The area flagged out in the pic will be our stand.
It certainly has clear lines to the horizon in all directions (even the tree line to the north is not obtrusive). Bring sunscreen and water – it will be hot and the only shade will be the RAS gazebos. Gerry has asked for volunteers to slot themselves into a schedule via him. I currently have 6 exhibitors wristbands available (free entry and good for both days), I can probably get more if needed.
For those bringing equipment, the exhibitors entrance to the site in directly off the A4074. I have 4 exhibitors vehicle passes available. Call me on 07518151121 with your ETA and I will arrange that you are met at the exhibitors gate with your pass and exhibitors wristband. Offloading times are 10 am to 6 pm on Friday and 8 am to 10 am on Saturday. I expect the same time applies Sunday. After offloading, you will need to move your vehicle to the Exhibitor parking area (the organiser do have an interesting array of steam rollers available to enforce parking violations if they so choose!). I plan to be on site from Friday afternoon. (3 or 4 ish).
If you are not bringing kit but are volunteering, then use the public car park (free). The public entrance is off the first road signposted into Woodcote village off the A4074 travelling from Reading to Wallingford (2nd in other direction). Once again call me on 07518151121 so you can be met at the public gate with your wristband.
As the whole event is a charity fundraiser, unless you are planning to spend a significant stretch of time helping on our stand, please consider being a paying visitor to the show – I think it is only £10 for adults. You may even get a chance to ride on or even drive a steam engine if you are lucky.
The Reading Astronomical Society has acquired a stand at the above event
next weekend. It is a bit experimental for us so it is necessary to ask
if any enthusiasts on this list can let us know if you can attend to
help demonstrate the hobby. As the event is over two days there is an
opportunity on Saturday evening to actually do some observing with the
public.
You can of course visit the event as a normal day-out but if you wish to
lend a hand with the astronomy reply to this address with times you
might be available. The Rally is open at 10:00 am both days and closes
This will be a physical meeting in the hall with remote access via ZOOM. Non-members, having enjoyed the talk, donate £5 via online banking: Reading Astronomical Society: Sort code: 60-17-21: Account No: 54137268
June’s Main Meeting will start with our yearly Society AGM followed by a talk by Kenelm England (FRAS)
Society Speaker Kenelm England (FRAS)
Subject:-Anniversaries in “2025”
Kenelm England (Reading AS and historian). Kenelm’s annual look at notable astronomical and scientific anniversaries in years ending “25”
Join us on Sunday 22nd June for The East Reading Festival 2025.
The festival is a free community-focused event, with a music stage, spoken word/poetry stage, a funfair, a small food court with a variety of different cuisines and a wide range of community, charity and commercial stalls.
We will be attending this annual local event with our telescopes suitably filtered for safe observing of sunspots and other activity on our local star. It would be great to see you there.
ZoomFridays
Friday 4th July 2025 at 8pm
Chat with us on ZOOM on the 1st Friday of the month at 8pm.
Once a month at 8 pm on the first Friday each month we will be chatting with members about any astronomical topics and keeping up with the latest in academic and space industry news. At the same time the content of the chats will be written up in .pdf form and released as a monthly round up for members. They will contain a lot of links to professional and academic content and form a part of the story of astronomy and space industry activity as we go forward. A great way to keep up to date with ‘WHAT’S NEW IN ASTRONOMY’
Check out the ZOOMFridays page for more details:- ZOOMFridays
FridayCLUB
—————-Summer Break——————–
We are taking a Summer Break with our FridayCLUB outreach meetings. There are no FridayCLUB outreach meetings in May, June or July. The Sky is very bright during the summer months (May,June,July) making observing with telescopes highly challenging in the early evening. We will restart the meetings on 22nd August 2025. Please put this date in your diary’s as we would love to see you there.
When we restart we will have short talks about astronomy and weather permitting a view of the sky through a telescope what could be better – All Free just come along on the evening. See our FridayCLUB page for details of location and start times. Enquiries to info@readingastro.org.uk
Location : 1st Wokingham Scout Hut in Evendons Lane, Wokingham. RG41 4DX.
Astronomy chat by experts and beginners with members of local astronomy societies. Request login details from Gerry by text on 07510 444 630 or email us at info@readingastro.org.uk
We also keep in touch through a Google Group, email news list, and Zoom. By invitation – send an email to info@readingastro.org.uk
