Posted by Nick James at 22:54 on 2011 Feb 25
Tony,It was 16 years ago at the meeting of 1995 February (JBAA 105/4, 1995 Aug). I remember it well and I’m quoted in the report as well. I recall that the speaker sort of implied that anyone opposed to the change was guilty of manslaughter. I remember shouting "shame" from the back of the lecture hall. That doesn’t happen often at BAA meetings!We’ve been discussing this Parliamentary Bill on the BAA Council and, as David knows, I’m in the "I think we have bigger things to worry about" camp. I don’t think there is much evidence as to how it will affect amateur astronomers and you can make arguments both ways.I’m personally in favour of the change.Nick.