Retro Rendezvous

Connect, Collaborate and Code

Acorn users

Master Maintenance Mini-Meetup : Wed July 29th 2026

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Master Maintenance Mini Meet-Up

Date: Wednesday, 29th July 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM

A relaxed morning of retro computing

Following the success of our recent I.T. Crowd (Scotland) day event, we’re trying something a little different.

Rather than a full-day gathering, this is an informal half-day workbench session where a small group of enthusiasts can get together to work on retro computing projects, exchange ideas, solve problems, and simply enjoy spending time with fellow hobbyists.

My own project for the morning will be giving a BBC Master some well-deserved TLC—cleaning the case and keyboard and generally freshening it up—hence the title of the event!

Bring a Project

Although the session is inspired by BBC Master maintenance, all retro computing projects are welcome.

Whether you’re:

  • Restoring a favourite machine
  • Cleaning or repairing hardware
  • Installing upgrades
  • Experimenting with software
  • Troubleshooting an elusive fault
  • Or simply want to show your latest retro project

…you’ll be very welcome.

Sometimes the best conversations happen when everyone is gathered around a workbench.

A More Informal Format

The emphasis is on collaborative tinkering, sharing knowledge, helping one another, and enjoying a relaxed morning of retro computing.

Around lunchtime we’ll head to Finnegans Café, located within the Falkirk Business Hub, for lunch and a catch-up before finishing around 1:30 pm.

Registration

We’ll be using the Hub’s free meeting table, which comfortably accommodates around three people.

So the first two registrations will be free.

If additional members would like to attend, extra workspaces are available from the Falkirk Business Hub for £10 (+VAT) per four-hour desk rental, allowing the session to expand if required.

Please register here on this website to let us know you’re planning to attend.

Everyone Welcome

As always, this is a platform-agnostic gathering.

Whether your interests are Acorn, Sinclair, Commodore, Atari, Amstrad, Apple, MSX, Dragon, Tatung Einstein—or almost any other classic computer—you’ll be among friends.

Venue

Falkirk Business Hub
45 Vicar Street
Falkirk
FK1 1LL

The venue is just a short walk from Grahamston railway station and has excellent road links from the M9. Parking is available nearby, and the Hub offers lift access, accessible facilities, and an excellent on-site café.

We hope this will become an occasional extra event between our regular I.T. Crowd (Scotland) day meetings—a chance to keep projects moving, learn from one another, and enjoy Scotland’s growing retro computing community.

Falkirk Business Hub exterior

The I.T. Crowd (Scotland) : Acorn User Computer Group Feb 2024

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This is a gathering for lovers of retro microcomputers, especially those fond of the BBC Micro, Acorn Electron, Atom, and Archimedes/RISC OS machines. This event is aimed at bringing together a community of like-minded individuals in a comfortable and modern setting – the Falkirk Business Hub, in central Falkirk, Scotland.

To emphasise this event is open to all with an interest in Acorn computers!

Thursday 29th February 2024 7:00PM running until 10:00PM

🕹 Event Features:

This is an informal gathering for…

  • – Show and Tell: Bring your own hardware to display and discuss with others.
  • – Collaborative Working: Spend time on hardware, programming, or gaming projects.
  • – Knowledge Exchange: Share ideas, insights, and skills with other enthusiasts.
  • – Advice on Repair and Upgrade: Reviving poorly Acorn machines.
  • – Socialize and Enjoy : There’s a kitchen for coffee, tea and biscuits. We’re in the town centre for bars, pubs and restaurants for potential afterwards gatherings.

🔎 February 2024 Special Focus : Restoration Workshop

Bring in a machine that you’re still repairing or can’t get to work and talk to the group to get advice about next steps for it’s restoration and some hands-on learning. You may be able to  get the computer tested, get advice on cleaning or replacing components and best sources for obtaining those components.

💻 All Are Welcome:
While the event is Acorn-centric, we could welcome enthusiasts of other retro machines as well.

📅 Date & Time:
Thursday 29th February 2024 7:00PM running until 10:00PM

📍 Location: Falkirk Business Hub

45 Vicar St, Falkirk FK1 1LL
Nearest car park (opposite building) : weir street

Access : use the side door on Vicar Street. This also has disabled access.

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https://falkirkbusinesshub.co.uk/ – a contemporary venue centrally located, just a 2-minute walk from Grahamston Train Station and with seamless access to the M9 motorway between Stirling and Edinburgh. Numerous bars and restaurants are nearby for post-event socializing.
There is a car park next to the building which is free in the evenings.
Building includes disabled access and lifts.

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The I.T. Crowd (Scotland) : Acorn Computer User Group Nov 2023

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This is an informal gathering for lovers of retro machines, especially those fond of the BBC Micro, Acorn Electron, Atom, and Archimedes/RISC OS machines. This event is aimed at bringing together a community of like-minded individuals in a comfortable and modern setting – the Falkirk Business Hub, in central Falkirk, Scotland.

To emphasise this event is open to all with an interest in Acorn computers!

Date/Time : Thursday 23rd November 7:00PM-10:00PM

🕹 Event Features:

This is an informal gathering for…

  • – Show and Tell: Bring your own hardware to display and discuss with others.
  • – Collaborative Working: Spend time on hardware, programming, or gaming projects.
  • – Knowledge Exchange: Share ideas, insights, and skills with other enthusiasts.
  • – Advice on Repair and Upgrade: Reviving poorly Acorn machines.
  • – Socialize and Enjoy : There’s a kitchen for coffee, tea and biscuits. We’re in the town centre for bars, pubs and restaurants for potential afterwards gatherings.

🎄The Christmas Edition : Extra Features 🎄

  • – Introductions – we’ll have an introductions segment for about 30 minutes so each user can tell us a bit more about themselves such as:-
    • – Their kit
    • – How their Acorn machine influenced their career path.
    • – A current project
    • – A favourite past retro memory
    • – What retro item they’d love for Christmas.
  • – Christmas theme – celebrate Christmas by using one of these ideas:-

  1. – Acorn Christmas Graphics: Program graphics that showcase snowflakes, Christmas trees, or Santa Claus animations, utilizing the unique capabilities of Acorn computers.
  2. – Retro Gaming Corner: Bring a classic Acorn Christmas-themed games or holiday mod of a popular game. 
  3. – Christmas BASIC Caroling: Recreate a classic Christmas carol using the Acorn’s sound capabilities and BASIC language. 

💻 All Are Welcome:
While the event is Acorn-centric, we could welcome enthusiasts of other retro machines as well.

📅 Date & Time:
Thursday 23rd November 7:00PM running until 10:00PM

📍 Location: Falkirk Business Hub

45 Vicar St, Falkirk FK1 1LL
Nearest car park (opposite building) : weir street

Access : use the side door on Vicar Street. This also has disabled access.

Image

https://falkirkbusinesshub.co.uk/ – a contemporary venue centrally located, just a 2-minute walk from Grahamston Train Station and with seamless access to the M9 motorway between Stirling and Edinburgh. Numerous bars and restaurants are nearby for post-event socializing.
There is a car park next to the building which is free in the evenings.
Building includes disabled access and lifts.

Image