Thanks Georgiansilver,
I think I assumed that the Guest wanted to make contact with other writers online at first then arrange to meet up and form a face-to-face group but I think I maybe just jumped to that conclusion. I understand what you mean about trust. I do know the majority of people are decent but there is always the chance of one who is not, spoiling things. I am glad to say, we have a smashing group of people at ours.
(Btw,anyone who is interested in starting their own group up, please feel free to PM me, if it helps to talk over what we found worked or didn't with our group, am happy to speak ...but separately, rather than gatecrashing this thread.)