About the Society

The Society was founded in 1981 to provide the Newbury area with a focal point for all those interested in astronomy, regardless of experience or expertise.
Part of our society's constitution is to provide an educational resource to beginners of all ages, so as well as the main society, we have a beginners group that is open to everyone without paying membership to the main society. See below for more details.

How the Society is structured

The Society consists of 2 sections. The Main Speaker section and a Beginner's Section. Both sections meet once a month between September and June and cover a variety of subjects.

Speaker Section.
This section is the core of the Society. Each month, there is a guest speaker, who will talk about his specialised subject, followed by a "what's up" from Lee Macdonald describing the sky that month and a 5-minute talk from a society member on something they have done.

Meeting Details:
The meetings are held on the second Friday of each month from September to June and start at 7.30pm. See programme for dates and talk information .
Location:
United Reformed Church Hall
Pembroke Street (off West Street)
Newbury
Free parking available in several nearby car parks. See Map for details .

Subscription rates from September 2004:
Annual adult membership £15.00 per year
Under 16's and students: £7.50 per year
Senior citizens: £7.50 per year

Non-members and visitors: £2.00 per meeting.

Beginner's Section
The beginner's section is open to all ages and abilities. Come along and hear about what's going on in the sky that month and an astro-talk in layman's terms. Weather permitting; telescopes will be set up after the meeting for observing.

Meeting Details:
The meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month from September to June, start at 7.15pm and end at 9pm. See programme for dates and talk information.

Location:
Thatcham Nature Discovery Centre,
Muddy Lane
Off Lower Way
Thatcham
Free parking on site. See Map for details .

Meeting fees:
There are no membership or annual subscriptions for the beginner's section, just a nominal charge for each meeting you attend.
The rates are £1.50 for adults and £1.00 for under 16s per meeting.

Observing sessions
The Society also holds regular observing evenings at local dark sites. Details are posted in the newsletter, on the website and sent by e-mail.