I run a monthly retro computer event in Falkirk, central Scotland. It is fairly Acorn centric (BBC Micro, Acorn Electron, Atom, and Archimedes/RISC OS machines) but we welcome all retro machine owners and we regularly have Sinclair machines on show. It's a small community of like-minded individuals, meeting in a comfortable and modern setting – the Falkirk Business Hub, in central Falkirk, Scotland.
Each event brings around 10-17 owners of retro machines each month.
It costs £6 and requires registration at the Retrorendezvous website here:-
https://retrorendezvous.org/apr2024
Thursday 25th April 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.
April 2024 Special Focus : Adventure Games 
I'll be including a specially written version of "The Hobbit" - "Exploring Wilderland" written in BASIC on a BBC Micro that allows you to explore the original map of the game and it includes NPCs (remember Thorin and Gandalf?) with some additional programming to make them a little more...unpredictable. Just like in the original - wild things may happen! I'll include a kiosk powerpoint on how I approached this coding project.
I'll also have various adventure games running on a 128K Spectrum Toastrack.
Bring along your own favourite text adventure/graphic adventure game and experience text/graphic adventures the way they were meant to be played—on vintage hardware! We’ll have setups ready for you to step back in time and immerse yourself in nostalgia.
🕹 Event Limitation:
Unfortunately we can't allow use of soldering irons at this event due to fire alarm / fire safety constraints.
Please do not bring hardware that you think may have the potential to blow capacitors.
Date & Time:Thursday 25th April 2024 7:00PM running until 10:00PM
Location: Falkirk Business Hub45 Vicar St, Falkirk FK1 1LL
Access : use the side door on Vicar Street. This also has disabled access.
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 are two recommended car parks:-i) Weir street car park which is next to the venue. Free parking in the evenings
ii) Melville street - one street away - also free in the evenings.