Monthly meets.

[Daz Type-R]

All,

 

While looking to book some time to organise the next quarterly meeting (which has been difficult due to Kelling and EMS4 star parties) it was discussed at EMS4 that perhaps we ought to give monthly meetings a try.

 

So what do you lot think?

 

As a starter for 10, perhaps we could hold the meetings last Saturday of the month, regardless of the weather, at the Wymeswold dark site (as that has better facilities now) or a local pub, to be determined well in advance or some other venue?

 

If the weather is clear, people can bring their kit, if it's cloudy, we just turn up for a chat, tea and cakes, socialise and hopefully listen to a talk or something.

 

I know that not everybody can make every meet, due to work, family or other commitments but it gives us all a chance to get together and have a chat, rather than we all miss each other as we are busy observing or imaging ETC.

 

The quarterlies will still go ahead (star parties allowing of course) where we will try to get a more prominent speaker (not promising any thing here).

 

So over to you, the members, is this something you would like to see happen?

 

Regards,

 

Daz.

[Allan the Plumber]

Sounds like an excellent plan Daz chance to put faces to people bit hard when in dark like with most meets that we get the scopes out if you like the first meet could sell the atrubutes of EMS 4 location could show my stellarium panoramic of the site etc

[+Bino-viewer]

It's a good idea, but i'd like to see at least some of the planned meetings at Belper as well.

Even if its only 2 or 3 per year. 

I'm happy to go to Wymeswold : i've not seen it yet, although it's a little further out for me to go.

[+RonC]

You know I support this idea Daz, why not have the quarterly meetings at Belper and the monthly meetings at Wymeswold? There is a supplement in this months S@N magazine with the 2016 Moon phases, might be worth checking any full Moon end of month meetings??

 

Cheers

Ron

[Sheila]

Sounds OK to me, but as we know there are effectively no facilities at Belper and we only have permission to use

the building for quarterly's, and if i remember correctly last time there was no power on and we had to

use Martyns generator outside, which meant we had no lights etc.  It would have to be sorted with the

cricket club if we required extra times when we want to use the pavillion

[philjay]

Ok by me.

Right from the early days at Belper we have had to supply a generator with the exception of a couple of meets when the club genny was working or hadnt been nicked.

Belper is closer for me so thats my preference as WW is a 70 mile ish round trip. Invariably the meets will be weekends so wherever the meet is I will miss some due to work.

Please dont let it get like some societies Ive known where they sit round drinking coffee and chatting on crystal clear nights. One in particular is famous for it. If its clear then scopes t0must take preference even during full moon, there is stuff to see even when the moons full

[Doc]

Please dont let it get like some societies Ive known where they sit round drinking coffee and chatting on crystal clear nights. One in particular is famous for it. If its clear then scopes t0must take preference even during full moon, there is stuff to see even when the moons full

 

 

 

 

  +1

[Brantuk]

+1 good idea to try this again - we did give it a try years ago when there were fewer members but now I think a lot more would attend regularly.

 

+1 for not sitting round drinking coffee on clear nights - take the coffee outside and get some observing in! lol

[Allan the Plumber]

I don't think the plan on clear nights is to be inside, its more that we meet on a more regular bases and on those nights we meet if cloudy wet etc we catch up make new and less active on forum, members feel more welcome.

 

There's nothing wrong with getting to know other EMS members, its hard in the dark. People will gravitate to people they already know as this is easiest when out in the dark. Its harder when you're with a group of people!!  no excuse to mingle 

 

(How about speed astro) 2 minutes and move around    ( Nah its okay only joking ) 

 

just my 5 pence  worth 

[+Bino-viewer]

 If its clear then scopes t0must take preference even during full moon, there is stuff to see even when the moons full

 

I'll second that.......especially when there's an eclipse 

[Johnnyaardvark]

I don't think the plan on clear nights is to be inside, its more that we meet on a more regular bases and on those nights we meet if cloudy wet etc we catch up make new and less active on forum, members feel more welcome.

There's nothing wrong with getting to know other EMS members, its hard in the dark. People will gravitate to people they already know as this is easiest when out in the dark. Its harder when you're with a group of people!! no excuse to mingle

(How about speed astro) 2 minutes and move around ( Nah its okay only joking )

just my 5 pence worth

Great idea! And an end to AA (Astronomers Anonymous) meetings [emoji2]

[Johnnyaardvark]

I'll second that.......especially when there's an eclipse

3rd'd

[+DaveJW]

Worth a try - I like the idea of quarterly meetings at Belper & (other 2) monthly at Wymeswold. To have them all ay Wymeswold seems unfair on folks who live much nearer to Belper.

[Tweedledee]

I'm happy to rough it at Belper

Wymeswold is just too much of a trek from Mansfield and usually not quite as dark.

[+seven_legs]

I would come if my shifts allow.

Full moons almost guaranteed to be clear. But like others folk, say scopes and coffee outside.

[BAZ]

I am all for this, I do think we need to make more use of Belper, but as mentioned Wymeswold certainly has better facilities, especially for our female members.

I get the feeling we may be getting a bit entrenched in just using the dark sites for meets, we can always meet somewhere else, such as a pub. 

The reason that full moon meets were suggested is that it would clash less than a clear moonless night. Granted looking at the Moon is another facet to the hobby, but a full moon is not so good to view, and blows the rest of the sky out.

 

I think that the idea of more regular meets, whatever the weather, is to get a more social side of the forum going. It could give more folks the chance to get together and just have a natter. This isn't just for dark site members either, anyone can come along. That's the whole point of doing it. If you have a scope problem, it doesn't matter if it's raining, stick up a post that you need help and you will get it. Others will pick up tips and new methods of doing things. 

True, I haven't a clue what language the imagers even use, elvish I think, but there's a whole side of astronomy which causes the most problems. ( Much blaspheming gives it away!)

 

It might be worth looking for another dark site around the Belper/Derbyshire area, as I don't think we get our monies worth out of this. I don't like the attitude of the aero club and more often than not it's like the Somme after a bit of rain. Of course this opens a whole new can of worms, but if we could find a dark site with decent facilities, particularly for our girlie's, I would be happier.

 

When I get chance I will start having a look round,if you don't try, you don't find out.

If anyone has any ideas on where to meet, or if you might know where would make a good new dark site, shout up. If you don't feel like posting it in the forum, just PM me, I will keep it under my hat.

[Sheila]

Sorry Martyn I thought we were talking about dark site members as they are in fact the ones that pay for the sites.  I am now getting a bit confused,

do you mean for the new folks first visit to a dark site, then they can join, or have I missed something.  Cerainly if they were just arranged at the pub

then i suppose that would be a different thing

 

Sheila

[Doc]

The same rules apply.

 

The first visit is free and then if you decide that you want to carry on coming to the meets or wish to use the dark sites then you pay £20 to become a member.

Edited October 15, 2015 by Doc

[Cazz]

I am all for this, I do think we need to make more use of Belper, but as mentioned Wymeswold certainly has better facilities, especially for our female members.

 

Shewee   https://www.shewee.com/

[Sheila]

The same rules apply.

 

The first visit is free and then if you decide that you want to carry on coming to the meets or wish to use the dark sites then you pay £20 to become a member.

Thanks follow it all now. I am easily confused. must be my age

[Sheila]

Shewee   https://www.shewee.com/

Think I will stick to using the fresh air facilities

[Cazz]

Think I will stick to using the fresh air facilities

 

Or the motorhomes   

[BAZ]

Just to clarify, what I intended to get across is that anyone who is not as yet a dark site member who can attend, it's not exclusively for paying members. Quite simply if you like it, then join, so you can get the others benefits being a paying member confers.

But of course, your first visit is free to see if it is something you would be willing to join in with.

I am simply saying get off the sofa and come and say hello!

[Brantuk]

Yeah - I didn't ever think Martyn meant "If someone comes into the pub and they aren't a member then ignore them". This isn't Wales lol

[Guest fusebox666]

I don't think the plan on clear nights is to be inside, its more that we meet on a more regular bases and on those nights we meet if cloudy wet etc we catch up make new and less active on forum, members feel more welcome.

 

There's nothing wrong with getting to know other EMS members, its hard in the dark. People will gravitate to people they already know as this is easiest when out in the dark. Its harder when you're with a group of people!!  no excuse to mingle 

 

(How about speed astro) 2 minutes and move around    ( Nah its okay only joking ) 

 

just my 5 pence  worth 

yes I like the thoughts, of this I have never been to WW or Belper, but if you meet early it will have to be at weekend, as I work a long way from home, and will then have to travel to WW, so earliest I could make it is 7:00 7:30, just my view. I have been to the Anderby creek weekend once, but I have not been able to get since, so have meet know body nor know anybody, those that I did meet at Anderby creek I probably will now not even know them.