The meeting started at 7pm, and as usual we had a few bits of technology to rip apart and play with. Jon proceeded to open up a Packet Radio Andy had brought, while Mike showed his homebuilt AM receiver. Bob had brought along a couple of robots, along with mbed and arduino development boards.

After getting a few funny looks in the pub (whats unusual there!), We headed over to the mill to view the possible hackspace. Climbing the 4 flights of stairs to get up there was tiring, but eventually we all managed to get to the third floor, and proceeded to enter the space...

This is the windowless room, which we'd probably use for storage and a workshop area. It has a large raised area close to the bricked up windows, and the air conditioning distribution box on the ceiling.

We had a look in the windowed room too, but most of the photos diddn't turn out! Jon's photos from an earlier visit can be seen at http://jon.spriggs.org.uk/SHS/. It contains a lot of decommissioned heating equipment which can be removed, 3 windows (2 of which are currently boarded up), and 2 giant vents in the wall. It has the space's second door, leading to the service lifts and indoor bicycle rack, and would probably be used for soldering, GIANT ROBOT assembly, and as a general relaxation area.

We then descended the staircase, and retired to the beer garden at the pub for the rest of the meeting. We discussed whether the space at the mill was right for us, the price we'd be able to pay, how membership should be structured, and whether to incorporate as a company or research more into clubs & cooperatives. [meeting minutes to follow]