Hello Mike,
Yes, we had fun helping out with that! Luckily, we had a lovely clear night at the NLO for the evening’s filming. Allan was on great form! I hadn’t realised until I saw the documentary that Dr. Bangay was a self educated rags-to-riches character, apparently starting out as a crow-scarer and plough boy! I have been trying to find out whether he communicated with Norman Lockyer, but the only reference I have found is from Barbara Slater’s book on “The Astronomer of Rousdon”. This is another remarkable story of a rags to riches astronomer – the life of Charles Grover. He started out as an apprentice in a brush-makers workshop, and got hooked on astronomy when he saw Donati’s comet. To cut a long story short, he ended up working for the wealthy Peeks (Peek-Frean biscuits) at Rousdoun as their resident astronomer. Now apparently, Richard Bangay was a regular visitor to Rousdon, and is mentioned in the book. He was also a keen geologist and involved with the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Field Club. I may have some further information passed on by George Wilkins, which I shall try and find.
David