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Yorkshire
Hi Roboteers,
I have volunteered to act as a deputy for Kevin Scott to organise meetings for roboteers in Yorkshire.This is not intended to be exclusively for Yorkshire people, and roboteers from Greater Manchester, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire (and elsewhere) would be welcome.Kevins contacts and my own are limited, so please pass on this invitation to anyone else who might be interested.
The first meeting will be held in the Founders Bar at the George Hotel in Huddersfield at 7.30pm on Saturday 3rd April.The George is in the centre of Huddersfield.It is across the road from the Huddersfield Railway Station and only 300m from the Bus Station.There islimited free hotel car parking on the railway side of the hotel, and a larger pay car park associated with the station.
If you havent yet had an invitation, drop me an email and I will send you maps showing how to get there.
The address of the hotel is:-
The George Hotel
St.Georges Square
Huddersfield
West Yorkshire
HD1 1JA
Tel: 01484 515444
The provisional agenda is:-
1.Welcome and Introductions
2.Report from Kevin Scott, a member of the FRA Executive, with a discussion on the future of fighting robot competitions.
3.My robot - A volunteer (could this be you?)gives a 15 minute round-up of how his/her robot was designed and made, and what is promised for the future.
4. Exchange of information/equipment between roboteers.
Do let me know if you think that you will be able to attend.
Best wishes,
Jeremy Cuss
Email: jeremy.cuss@btopenworld.com
Tel (Home): 01484 658440
Tel (Mobile): 0797 36338819
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Yorkshire
Ill be there with the Lincs posse.
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Yorkshire
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Yorkshire
Pete of Agent Orange fame has offered to do the My Robot bit for the Yorkshire meeting on 3rd Feb. Come along to hear how those hydraulic jaws worked.
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Yorkshire
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Yorkshire
Think you mean 3rd april Jeremy :)
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Yorkshire
Lee,
Youre right, of course. Sorry!
Jeremy
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Yorkshire
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Yorkshire
This ones actually nearer than the last north west one. Just have to check the dates but should be able to come along to this one if youll let outsiders in.
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Yorkshire
Mark,
The more the merrier. There are now 12 confirmed attendees for the FRA Social in Huddersfield on 3rd April.
Jeremy
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Yorkshire
We will have to open the gate for you Mark but you got to promise to close it when you go back through :)
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Yorkshire
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Yorkshire
Im delighted that we have 12 or more coming to the FRA social in Huddersfield (7.30pm, 3rd April). Give me a ring on my mobile (0797 36338819) if you get lost. We will probably be just on your right as you go in the main doors of the George Hotel.
Kevin has said that he will give us an update on the executive meetings and Pete Duncanson has agreed to do a bit on his Agent Orange robot. I will bring a few bits that I will be using on my new robot to pass around.
Best wishes,
Jeremy
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Yorkshire
We had a very good evening at the George Hotel in Huddersfield this evening. There were 19 people there - possibly a record for an FRA social. Kevin Scott gave us a view of the national FRA scene, reminded us of the reasons for setting up the FRA, and told us about the proposals for a 4-day national event in place of Series 8 in August 2004. He also went over the calendar of other FRA events. Jim McArthur volunteered to improve the layout and presentation of the up-coming events on the web-site. Kevin explained that there would be elections for the President and Chair of the FRA in the next few weeks. He hoped that anyone who was not yet a member would support the FRA and get their membership in soon. (The application form is on this website.)
There was a discussion about the new FRA requirement for a running light, and another about the forthcoming tether rule. Kevin believed that it was proving very difficult to write down this rule, and because of this it could not be enforced. However he encouraged all roboteers to build in such safety features themselves. That way others could see and learn how it could be done.
Some roboteers had brought robot components with them, and these were passed round. There was a discussion about the pressure rating of the Burkert 5404 0.5 valve. It was nominally 50barg. Jeremy Cuss, in discussion with the manufacturers, had established that it would switch up to 55barg with only 21.6 volts on the coil. Magmotors and a Roboteq 2250 controller were also passed around.
The George Hotel was a comfortable place to hold the meeting. It was easy to find, and easy to park. (It is also next door to the Railway Station.) We decided to hold another meeting in Huddersfield in 2 months time, on Saturday 5th June. It will probably be in the George Hotel again.
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Yorkshire
Jeremy as said it all. But i was dissapointed i thought that the mag motors and roboteq were raffle prizes. Joking apart it was a great turn out and a big thank you to Jeremy for setting it all up and thanks to all that did turn up on sutch a damp night see you all next time
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Yorkshire
See Notts ...Lincs thread for details of next social in southern end of the region.
Kev.
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Yorkshire
Hi Roboteers,
After out first meeting in April I agreed to organise another meeting in Huddersfield for roboteers on the first Saturday in June.I have moved the second meeting to the Albert Hotel because the George has a wedding reception on that evening.This meeting is not intended to be exclusively for Yorkshire people, and roboteers from Greater Manchester, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire (and elsewhere) would be welcome. Please pass this invitation to any other roboteers who would like to attend, and who dont read this forum.We got 19 people to the first meeting. and I hope to better that this time.
This meeting will be held in back room (the Dining Room) of the Albert Hotel in Huddersfield at 7.30pm on Saturday 5th June.The Albert is in the centre of Huddersfield, and can be found by reference to the attached maps. The hotel is close to the Town Hall - if you get lost.There is plenty of car parking space off Alfred St.
The address of the hotel is:-
The Albert Hotel
Victoria Lane
Huddersfield
West Yorkshire
HD1 2QF
Tel: 01484 421065
The provisional agenda is:-
1. Welcome and Introductions
2. Info from the FRA Executive, with an opportunity for feedback that will be passed to Kevin Scott our regional representative
3. The Design of Meaner Streak - A description with plans of what follows after Mean Streak from Huddersfields foremost roboteer, Del Meads
4. Exchange of information/equipment between roboteers.
Do let me know if you think that you will be able to attend, and I will send you a map with directions.
Best wishes,
Jeremy Cuss
Email: jeremy.cuss@btopenworld.com
Tel (Home): 01484 658440
Tel (Mobile): 0797 36338819
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Yorkshire
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Yorkshire
Should be able to make it, but will have to verify with work. Anyone from lincs want a lift?
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Yorkshire
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Yorkshire
Sorry Jeremy, I am unable to make it this time, something to do with do you realise that for the last 5 years we have ended up doing something with robots on our wedding anniversary.
so, in the interest of world peace and as its our 24th, I have decided that this year I am going to not do something with robots!
I would also like to give early notice that I will not be available that weekend next year as its our silver, I dont think I will be able to get away with it.
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Yorkshire
Arthur,
As it was my 25th Wedding Anniversary last year, I do concur with your priorities. Have a good time.
Best wishes,
Jeremy
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Yorkshire
Jeremy,
Afraid Ill not be making it this time.
Hope its another good evening.
Gimme a call, I should be able to find a few snippits of news for you to share.
Kev
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Yorkshire
Our second FRA social in Huddersfield on 5th June at the Albert Hotel was an evening that everyone enjoyed. There were 9 roboteers there, including Derek Meads and the Mean Streak team, who gave us a rundown on their plans for a new Meaner Streak. There were impressive 3-D CAD drawings, showing the full mechanical arrangement for this triple spinner. It looks vicious, and is expected to be ready for the World Championships, although it has not been entered yet.
I provided some background from the last FRA Executive meeting, following my briefing from Kevin Scott. The World Championship has definitely transferred to RAF Newton from Manchester, and has been extended by 1 day, so that it is now August 24th-28th. The application list is just about full (although the format could be extended) and there are still some reserve places and additional slots available to people who apply promptly. Beware, you will be up against some serious teams from the USA and Europe.
The judges have been agreed as Noel Sharkey, Arthur Chilcott and Ray Tate. It will be televised over 6 nights on an un-named channel. There will be recognised names as the presenters.
Steve Woolsey kindly agreed to set up and manage a Robot Ladder on the FRA Website, and I am sure that this will be warmly welcomed as soon as the detailed rules have been agreed.
The next FRA regional social will be at Brewsters, near Lincoln, at 8pm on Saturday 3rd July.
The Mean Streak Team agreed to approach a local pub (The Rat and Ratchet) for the next Huddersfield meeting, where they were certain that a room could be obtained free. We decided that as many people would be away on holiday in early August to hold the next meeting in Huddersfield on Saturday, 4th September.
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Yorkshire
Hi Roboteers,
After our second meeting in June, Derek Meads kindly offered to get us a room in the Rat and Ratchet for our next meeting.This pub has an excellent reputation for the quality and variety of beers that it sells, as well as having a function room that we can use for free.It is just outside the Huddersfield ring road, and is easy to reach from both bus and train stations, as well as by car.
As you all know by now this meeting is not intended to be exclusively for Yorkshire people, and roboteers from Greater Manchester, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire (and elsewhere) are welcome. Please pass this invitation to any other roboteers who would like to attend, and who are not on my list of contacts.
This meeting will be held at 7.30pm on Saturday 4th September.The pub is on a road called Chapel Hill, and everyone in Huddersfield will be able to direct you to this road. The best car parking space is on Milford Street, if you are coming from the ring road.You need to walk across the main road (Chapel Hill) to get to the pub. If you are not on my direct email list, let me know and I will send you maps to get you to the pub.
The address of the hotel is:-
The Rat and Ratchet
40 Chapel Hill
Huddersfield
West Yorkshire
HD1 3EB
Tel: 01484 516734
The provisional agenda is:-
1. Welcome and Introductions
2. Discussion on Fighting Robot Arenas -The Next Move
3. Exchange of information/equipment between roboteers.
Do let me know if you think that you will be able to attend.
Best wishes,
Jeremy Cuss
Email: jeremy.cuss@btopenworld.com
Tel (Home): 01484 658440
Tel (Mobile): 0797 36338819
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Yorkshire
Ill be there work permitting, which at the minute, looks like a definate yes.
If anyone from over this way wants a lift, give me a yell (dont worry, wont be in my 20 year old VW :)).
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Yorkshire
Email on the profile is off, so use stephenwoolsey@yahoo.co.uk or give me a ring.
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Yorkshire
Just me and Jeremy then is it?
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Yorkshire
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Yorkshire
Tony,
Look forward to seeing you there.
Steve,
There are at least 6 promises, and a number of other possible attendees. See you there.
Jeremy
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Yorkshire
I was delighted with the attendance at our 3rd FRA Social on 4th September. The 14 roboteers present had a lively discussion in the well-appointed room above the bar at the Rat and Ratchet in Huddersfield. The new regional link-person, Trevor Wright, was there, as was Jonno, the Roaming Robots organiser. We also attracted a local father and son that were new to the sport, and wanted to start building a robot.
Most of the discussion centred on the future of fighting robots after the cancellation of the FRA World Championships, and the sort of arena that would be needed. Of course everyone was very disappointed at the last-minute cancellation. The following points were agreed:-
1. There needs to be a World (or least UK) Championship in 2005. The dates and location need to be determined quickly, so that advertising preparation can start, and so that roboteers do not abandon the sport. (There were 2 teams in the meeting that were holding back from building a new robot.)
2. The sport would only have a long term future if audiences were attracted to the competitions, and from this new competitors came forwards. Sport for competitors only will not work in the longer term.
3. Some people would be able to go to the Robolympics in the USA, but this would not be sufficient to keep the sport flourishing in the UK.
4. The provision of free hotel accommodation was not essential. It was much more important to give good notice of competition dates, and stick to them.
5. It would be possible to link the World Championship to another different 5+ day event to minimise costs and help to achieve the required audience level.
6. The Championship should be held in a major centre of population.
7. A reasonable entry fee for events is acceptable to most roboteers, provided that there are monetary prizes, or some way of sharing out the profits made on the events.
8. There needs to be four class 2 arena events per year that allow spinners to participate. (There was a preference for a rectangular arena.)
9. The FRA Executive may not wish to become an event organiser, but may have to take this role, if no organiser comes forward.
In response to these points Jonno said that he was determined there will be a suitable arena to ensure that there will be an FRA World Championship next year.
There was also a brief discussion about the Roaming Robots Winter Tour. This would follow the successful format used by Jonno at Newcastle, giving plenty of audience entertainment with encouragement for them to take sides, and even participate, driving destructobots. He needs a minimum of 6 heavyweights at each events - more is a bonus. There might be bus transport arranged for the Edinburgh venue.
It was agreed that the next meeting Yorkshire meeting would be at 7.30pm on Saturday, 6th November. (There would also probably be an FRA Social in the Lincoln area on Saturday 2nd October.) Jonathon Lumb agreed to follow up with the new landlord of the Rat and Ratchet (when in post). Andrew Webster agreed to look at a possible meeting place in Flockton. This would be easier for those travelling from the South of the area.
Jeremy Cuss
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Yorkshire
Hi Roboteers,
Yorkshire FRA Social, 7.30pm, Saturday 6th November
At our third meeting in September, it was suggested that a pub nearer the M1 motorway could be used to make this Yorkshire FRA Social less of a journey for people coming up from Sheffield and Nottingham.So I have arranged to use the George and Dragon in Flockton, and will be happy to send a map with directions for anyone who requests one.It is only 3 miles from Junction 38 on the M1.The journey will be a bit further for those coming from the Manchester area. I hope that as many will come as possible.We had 19 people at the September meeting.Please pass this invitation to any other roboteers who would like to attend.
This meeting will be held at 7.30pm on Saturday 6th November, and the landlord has said that we may take over the dining area of the pub for our meeting.
The address of the pub is:-
The George and Dragon
257 Barnsley Road
Flockton
Wakefield
West Yorkshire
WF4 4AL
Tel: 01924 840975
The provisional agenda is:-
1. Welcome and Introductions
2. Discussion on Fighting Robot Rules - What Needs to be Changed?
3. Exchange of information/equipment between roboteers (3.2mm Hardox 450 on display)
Do let me know if you think that you will be able to attend.
Best wishes,
Jeremy Cuss
Email: jeremy.cuss@btopenworld.com
Tel (Home): 01484 658440
Tel (Mobile): 0797 36338819
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Yorkshire
stick me down hopefully with heavyweight to show people and get pointers to make it better
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Yorkshire
Hi, just a note to all in the Yorkshire area.
I have a friend that is hoping to open a venue in York next year. If it is big enough I plan on having an event there sometime. Note this is ONLY a posability.
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Yorkshire
I will be there
Regards Tony.
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Yorkshire
5 people have said that they will be there already. The more the merrier. Look forward to seeing you all there.
Jeremy
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Yorkshire
Ive been told that the correct name for the pub that were having the FRA Social in is George and the Dragon. Im sure that well have a good welcome.
Jeremy
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Yorkshire
just got back, nice social
the fog on the way back was horrible could only see about 3 metres in front
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Yorkshire
The latest Yorkshire FRA social was held on 6th Nov at George and the Dragon in Flockton. It was attended by 10 people, who had a lively discussion about a range of issues. These included:-
1. Future arena developments, including metal floors
2. How many events should include spinners (the suggestion was only a few each year)
3. The belief that there would be too many events in the UK in 2005, and that some events would have to be cancelled because of lack of support. 4. The rule covering 1000psig relief valves for low pressure robots
5. The constitution of the FRA
Other discussion touched on who was going to the Christmas FRA Social.
There was a lot of robot chit-chat as well, with a sharing of technical ideas. As an example of this I received advice that my new robot should sit flat when the full pressure ram was fired to avoid a bent frame.
We also saw, and were impressed by Kenny€™s progress with his new heavyweight robot. A few there wished him luck in his attempt to have it ready for Doncaster.
The next Yorkshire FRA Social is planned for Saturday 8th January, probably in the same location. I expect that there will be an event held in Lincolnshire in December.
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Yorkshire
Hi roboteers,
The last meeting in November at the George and Dragon pub in Flockton was a success.Those people coming from the south of the area said that it had minimised their journey time, as it was close to Junction 38 on the the M1.The landlady was very accommodating, and said that we would be welcome to come again.So we are!The next meeting is on Saturday 8th January at 7.30pm, as I felt that there might be a few who felt unwell on 1st January.If you wish to come, and youre not on my email circulation list, drop me a line and I will send you the map showing how to get there.Everyone is welcome.
The address of the pub is:-
George and The Dragon
257 Barnsley Road
Flockton
Wakefield
West Yorkshire
WF4 4AL
Tel: 01924 840975
The provisional agenda is:-
1. Welcome and Introductions
2. New Weapons for 2005?
3. Exchange of information/equipment between roboteers
Do let me know if you think that you will be able to attend.
Best wishes,
Jeremy Cuss
Email: jeremy.cuss@btopenworld.com
Tel (Home): 01484 658440
Tel (Mobile): 0797 36338819