BIS Northern Meeting 19th May 2012,York – Final Update

May 17, 2012 By 2 Comments

This is the final post before Saturday’s event.

Currently there are about 35 of the 50 seats sold. You can still buy on line or take the chance and just turn up.

I have “partnered” with the BBC and this event is now part of “The Great British Story“.

If you have purchased a ticket online – no need to print anything out to bring with you. The BIS will supply a list of names that we will check against during registration. Please arrive around 09:30 for the 09:50 start.

A short discussion, about 10 minutes will take place during the lunch break to consider/plan the “next” BIS northern meeting. All welcome to participate.

There will be a raffle. I will be donating a copy of my book “Yuri Gagarin in Manchester and London” – other donations welcome.

Do bring a packed lunch if you like. Lunch has not been organised as part of this event although hot drinks will be available.

David Woods will have copies of his book “How Apollo Flew to the Moon” for sale on the day.

There has been a change to the running order. Download, print and bring this pdf (http://astrotalkuk.org/wp-content/uploads/BISNorthernMeetingYork19May2012.pdf) with you for Saturday. It containing the updated program and other details.

Remembering the Manchester Interplanetary Society

May 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment

From L to R - Tony Cross, Tony Llyod MP, Frank O'Rourke and Alistair Scott

A plaque was unveiled by the Right Hon. Tony Lloyd MP in front of a packed room at the Clayton Vale Visitors centre yesterday. President Elect Alistair Scott from the British Interplanetary Society traveled up to Manchester to participate in this unique event to celebrate the contribution in rocket development made by the Manchester Interplanetary Society, 75 years ago.

Plaque unveiled by Tony Lloyd MP 14 May 2012

Kevin Kilburn spoke about the MIS’s founder, Eric Burgess who he last met in 1978. Burgess left the UK for the US in 1956 and was based there until his death in 2005. Other guests included Colin Rowe – a real life rocket scientist and Philip Turner, son of MIS member Harry Turner. Dave and Leslie Wright traveled up from Liverpool and members of Salford and Manchester Astronomical Society also attended.

Earlier in the week, I had spoken to Eric Burgess’ daughter Janis who continues to live in California. She was delighted that this event was taking place and shared the following words about her farther.

Eric Burgess was a great scientific thinker and philosopher with ideas that were ahead of his time. He was a many faceted man with a great variety of interests and hobbies.

As I continue to learn more about Eric Burgess, I am increasingly aware that he was of a man of gentle quiet nature and may not have received proper recognition for all his achievements.

Clayton Vale Visitors' Centre

Thanks to all who came and made this a memorable event especially the hospitality and assistance of Friends of Clayton Vale.  The plaque is located inside the visitors’ centre which is not open on a daily basis. More details about the Clayton Vale Visitor’s Centre via their website www.friendsofclaytonvale.org.uk

A public event to commemorate Manchester’s first rocket pioneers

May 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Rocketeers1

Manchester has a world renowned international airport, and if had a group of rocket engineers had had their way, could Manchester have had a spaceport to launch rockets, too? A group of rocket engineers lead by Eric Burgess formed the Manchester Interplanetary Society in 1936. Working closely with the Sci Fi community, their headquarters were [...]

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BIS Northern Meeting 19th May 2012,York – Update

May 4, 2012 By 2 Comments

Two weeks to go. Here is a quick update. Currently 26 individuals have got tickets from the online system and we received a request to reserve an additional two for collection at the door. I have had to make a change in the program.  Kevin Kilburn has had to pull out, but Mike Hall, a [...]

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Podcast Recommendation

April 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Not often I do this .. I really should. There are some amazing podcasts out there. If you have one that you recommend – leave a link in a comment below. How Apollo Flew to the Moon. W David Woods author of How Apollo Flew to the Moon – a fascinating insight in to the [...]

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National Astronomy Meeting 2012 – A great success

April 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Nationl Astronomy Meeting - Manchester 2012

Although I did not manage to speak to everyone I had hoped to, no one ever said no to my request. Thanks to all of you especially Professor Natalie Batalha  with whom I could not find a matching time slot. Also thanks to Robert Massey and the RAS, all the individuals in the NAM2012 t-shirts [...]

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