[Nottingham] [Visit] 10am to 2:30pm, Sunday 21/042019: TNMoC and Electrojumble!

[Martin]

Folks,

And so, a small happy band of NLUG didst gather and with a very
eco-friendly carshare didst adventure into a beautifully bright and
sunny morning to explore... TNMoC http://www.tnmoc.org/


Since my last visit a few years ago, TNMoC has been nicely tidied up and
spruced up. The "Block H" site gives a fabulous view of the
semi-automated codebreaking developed for Bletchley Park and the story
of the people behind that world leading and war-winning work. As a grand
bonus, they have recreated or rejuvenated some the iconic developments
of the early days of electronic and electromechanical computers.

They also have a large area that is home to an old ICL mainframe and
various old business computers. They have TWO Cray supercomputers! A
Transputer system bravely shows it's iconic TV demo of years ago. They
also have an Air Traffic Control demo in another room. And there's a
couple of rooms of retro home computers with more games than I remember!

Even better, most of that lot are live and working!

And all enthusiastically explained and guided by very knowledgeable
volunteers!!

Excellent! :-)

So yep, we were in there for the day until gently thrown out after
closing time :-)


We all bagged various bits at the junk sale or in the shop.

Boris got to be talking in disbelief to the senior engineer who looks
after the Colossus - and charmed up a real live old thermionic valve!

(One now to auction for your retirement? ;-) ;-) )

We also got an enthusiastic story for a rather large ceramic valve on
display there that is of great weight (half-inch copper pipes for wires,
more pipes for water/vapour cooling, special lifting gear needed) and
stupendous high power that transmitted radio signals worldwide...

We then finished off with food and a drink at a nearby pub overlooking
an idyllic view across a lake and grounds into a picturesque sunset.


In short, an excellent day for a fabulous place.

Definitely a Geeks-Must-Visit :-)

We'll leave the actors next door at the 'theme park' until some other
time...


All good geekie fun!

So... Where next?!

Cheers,
Martin



On 16/04/2019 18:34, Martin via Nottingham wrote:
> Folks,
> 
> For those not already fully booked up this Easter, there is down the
> road at *The National Museum of Computing* :
> 
> 
> Electrojumble!
> http://www.tnmoc.org/news/upcoming-events/electrojumble
> 
> #####
> The National Museum of Computing (www.tnmoc.org) on Bletchley Park will
> be holding its first-ever ElectroJumble on Sunday 21 April 2019.
> 
> Over the years, the museum has accumulated many pieces of electronic
> apparatus and components...
> #####
> 
> 
> Also a very good excuse to visit the new old stuff that they have got
> working. And also to see the resited Bombe that they retrieved from over
> the 'Brexit' barbed wire fence from next door.
> 
> (Quite a bit of a different spin on "Can we have our ball back?"!)
> 
> Is it really so many years since our last visit??!...
> 
> They have a fair few bits to show off:
> http://www.tnmoc.org/explore
> http://www.tnmoc.org/special-projects
> 
> 
> Further summary details are:
> 
> #####
> NEW OPENING TIMES: Tuesday to Sunday, 10.30am - 5pm,
> Last admission at 4.30pm
> We will also be open on all bank holidays.
> 
> SatNav users: please use MK3 6DS (the postcode for the railway station)
> and then follow the signs to Bletchley Park. The postcode for Bletchley
> Park will actually take you to an old entrance which is closed and you
> will end up at a brick wall!
> 
> *If you are coming to The National Museum of Computing only* there is
> *no need to pay the Bletchley Park Trust entrance fee*
> 
> Visitors can come directly to The National Museum of Computing in
> Block H on the Bletchley Park Estate. There is a free car park by The
> National Museum of Computing entrance.
> 
> One-day tickets
> 
> Adults £7.50
> Concessions £5.00
> Children aged 5-16 £5.00
> Under 5s free
> Carers with disabled visitors free
> Family ticket (2 adults and up to 3 children) £20.00.
> 
> 
> Electrojumble!
> http://www.tnmoc.org/news/upcoming-events/electrojumble
> 
> Entry to the ElectroJumble is free and, if you spend £10.00 per person,
> you will qualify for free entry to the computer museum. Light
> refreshments will be available.
> #####
> 
> 
> Who's game? :-)
> 
> Note the times for the Electrojumble but expect a full day or two for
> TNMoC itself...
> 
> 
> Further details to be arranged onlist and at our Thursday (Overdraught)
> social.
> 
> All welcome! :-)
> 
> Cheers,
> Martin