the practical sessions, as we have done before, if you have built something and would like any help and advice, please bring it along and we'll work on it with you as a demonstration for everyone.
-If you already know what you want help on for this session, please email the details in advance so we can gen-up on it and look like we know what we are talking about!
-If we didn't quite have time to get your project properly sorted at the last meeting, please bring it along again and you will be top of the list.
-If you would like to come, please send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk or post a message in the East Midlands Area group section of the MERG forum. You will get a reply in due course with full address details, directions to the venue and parking information. Let us know if you need a lift from the station.
-MERG members and visitors from anywhere are always welcome at our meetings, you don't have to live in the East Midlands to come!
-----
-[[public:eastmidsarchivedmeetings|Details of previous East Midlands Area Group meetings]]
+{{tag>AGS_1}}