South West Astro Fair 2018

[Herbig]

It’s that time of year again. The South West Astro Fair at the Norman Lockyer Observatory Salome Hill, Sidmouth, Devon will be held on the 11th August. Doors open at 09:30 BST until 17:30. 

Its a great occasion to buy Astro gear, hear some great speakers on our lecture programme, see what our observers, and imagers get up to, meet old friends form the Astro community or just take a moment to relax in our extensive grounds. 

For full details please visit normanlockyer.com where you will find a link to the Astro Fair site on the home page. 

Hope to see you there,

Herbig

[John]

Thanks for the head up !

Hope to get to this one again - great to look at the scopes in the domes quite apart from the astro fair itself

[25585]

I hope to go as only 45 mins drive. 

[Anthonyexmouth]

Is it worth holding out on any purchases until then? Any bargains there usually?

[Ouroboros]

Thanks for the notice. It just so happens I might well be in Cornwall at that time so may go along. I'd never heard of the place or the astro fair until now. How is that possible? 

[Herbig]

10 hours ago, Anthonyexmouth said:

Is it worth holding out on any purchases until then? Any bargains there usually?

Maybe, there sometimes are show specials. Depends what you want. But at least you’d save on postage!

The main trader will be Widescreen Centre  FLO are not coming again this year

There can also be second hand stuff for sale too. 

[Herbig]

10 hours ago, Ouroboros said:

Thanks for the notice. It just so happens I might well be in Cornwall at that time so may go along. I'd never heard of the place or the astro fair until now. How is that possible? 

It’s amazing how many people haven’t heard of it, even locals!

[25585]

1 hour ago, Herbig said:

Maybe, there sometimes are show specials. Depends what you want. But at least you’d save on postage!

The main trader will be Widescreen Centre  FLO are not coming again this year

There can also be second hand stuff for sale too. 

Given that their Exeter base is not too far away, no-show from @FLOis disappointing ?. It would have been nice to meet the peops.

[John]

It's a good event but purchasing is not really what it's about for me. It is about the speakers and the opportunity to visit the various scopes and domes on the site IMHO.

The International Astronomy Fair in Stoneleigh or Astrofest in London are much more focused on traders and they also have speakers. The South West Astro Fair occupies a different niche IMHO.

If you want to meet FLO staff why not come along to one of the SGL events ?

 

[FLO]

4 hours ago, Herbig said:

The main trader will be Widescreen Centre  FLO are not coming again this year

Simon and Elena at Widescreen Centre have an excellent stall at the SWAF. They are particularly good at events ? 

Trade stalls aside. The SWAF is worth attending for the location alone! It is held at the Norman Lockyer Observatory, high above Sidmouth on the Jurassic Coast (a World Heritage Site). They also have a Planetarium and working antique telescopes. Well worth a visit. 

3 hours ago, 25585 said:

Given that their Exeter base is not too far away, no-show from @FLOis disappointing ?. It would have been nice to meet the peops.

We haven't snubbed the good people at the NLO but we have decided to put our funds and resources into SGL and SGL events. 

3 hours ago, John said:

If you want to meet FLO staff why not come along to one of the SGL events ?

What he said ^ ?

Steve 

[Anthonyexmouth]

What/when/where are the sgl events?

[FLO]

12 minutes ago, Anthonyexmouth said:

What/when/where are the sgl events?

Info about the SGL Star parties board can be found here.

But this discussion is about the South West Astronomy Fair ? 

South West Astronomy Fair 

[25585]

On 10/07/2018 at 12:43, FLO said:

Simon and Elena at Widescreen Centre have an excellent stall at the SWAF. They are particularly good at events ? 

Trade stalls aside. The SWAF is worth attending for the location alone! It is held at the Norman Lockyer Observatory, high above Sidmouth on the Jurassic Coast (a World Heritage Site). They also have a Planetarium and working antique telescopes. Well worth a visit. 

We haven't snubbed the good people at the NLO but we have decided to put our funds and resources into SGL and SGL events. 

What he said ^ ?

Steve 

Spring event which was nearest to me was flu and snow season sadly. Hoping for another next year.

[25585]

2018 Astro Fair

Speakers:
Jo Richardson -Diary of an ESERO-UK Space Ambassador. Inspiring a generations with Space.
Steve Owen - In Defence of the Night: Dark skies around the World.
Prof Alan Fitzsimmons- Intersellar Objects in our Solar System.
Dave Eagle- Celebrate Tim Peake's Principia Mission.

Good topics, what are the times @Herbigplease?

[Guest]

Hopefully the Webb Society should have a stand at the show this year, M5 not wiststanding ?

Not a show we have been to before  so hope to meet some new faces.

 

Owen