MERG Somerset Area Group

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How do I contact the Somerset Area Group

Click to send us a message,
MERG Somerset Area Group contact form

Who are the leaders of the group?

M1925 Paul Howes Group Leader
M4418 Anthony Braithwaite Deputy Group Leader
M6456 Malcolm Asker Group Communications Officer

Can I join you today?

First Join MERG here

Then make sure you join the Somerset Area Group when you are signed up and bolster the 240 members currently subscribed to our Area Group.

Join the Somerset Area Group

Select Somerset Area Group from the drop down list in Other Area Groups and press the Subscribe to Area Group button.

How do you meet?

The group normally meets on the first Saturday of every month between 10am and 1pm in Yeovil, Somerset. Meetings include some or all of the following:

A presentation
A session on a group project
A practical workshop

Occasionally we meet from 10am to 4pm for an extended workshop session. Dates for meetings are held in the MERG meetings diary unless otherwise stated or see When are the next Meetings? below.

The meetings are normally held at St James Church, Preston Road, Yeovil. Anyone wishing to attend a meeting can get directions from the group via the contact form.

The group also meets two weeks later on a Friday every month between 11am and 12noon via Zoom
This meeting is called a “Coffee Break” which as the name implies is a relaxed chat about all sorts of topics which could include you jit problem, your layout, the meeting etc.

COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS FOR GATHERINGS Due to the pandemic meetings are currently subject restrictions such as wearing a mask in the hall (no need outside) with hall subject to increased ventilation with doors and windows open.

Do you hold workshops?

“Yes we do, sometimes together with a meeting sometimes a separate event.”

Members bring their own kits to assemble with help from others in the group where required
Members bring their own built kit for where they have failed to get it working or need to share test equipment
Any electronic circuit is welcome not just MERG kits
Members work on the current group projects together
Members interconnect working kits and add hardware to learn how kits can work together

What do you do at your coffee break meetings?

Members of the group meet online via Zoom software and share what they have been up to showing examples of kits they have built, railway related construction projects, ask questions where they had issues and generally help each other with advice and comments. There is a fair amount of chat and banter as members enjoy themselves in a light and friendly atmosphere.

When are the next meetings?

Date	Event	Description	Location
10:00 02-Oct	MERG Somerset Area Group Meeting	Take 2 of the SMD meeting we had in September. The meeting will be an SMD soldering workshop. Members should bring one or more kits with SMD devices and equipment so that they and all members can have a go. We hope each member needing assistance with their SMD kit can be helped by those who can solder these devices.	St James Church Hall, Preston Road Yeovil BA21 3RL
11:00 15-Oct	MERG Somerset Area Group Virtual Coffee Break	This is an online coffee break where members can relax and chat among themselves about Projects, Progress, Problems and Successes.	Online Zoom Meeting
10:00 06-Nov	MERG Somerset Area Group Meeting	This session will concentrate on Prototyping methods and equipment where Ron and others will demonstrate how they convert the circuit in their head into a test circuit. This is mainly a practical session so bring your tools and equipment to be sure of contributing.	St James Church Hall, Preston Road Yeovil BA21 3RL

If you are already a MERG member, then You need to subscribe to the Somerset Area Group which ensures you get an emailed invite to all the above meetings