Those present; Chester, Manchester, Liverpool, Preston, Altrincham, Macclesfield.
Salford, Southport.
Minutes were accepted. Matters arising; BAA and FAS meetings are dealt with below.
Chester AS were adopting 'sidewalk astronomy' with telescopes in parks, etc., to show the public views of the night sky. Liverpool were adopting a similar approach augmented with open evenings at Pex Hill Observatory. Furness and Cockermouth ASs were joining forces with Carlisle's Border AS in Cockermouth on 21st September to hold an 'Astronomy Day'. Manchester AS begins NAW with a lecture on 19th September by a NAW Patron, Sir Arnold Wolfendale. The Godlee Observatory would be open to the public on each evening the following week Macclesfield are planning a series of public observing sessions at Jodrell.
NWGAS member societies all have copies of the NAW Newsletter. They are urged to send details of what they are doing to the NAW co-ordinating centre, c/o Sylvia Chaplain, Jodrell Bank Science Centre. Although the official deadline was 17th May, a faxed itinerary could still be accepted. Details would be published and circulated to schools and libraries throughout the UK.
It was suggested that local free newspapers can provide excellent publicity for astronomical societies. They need articles for every issue and are usually not so tight for space as regional newspapers.
It was suggested at the last meeting that an information cascade be set up to notify NWGAS members of any activities in the region (Meteor watches, grazing occultations, etc.). It was agreed at the present meeting that the NWGAS reps list be used as the basis of the cascade with the representative of the instigating society, in the event of an astronomical event being reported, phoning the society rep next down on the list until the loop had been closed. In the event of a society not being contactable, the next one down on the list is telephoned.
These should now be circulated from each society directly to other NWGAS member societies, NOT VIA THE SECRETARY as this would increase NWGAS postage costs in re-transmission. It was agreed that all NWGAS societies would allow members of other NWGAS societies to attend their lectures free of charge. Obviously to attain full access to the society's facilities and benefits (e.g. Observatories, book, video, slide or software libraries) would still require personal membership of those societies.
Gerard Gilligan gave an update on various aspects of the CfDS. In particular, he read a letter received that morning, 18th May, from Mr Michael Lippold, Chairman of the Church Floodlighting Trust. This Trust had been awarded £2.25M by the Millenium Commission to floodlight 400 churches pending a big 'switch on' on the eve of December 31st, 1999 (?). The letter stated that the business plan- (to floodlight the churches)- is not for general publication. This begs the question; WHY NOT? Shouldn't their plans be public knowledge? It is our money. (Gerard went on to say that a similar amount of cash requested by the Roy Castle Foundation to finance research into lung cancer had been turned down.) The Trust's Technical Committee will include a representative from each of the lighting industry's major technical associations; The Chartered Institute of Building Service Engineers (Lighting Division); the International Association of Lighting Designers; the Institution of Lighting Engineers. Mr Lippold stated that floodlighting costs would be shared between the Trust and the individual church. 'Costs' include the necessary electrical components and the cost of installation, they do not include maintenance and energy costs, which is the responsibility of the individual church. In a letter quoted by Mr Lippold, from the Rector of Christ Church, Swindon, it has cost them about £8000pa since they floodlit the church. This has been met by local donations, with a £1200pa surplus. However if this is typical of running costs, to be met by church funds, it should be considered by all churches availing themselves of the Millennium Fund money. Cherry Moss (Macclesfield AS) said that she had photocopied Gerard's recent notes regarding floodlighting running costs, etc. and had sent thirty copies to churches in the Macclesfield area. We should all do the same. A copy of Mr Lippold's letter will be sent by Gerard to all NWGAS representatives.
A comprehensive package of CfDS literature is available from Gerard if societies or individuals would like to contact him directly.
Gerard Gilligan gave an update on Liverpool's Lassel Project. The telescope is due for completion at the end of August or early September and will be unveiled to the public on 10th October. A book is nearing completion, Gerard having finished his chapter, others are still to be submitted to the publisher.
Mike Oates (Manchester AS) reported that the Manchester AS, CfDS, Star Watch UK and NWGAS World Wide Web pages were now being accessed 20,000 (TWENTY THOUSAND) times per month (inc images). This is THE way to get your society publicised even if you don't have computer access. Send Mike info. about your society; projects, member's activities, etc. Snail mail: 3 Walter Street, Prestwich, Manchester. M25 3HJ. STOP PRESS. Mike has been invited to London to set up a Web page for the Royal Astronomical Society.