27th Feb AGM Meeting

Annual General Meeting Report

Bedford Astronomical Society
21st AGM on Feb 27th 2008
Meeting started at 8 pm.

Agenda

Venue: The Resource Room, Piazzi Smyth Observatory

Apologies: Dennis Rowland

Minutes from the previous AGM held on 28th Feb 2007:
The minutes of the 20th AGM meeting held on 28th February 2007 were circulated to members.
Copy of the previous minutes were proposed as a true record by John Walter Gordon and seconded by Peter Hudson

Matters arising

The minutes of the AGM could upload on the BAS website a couple of weeks before the next AGM to give attendees the chance to review them

Officers’ reports

Chairman: Gordon Waller

Any year that starts and ends with a Total Eclipse of the Moon cannot be bad!
We have enjoyed a variety of good speakers and good observing. We have had some really good in-house talks from Darren, Andrew, Andy Green and Annabel entertaining us with magic and astronomy.
We’ve had members images shown on the BBC and Spaceweather.com, articles in the local press, been featured on 3 Counties Radio and we have had 3 library exhibitions. We also had a very enjoyable BBQ with live music at the beginning of September.
The 20th anniversary event was a great success with nearly 100 people attending to listen to some of the best speakers in the country and excellent trade stands.
At the end of October we observed Comet Holmes one of the most unusual comets ever seen.
My thanks to the committee for all their hard work over the past year especially Darren for the excellent program of events and his workshops, Peter Ashwell for the Newsletter, Phil and Linton for opening up the observatory and to Bedford School for the use of these facilities. I particularly want to thank Dave Eagle for all his work on the web site. Dave is now handing this over to Darren so many thanks Dave.
I hope you have enjoyed the events of the past year and that you will enjoy the next year.
Thank you to Bedford school for allowing the society the use of its facilities.



Treasurer: Paul Barton

Thanks to Peter Hudson for auditing the books. The society has purchased 2 solar scopes and an additional telescope for a total of around 1000 pounds. It has been a good year in terms of memberships, and the society made 400 pounds this year, compared to 200 pounds last year. We suggest an increase in membership fees of one pound per category. The last time BAS increased its membership fees was 1999. The running costs of the society (such as insurance and contribution to speakers for the attendance on the basis of higher fuel prices) have all increased since then.

The society accounts were proposed as correct by James Biggs, and seconded by Bob Wickens.
Raising subscription fees by a pound: proposed by Peter Ashwell, seconded by Paul Barton.



Programme coordinator: Darren Jehan

Another busy year for BAS! We ran a number of outreach events over the year – library displays at Bedford, Kempston and Putnoe – as well as our 20th Anniversary here at the school. This was very well attended by the public and guest speakers and we had a number of new members as a result. We look forward to the 25th! I would again like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who took part in assisting with car parking and showing people where to go during the day – it was most welcome!
The increase in members now means that our guest speaker meetings are held in the Science Block, room S7, as this has the room to accommodate everyone and offer facilities for a welcome cuppa afterwards. To help new members, and the public, find us, there is a new map and directions coming on the web site.
Over the last couple of meetings, I have talked about BAS doing some observing projects, and with Peter Hudson’s input, we are working on some lunar projects and hopefully some variable and perhaps double star observations that we can submit to the BAA. I think this will be a great project for us to do as we approach the Spring – the moon always offers a good show and the brighter doubles and variables can still be measured. Watch out for further announcements on these in the near future.
Again this year, we shall not be booking external speakers for June, July or August and we look to our members to volunteer to fill these gaps. Any astronomical related subject is fine, and your talk need only be 20 minutes or so. We can assist with presentations, computers and projectors – all we need is a speaker and a subject!!
Thanks for your support over the last 12 months



Instrument curator: Gordon Waller and Linton Guise

The Society has recently acquired two solar telescopes and a 5 inch Meade Lightbridge telescope. It is possible for Society members to borrow this equipment and to be shown how to use it, free of charge. If borrowed, instruments will not be covered by the Society’s insurance so anyone wishing to borrow the equipment needs to add these items to their house insurance. A list of items for members to borrow is available on the website.



Librarian: Peter Hudson

During the summer of 2007 the opportunity was taken to rationalize the existing library stock. Many items were identified as out of date or not relevant to the BAS and a number of “redundant items” were offered for sale at the 20th Anniversary event generating some useful capital for the Society.
I wish to place on record my gratitude to Linton Guise and Philip Stone for their assistance in the rationalization process.
The Library book stock covers a broad range of interests from the “general armchair” too more specialized observing guides.
A selection of Videos, CD’s, DVD’s, 35mm slide sets Journals and Newsletters of the BAA, the SPA and the FAS are available.
Of great importance is an archive of BAS publications although these are not for loan.
New items will be added as deemed appropriate.
From time to time expired Journals and surplus books will be offered for sale to members at modest cost. Watch out for announcements.
An updated Library Catalogue will be available on the new website.
Members are encouraged to make full use of the library items observing the simple rules for loans.



Election of officers

Current officers are prepared to carry on for the next year. No proposed nominations from the floor.

Election of officers as above proposed by Mr. Sinclair, seconded by Gill Ashwell



AOB

Peter Hudson asked for ideas on what the Society should offer its members: a day trip to the National Space Centre was suggested.
The Society may be planning a trip to Astrium at Stevenage, or to the Royal observatory in Greenwich.

Peter Hudson, as area representative of the Campaign For Dark Skies (CFDS) pointed out how over the last few weeks some local authorities have been trying to turn off street lights from midnight to dawn, as some Society members may have heard on the media. Whilst councils make decisions on where and when lighting should be provided to the community, residents have mixed views on local lighting being taken away by the council, on the grounds of safety at night. CFDS supports quality lighting being provided by the local authority in the right place and at the right time, rather than no light at all. If Society members were to be canvassed on such a scheme, they may wish to put forward that whilst street lighting is needed, modern design now offers lights with a built-in light sensitive dimmer that can be positioned at the appropriate angle. It is also worth remembering that if street lights are too scarce, people will buy security lights that use more energy and are more disruptive for those that wish to enjoy dark skies at night. CFDS are in touch with the appropriate ministry to review some of the ambiguous areas of the current legislation on where light saving measures are not yet implemented.

On behalf of all members the committee was thanked for its work throughout the year. The AGM closed at 8.41 pm.


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