Advice on very simple project for newbie please.

maybe that's what they want though - leave them alone in their little club??

If you have spent any time looking at this forum you would know that it isn't true. However what you appear to be saying is "do my project for me and don't bother trying to teach me anything"

Occasionally we do have posters that say that and we would try and encourage you to change that attitude. After all we know how to do what you want, we know we can do it so there is no challenge, in fact no point in doing it for you.
What we love, absolutely love, is to help you to learn and come out of the experience with your arduino feeling great.

One poster said to me, "thanks for the help and also for allowing me the thrill of getting it right myself"

It is a thrill and I would like you to experience that. I think this video sums it up.