Alan Dowdell

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  • in reply to: BAA song #621309
    Alan Dowdell
    Participant

    Steve
    I wonder if I can get a volunteer to give give it a try
    I will be willing to buy them a drink in the bar on the Saturday night

    Alan

    in reply to: BAA Spring meeting – Cardiff #617312
    Alan Dowdell
    Participant

    A successful meeting with about 80 attending. A good selection of speakers. Thanks to Hazel and the team and Cardiff for organising it
    Alan

    in reply to: Winchester Weekend #617021
    Alan Dowdell
    Participant

    Thanks for information on the problems of providing recordings of meetings.

    Although recording the event may be of value to some, the fundamental reason for running the weekend is to create a social environment for members. At this weekend ofcourse we have a range of speakers, but it’s the availability to talk to those with like minds and have a good time aswell is just as important.
    Alan

    in reply to: Bob Mizon #616984
    Alan Dowdell
    Participant

    It was a great shock to hear that Bob had died He was in such good form at Winchester on Sunday and said was feeling better.He was the the power house behind the Commission for Dark Skies and in this role he will be greatly missed. I first got to know Bob in the early 1980s as a member of Wessex astronomical society and he became a good friend over the years. He took early retirement from being French school teacher at Poole Grammar to become a travelling plentarium show. He must become a friend to many over the years because he was such a likeable person. He will be greatly missed my thoughts are to his wife and family at this sad time
    Alan

    in reply to: Winchester Weekend #616890
    Alan Dowdell
    Participant

    It was a great weekend that ran very well. It was good to see not only old friends but new members to Winchester having a good time.
    Long may it last.It would be good to see a younger member keen to carry some of the work in the future years. Any one keen to help just let us know
    Alan

    in reply to: Leslie Peltier video #616171
    Alan Dowdell
    Participant

    Dennis
    Thanks for sharing that video.
    Did he get any problems with dewing,no sign of a dew tube?

    in reply to: Ready for Astrofest! #615541
    Alan Dowdell
    Participant

    The show was a great success and certainly on the Saturday the stand was always busy
    The Saturday team just before the show closed

    in reply to: Brookhaven on the market #609927
    Alan Dowdell
    Participant

    I too re read my Starlights evey few years. I have both editions.Thanks for putting the estate photos on the forum.The house looks very grand compared with my imagination. It looks good value may be the association has found a good home for its f
    uture investments
    Alan Dowdell

    in reply to: Ron Arbour #609594
    Alan Dowdell
    Participant

    Update re Ron’s funeral on Monday 11th
    The post code for the crematorium is SO30 2HL.

    in reply to: Ron Arbour #609595
    Alan Dowdell
    Participant

    Update re Ron’s funeral on Monday 11th
    The post code for the crematorium is SO30 2HL.

    in reply to: Ron Arbour #609321
    Alan Dowdell
    Participant

    The arrangements for Ron’s funeral. It will be on the Monday 11th April at 1.45pm at the Wessex Vale Crematorium Bubb Lane West End SO23 2HL (masks to be warn)
    If you wish either go straight to the Crematorium or follow the hearse leaving from 29 Wrights Way South Wonston SO213HE leaving at 12.30pm.
    Everyone is welcome to refreshments after the service at the The Southampton Arms Mooregreen Road West End SO302HG (0.6 m from Crematorium)
    Donations in Ron’s memory to
    https://ronaldarbour.muchloved.com/

    in reply to: Eddie Watson Jones #585218
    Alan Dowdell
    Participant

    I knew Eddie while he worked in the BAA office. He was always very business  like in his dealings with me but  me but always helpful. There was a book published with photos representing  times of the day and there was a full size picture  of Eddie in his business  suit brief case and umbrella  walking through  the arch into Burrington House representing 9am. He had no knowledge of this until someone showed him the book.Saddly I can’t recall the title. 

    in reply to: Nova in Hercules #584352
    Alan Dowdell
    Participant

    Observed with Binos in a bright sky approx estimate 6th mag. Easy to find.

    Image was taken at 22.52 UT Canon 600D 10sec exposure undriven

    in reply to: William Dawes – papers on ArXiv #584298
    Alan Dowdell
    Participant

    I read with interest the paper. I have a connection with this as one of the convicts Henry Kable1767 on the ship Friendship with the fleet was related to my mother’s family.  Family story has it he married another convict on the same ship and finally had 11 children. He did well in Australia and owned a fleet of ships before he died.

    in reply to: C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE) #582736
    Alan Dowdell
    Participant

    I stood in the middle of corn field to the west of Newbury in order to get to see the eastern horizon. But from 02.00 – 03.30 the only clouds in the sky were sitting over the comets position. Good views of Venus and the moon behind me as well. But no comet this morning. Never mind at least I tried.

     

    in reply to: Winchester Weekend, Sparsholt, April 2016 #582237
    Alan Dowdell
    Participant

    Martin’s  photos. The first is Geof Buss? Wasn’t  he involved  with the Lunar section . The next looks like Pete Seiden. Could be other figure in the group photo could be Mr Vince .

    I built a camera mount like that in those days.Thats what you did. Buying was not really possible. 

    .

    We reintroduced the sky notes a few years back but it slipped  of the programme.

    Thanks 

    Alan 

    in reply to: Winchester Weekend, Sparsholt, April 2016 #582233
    Alan Dowdell
    Participant

    Just think of the non returnable fees we paid to organise two comets for Nick, a suspect  variable star for Gary, a high moon  for Bill , Venus for Paul .Along  with clear skies and warm weather (possible sun spot as  well).

    To do this again for 2021 I hope we don’t have cut the budget and return to Martin’s simpler program  of events.

    Alan

    in reply to: Transit of Mercury #581570
    Alan Dowdell
    Participant

    The day was mainly clear right through to sun set, but of course it was cloudy for about 10 minutes at ingress. So Mercury not seen until well into the transit. Cant have everything. 

    in reply to: Maurice Gavin #579595
    Alan Dowdell
    Participant

    I have just re read Maurices web pages which shows the range of work that he was involved in from Worcester Park. He was always taking the lead in many fields of work, computing , observatories , CCDs and spectroscopy. I first met him in the 1970s at the early start of the SAGAS meetings and then though TA and of course the BAA. He was always a a popular speaker to local societies and at Winchester weekend.I always enjoyed his wonderfully  drawn diagrams he used to get over his ideas. I always enjoyed speaking to Maurice to hear about his latest ideas or projects. He will be missed by all who knew him. 

    in reply to: John Wall (1932-2018) #579061
    Alan Dowdell
    Participant

    Sad to read the passing of John. For me he was one of the associations greats. He  was for so many years at Winchester Weekends the star of the show. Each year we looked forward to hear about the next great telescope he was making.I also have great memories of visiting his house and workshops some years ago. To some it would be a scrap yard , to John anything could be turned into a telescope.I am proud owner of a very early focusing mount which I keep in pride of place at home. I will raise a glass to him at the next Winchester.

Viewing 20 posts - 1 through 20 (of 20 total)