It’s a chance for Amstrad computer owners across Wales and the UK to get together and celebrate all things Amstrad and retro computing. Plus, we’ll have a selection of Amstrad machines out in the UKAG meet area with all manner of games for you to play on.
The Swansea VGE will be an action-packed day of gaming, activities, tournaments and guest speakers, celebrating everything from retro classics to modern innovation.
Speaking of the design and manufacture of the Amstrad CPC, architect of the machine, Roland Perry said, “We can make it twice as good if you spend another 5p on the components,” to the senior decision makers at the consumer electronics company back in the 1980’s.
And so they did!
“That’s where we’ve got the 27 colours from,” continues Roland.
“The 27 colours is six resistors! It’s absolutely nothing, it’s brain power, a very talented engineer who was on my team, but only six resistors.”
The interview
Roland Perry, who was responsible for the CPC development, was interviewed at our inaugural public meetup on the 21st June 2026.
The interviewed looked at what it was like working with Alan Sugar at Amstrad, including later being a consultant on the UK version of The Apprentice. Roland commented that Alan was:
“Very straightforward, plain speaking, honest… He in real life is absolutely the same as he is on that show, it’s not an act but it’s absolutely what he’s like”.
When taking his team to a Sinclair user show, Roland shared the vision of having an Amstrad version, which is team thought was just dreams. Low and behold, a year later Amstrad achieve that dream, “because everybody just threw their entire heart and effort” into the project.
Roland’s later work included being responsible for all those CompuServe and UK online CDs on magazine covers to get you on the internet, important work around the law for coercive control and more that you can see in our recording.
The video
You can watch the interview, hosted by our very own Jo Cook, including discussing the CPC mini and Roland’s advice for young programmers today.
It’s always great to see you, with or without your own Amstrad retro kit!
We will let you know when we have more events planned. The first to know are those on our WhatsApp community, so you are welcome to join that.
What is a meetup like?
If you haven’t been to our meetup, or a retro event before, you might be wondering what happens. You come along, reminisce, play with old machines, and do whatever takes your retro fancy!
This is a short 1 minute overview video of our inaugural event in June 2026:
And this is a longer 8 minute version with more detail:
