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1997-06-21
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110 lines
∙°∙°∙°∙°∙°∙°∙°∙°∙°∙°∙∙°∙°∙°∙°∙°∙
∙ ∙
∙ LET'S FORM A COMPUTER CLUB ∙
∙ ∙
∙ by Mike Richards ∙
∙ ∙
∙°∙°∙°∙°∙°∙°∙°∙°∙°∙°∙∙°∙°∙°∙°∙°∙
Back in the dark and misty days when computers cost an arm and a
leg, a little chap named Clive Sinclair made a home computer (the ZX80),
which he retailed as a kit for about £100. I would have loved one but
the price was still too high. Then, in 1981 he introduced the ZX81, and
I just had to have one! It was great; my 5 children and myself had many
a happy hour on it, as well as their friends.
The XZ81 was later exchanged for a Spectrum, and what more could you
want? (Don't forget, we're talking about 5 kids, their friends, and one
Spectrum...) You've guessed it - another Specky. This worked well for 7
days a week, for 3 to 4 months, but one wet, cold and windy August Bank
Holiday I had had enough. So I suggested we form a Computer Club and
meet twice a week. But where? I wanted peace and quit, and a chance to
use my computer.
I made all the usual approaches, village hall, church and chapel
rooms, but the hire fee was too high. What could we do? One day, while
shopping in the local Co-op I mentioned my problem to the Manager. He
suggested that I write to the regional office (Public Relations Officer)
and see if they could help me.
So I drafted a letter to explain that I wanted to form a club where
the youngsters could use their computers for education and programming.
I also explained that the rent would need to be low as they would all be
under 17 years of age.
The Co-op did us proud. As long as we used the name Co-op in our
club title we could have the room rent-free until further notice. They
even bought us a Dragon 32, to help us get started.
So in August 1984, the "Roche Co-op Computer Club" was born with 27
members aged 9 to 16. (Except for yours truly who was 21 +++++.) We met
on Monday and Friday evenings, 7 to 10pm; we were an all formats club
with Orics, BBCs, Texas T1.9, ZX81s, but the main machines were
Spectrums.
Our only rules were:
1: Members had to own a computer (brothers & sisters to have 1
computer between them).
2: If a member misbehaved, or used other peoples' machines without
permission, then on the 3rd reprimand they would be dismissed.
3: The membership fee was £1.00 per year.
We had a small committee, 2 boys 2 girls, and myself as chairman. It
worked well, and in the first two years we only dismissed one member, but
we made quite a few changes. Monday night became games night, Friday
night was programming, art and business programs, and for the last hour
of each meeting they did what they liked. It worked well.
In late '86 to early '87 things changed. Our membership had been 30
- 40, but it suddenly dropped off. Looking back, a lot of boys had grown
out of computers and found girlfriends, and the few girls we had seemed to
have interest and discovered boys. Would the club live or die?
It was at that time that we changed our name to the "Mid Cornwall
Co-op Computer Club", and we are now the biggest and oldest club in the
South West of England.
Thank God for BBC Local Radio! There's a small program on Radio
Cornwall called "Helpline - What's on and Where to Go.", and I had used
it in the past to get hold of a few secondhand TVs for the club. So I
started to advertise club meetings on it. It worked well, and most of
our new members were in the 25 to 30 age group, and included a couple of
teachers. This made the club and it has grown from strength to strength.
The meetings were reduced to Fridays only, our average age now is 38 and
we have 26 members - all using STs.
I wonder what the next 10 years will bring? Will we all become
Falcon owners in 93 - 94? Our Club members are always willing to
exchange hints, tips and PD, and I will be pleased to help anyone who
wants to start up a club.
A couple of things that I forgot: our club rules have never
changed, but in 1989 I did have to expel one member for pinching other
members' discs - he was 46. In 1988 we increased membership to 5 pounds
a year.
Well, it's Friday, 6.30pm and I'm off to the Club - see you there!
Mike Richards
8 Victoria Rd
Roche
St Austell
Cornwall
PL26 8JF
~~~~~eof~~~~~