COASTAL COMPUTER CENTRE
The Coastal Computer Centre was originally formed by Stan Whitfield in 1999 for the purpose of offering an easygoing training session for members of the community who were interested in using computers and for meeting to share joint problems which it was hoped would be overcome. This is held in a very friendly atmosphere and there is no pressure to force anyone to learn, everything is very free and easy and no membership is required, come and go as you please.
These meetings are held at the St. Mary's Bay Village Hall, on Wednesdays in two sessions, the first between 10 a.m. to 12 noon and the second from 1.30 p.m. to 3.30 p.m.
They have become very popular that we even have visitors from Hawkhurst and Tenterden.
The cost for either session is £3.00 which covers the cost of the hall rent and a good ‘cuppa’. There are a variety of computers, scanners, printers, digital cameras, so anyone who attends would more than likely be familiar with one or other machine. There are also all versions of the Windows operating system which enables a learner to see one that is recognizable to them.
There are a number of members who are well conversant with computers and many and varied different programmes so that most of the time there would be one or other who could answer questions on most subjects and can also teach specific skills without any pressure.
We are very friendly and welcome new members so please come along.
Sadly, Stan died on the 13th October 2005, but the remainder of the team are determined that we shall carry on in the manner in which Stan would have liked so please give us your support.
Now, in 2007, we are still running the club at St. Mary's Bay, we have reformed and changed the name to St. Mary's Bay Computer Club, we have a committee, opened a bank account, drawn up a set of rules, raised sufficient funds to keep our heads above water, including purchase of new equipment for the club, and generally still maintaining our aims as before. We have ammassed many new members over the last six months, albeit they do not all attend every week but come in as and when they require help and information. We have now set up a membership for the princely sum of £1 per year, renewable in January, but we give interested parties a chance of several visits before we offer them a chance to join.
In June 2007 we sadly lost another very important member of the club, Ian, who helped with instruction and installation of new programmes etc but more importantly he was our in situ mechanic. If there was a problem with the hardware on a machine, printer etc then Ian was called upon to help to rectify it. He had a vast knowledge of the operation of the machines and had a good insight into most programmes. We must therefore make an increased effort to maintain the support we already have but to try and improve in special memory of Ian.
For the record Ian not only helped out with the computer club and, although he was in a wheelchair, he did not let the grass grow under him. He was the manager of the Dymchurch Station on the RHDR as well as press officer. The railway was his great love and especially the Green Goddess engine.
