Suggestions for SW3

[Mr Flibble]

Since the South Wales Group Star Party for this year, i.e. SW3 has been mentioned a couple of times in some threads I thought I would start this for everyone to raise suggestions about the event.

Main points will obviously be about location and dates so these are a few things that have crossed my mind.

Assuming we're happy with the autumn again we can base it around the new moon dates that Mike has mentioned of 24th Sept, 24th Oct and 23rd Nov. The Oct and Nov dates fall on a weekend which is ideal but the sept date is midweek, however the weekend before and after which is the 19th and 26th Sept are both suitable because the thin crescent moon will be well out of the way at the hours at which we'll be observing.

Sept Astro Dark kicks in about 9pm.

Oct Astro Dark kicks in about 8pm.

Nov Astro Dark kicks in about 6.15pm.

Pencelli Castle Caravan & Camping Park is where the first two events were held so using their prices as a guide :

Prices for Sept and Oct fall into the Low Season catagory and Nov falls into the Winter catagory. The winter prices are the cheapest and there is an even cheaper price for winter midweek nights, i.e. sunday through to thursday nights.

Obviously any other suggestions for a location are welcome.

Last thing I can think of right now is the autumn internationals - Wales v NZ is on sat 22nd Nov 17:30 kick-off!!

Once we get the date and location decided we can post it up officially in the astro events section and if everyone is happy I'll get in touch with the campsite to fill them in. Also I think individual bookings like we did last year is the easiest option for all.

[lennylovit]

Same place as last 2 years sounds good to me ,nice site good sky local pub/food

Lenny

[Freff]

Yes Pencelli sounds great. If I had to choose the date it would be the Oct period.

I will probably be away on holiday in Sept.

Oct will give a whole week moon free, meaning I could probably get there on the Wednesday latest until Sunday. Pitch 12 please.

These are first thoughts of course.

If numbers are good we may get reduction on fees.

[lennylovit]

yes Tony Oct looks good , will be looking at booking Wednesday/Thursday till sunday this year as well

Lenny

[L8-Nite]

The October 24th weekend sounds good to me Dave.

Dorothy & I will be away for our anniversary the week before. 

[Freff]

Dave.. I will be in Brecon this Friday or Saturday passing the site. I you want me to call in and speak to the owner I can do that.

I will probably be booking a week there in June/July so I will have the jump on the owners before they can say 'deduction'.

[tich]

You can count me in for another meet this year, money is a bit tight but I hope to be there for a week if that's ok.

One hard standing for a folding flatpack mystery machine at Pencelli please....

I don't mind what dates get chosen although the earlier dark skies would be a plus.

[stevetynant]

I think I talked to Len about this David - although the October meet this year would be slightly later than last I think thats the one I would go for = I'll probably be Friday to Sunday again - I don't know why we don't make Pencelli our permanant SW Group star party site - it pretty much pushes all the right buttons and we should have the owners on side after the last few years,

[Freff]

I agree Steve. Although I have only been once it pushes my buttons.   I'd be happy for it to be the permanent SW Group venue.

The owner was keen as mustard last year, especially with the thought of his site being used by astronomers on an officially recognised dark site.

The feeling I got was he would be happy for us to promote his site in this way.

[lennylovit]

lets hope we get more support this year for a fun weekend under the stars and yes we should make Pencelli home for our star party

Lenny

[tich]

Just a thought, if possible it would be good if we could have the pitches in one area so we don't disturb the other campers in case we end up being up all night.

[lennylovit]

lets hope we fill all the pitches in the Oaks

Lenny

[Freff]

Just a thought, if possible it would be good if we could have the pitches in one area so we don't disturb the other campers in case we end up being up all night.

That would make sense tich. Perhaps when we approach the owner for the first time we could mention that and provisionally book the four or five grass pitches, and 3 gravel.  

Keep Dave on his own on the other side of the hedge.   Only kidding Dave.

[daiwelly]

I would like to suggest for location Aberbran Fawr Campsite, at Aberbran, Brecon. Freff i have Pm'd you the location and link

[Mr Flibble]

Great stuff guys. Looks to be a general consensus for the October dates and a return to Pencelli so I think we can all go ahead and pencil it into our diaries

Dai, cheers for mentioning the alternative campsite. Although such is the satisfaction by the group with Pencelli it makes sense to return there for SW3. I've sent you a PM as well.

Dave.. I will be in Brecon this Friday or Saturday passing the site. I you want me to call in and speak to the owner I can do that.

I will probably be booking a week there in June/July so I will have the jump on the owners before they can say 'deduction'.

Thanks Tony, that'll be excellent. PM sent.

You can count me in for another meet this year, money is a bit tight but I hope to be there for a week if that's ok.

One hard standing for a folding flatpack mystery machine at Pencelli please....

I don't mind what dates get chosen although the earlier dark skies would be a plus.

Nice one tich. It would be rude of us not to turn up on the tuesday as usual and start the close visual inspection of one or two ciders!

I think I talked to Len about this David - although the October meet this year would be slightly later than last I think thats the one I would go for = I'll probably be Friday to Sunday again - I don't know why we don't make Pencelli our permanant SW Group star party site - it pretty much pushes all the right buttons and we should have the owners on side after the last few years,

I agree Steve. Pencelli is becoming the spiritual home of our SW star parties. Big thanks to Mat for doing the hardwork in locating the campsite in the first place.

Just a thought, if possible it would be good if we could have the pitches in one area so we don't disturb the other campers in case we end up being up all night.

Seems to be their time of year to re-seed the plots and potentially move some of us from our original booking sites. Might be worth mentioning to the owners when we book that we're with the astronomy group so that they can ID us and keep us together in case they need to move us?

[lennylovit]

WHO IS UP FOR IT

Lenny 22/10 till 26/10 tent

[tich]

Nice one tich. It would be rude of us not to turn up on the tuesday as usual and start the close visual inspection of one or two ciders!

I'm hoping to be there a day or two earlier this year Dave to get a few more extra hours observing/imaging in although I will know more nearer the event.

[Freff]

I have just got back from Brecon. I called in to Pencelli Castle Camp Site and they (Mrs Rees) was pleased we have chosen to us their site again. 

I have managed to secure the whole lower part of the Oaks for us. We have all the grass area from pitch 11 (where the girls were) to the end, pitch 26.

We also have all the other side of the road, pitches 5, 6 & 29 which are hard standings, and along side those, pitches 28, 27 & 26 which are grass.

Mrs Rees has reserved 13 pitches in all for us, essentially The Oaks this side of the ditch running behind where I was last year.

If the pitches are being re-seeded then its just a matter of the tents moving forward a bit closer to the road, you will still keep your original pitch you book.

I have also tried to negotiate a discount if the numbers are good. It could mean winter rates at best. The main issue for them is getting early conformation of bookings so arrangements can be made for others.  

I have booked Pitch 12  Wed/Sun the same as last year, who's next.

Site%20Plan.pdf

[L8-Nite]

Hi Tony,

Count me in. Dorothy & I haven't been there before, but will drive up in a few days to look around and book a site. 

Edit : I had to go overseas during the last two star party's, so I'm really looking forward to this years.    

[lennylovit]

I will phone Monday and book my pitch wed/sun

Top man Tony  

Lenny

[Freff]

Hi Tony,

Count me in. Dorothy & I haven't been there before, but will drive up in a few days to look around and book a site. 

Edit : I had to go overseas during the last two star party's, so I'm really looking forward to this years.    

Hi Mike. What will you be using, tent or caravan. If it's a caravan then there is three to choose from in The Oaks.

When you are there be sure to look in at the facilities block. A sight to behold.

[Mr Flibble]

Nice one Tony    I'll ring up and book my spot this weekend for tues to sun again.

[Freff]

When anyone books make sure you mention you are with the South Wales Astronomy Group.

Mrs Rees has all the pitches reserved under that name.

[stevetynant]

Awesome, nice one tony and David, I'll have to check which plot I had last year and hopefully book the same again might even stretch it for an extra day. As Len says hopefully well get even better support this year bearing in mind the numbers we've had at blaenavon this year.looking forward to it already.

[Freff]

You were on 13 last year Steve, next to me. Sharing a pitch with some Danish people if I remember correctly.