Kielder Forest Star Camp

[Rick]

Being run by Sunderland Astronomical Society this October. Details, if you're interested, at:

http://www.richarddarn.demon.co.uk/

They promise one of the darkest sites in the UK. No guarantees what the weather will do though.

[ This Message was edited by: Rick on 2003-03-21 11:23 ]

[Sue]

Interesting! The dates include the first weekend of half term. We are planning to spend the holiday in the Borders visiting friends  
As you say Rick, just need some clear weather to make the most of it

[ This Message was edited by: Sue on 2003-04-01 09:58 ]

[ This Message was edited by: Sue on 2003-04-01 09:59 ]

[Rick]

Sunderland Astronomical Society
Forestry Commission
1 August 2003

Dear Colleagues

Many of you were kind enough to flag-up early details of our inaugural Kielder Forest Star Camp being staged this Autumn in the heart of Kielder Forest, Northumberland, when I wrote back in March.

Well things have certainly moved on since then and the event is really taking shape. I'd like to take this opportunity to update you on what's planned.

The Star Camp runs from 23 and 26 October and is being organised by Sunderland Astronomical Society and the Forestry Commission. A recent light pollution survey by the CPRE identified Northumberland as England's darkest county and Kielder the nation's remotest village. Needless to say, we are hopeful of really first class viewing.

The main day is on Saturday 25 October at 18th Kielder Castle - a former hunting lodge of the Dukes of Northumberland. Well known retailers who will be exhibiting equipment include Broadhurst, Clarkson and Fuller, Pulsar (Optical) and Green Witch.

Our speaker's list includes world leading cosmologists Dr Gerry Gilmore from Cambridge University and Dr Nigel Metcalf of Durham University. They will be joined by skilled imager Jurgen Schmoll offering tips on capturing perfect celestial shots and master mirror maker David Sinden.

We are making no additional charges for talks. Other on-the -day attractions include the Star Lab planetarium, astro-boot sale and barbeque - all set within these incomparable surroundings.

The observing ground will be nearby at Kielder Campsite - run by the Forestry Commission and having a wide range of top class facilities. It is being specially re-opened for the event and will be completely taken over by amateur astronomers. Red light rules will be in force during clear nights.  Kielder Castle has an excellent cafe and the village itself boasts a pub, shops and recently refurbished youth hostel.

The Star Camp website is at http://www.richarddarn.demon.co.uk/starcamp/
including a booking form to download. The same information is available by post from Kielder Forest District, Forestry Commission, Eals Burn, Bellingham, Northumberland NE48 2AJ.

This really is a unique opportunity to help put the event on the calendar for future years.  The Forestry Commission is underwriting costs to make it accessible to everyone.

We would be very grateful if you could circulate this information to your members.

Yours faithfully
Gary Fildes
Sunderland Astronomical Society

[ This Message was edited by: Rick on 2003-08-02 21:45 ]