Free Practical Astronomy Show - now March 2022

[paulastro]

On 19/01/2022 at 13:47, AstroExploring said:

Hmmm that’s 2 days before my wife is due to give birth. Can I get away with attending? 😂

Go on, I dare you 😁.

[rwg]

I had a quick word with the organisers to point out that they had neglected to mention the opening time on their web site The site has now been updated with the show times of 9am to 5pm.

I also remember there being a good sized queue outside last time before 9am. Of course it makes sense to only hand out talk tickets on the day to avoid problems with people reserving tickets and then not showing up...

Anyway, very much looking forward to it

 

cheers,

Robin

[PEMS]

From attending the first one it might be useful if it were made clear that the queue is for people wanting tickets for the talks. Since it is free and if you only want to attend the retail aspect there is no reason to stand in the queue. As you are in effect queueing for no reason.

However if you wander along and inside people start thinking you are jumping or trying to jump the queue. Makes it a little difficult. Would I suppose be useful if that were made clear or even 2 queues at the start. One for talk tickets and one for shop/retail show only.

Anyway need to get there around 8:00 to 8:30 I suppose. Hope it is not raining. Also need to find the A14 these days. They have moved it around - literally.

Thanks for the times.

[carastro]

Might be able to get to this, if Omicron no worse.  Can all SGL members wear a badge with their Avatar and Avatar name so we can recognise each other.  

Carole 

 

[Mark at Beaufort]

1 hour ago, carastro said:

Might be able to get to this, if Omicron no worse.  Can all SGL members wear a badge with their Avatar and Avatar name so we can recognise each other.  

Carole 

 

I am hoping to go and it would be nice to meet more SGL members. I have a SGL T.Shirt and a Mod name badge so say hello if you see me.

[Carbon Brush]

3 hours ago, carastro said:

Can all SGL members wear a badge with their Avatar and Avatar name so we can recognise each other.

Yes it would be good to put faces to SGL names. I will do it.

Carole - with your avatar, there is no need for it to be repeated on a picture.
For me? Well guess🤔
Or I could pin a carbon brush or two to my lapel?

 

[bf79]

Its a 330 mile drive for me from Lanarkshire… looking forward to it 😃

[Carbon Brush]

I took a look recently at the exhibitor list.
Maybe my memory from last time is failing. But it seems to me there are far fewer 'general astro retailers' this time around.
The exhbitors being mainly specilist.

What do I mean by this?
RVO, Widescreen, etc. aren't on the list.
However, I can still buy a dome, a meteorite, dew heater, etc. from people who specialise.

Given the assortment of goods will be more limited will this put some people off the journey?
If I need to talk (for example) to AWR about the drive on my D6, great. Same if I wanted a dome.
If I was thinking of buying a new scope, how many different viewpoints/recommendations from sellers would I get?

If I was attending mainly for the lectures, is it worth the risk of not getting tickets?
The first come first served ticket arrangement means there has to be a good 'plan B' ie the rest of the show if I can't get the talks I want.
Last time I got hold of one ticket that had been returned by someone - a minute or two earlier.

Or am I being pessimistic?

[Telescope40]

Hello. Going to be tripping along to this. Bit of a drive but been so long since been at an event 

John 

[StevieDvd]

I think the clouds must be hitting the astro sellers as the Rowan link, on the exhibitors page, goes to their air rifle products 😁

Advised Rowan by email and also asked about the AZ75 status  - but not had a reply.

 

Update Rowan replied  to my email. They aren't planning to sell at the show but will be able to take pre-orders with delivery expected shortly afterwards.🙂

Edited March 3, 2022 by StevieDvd

[paulastro]

I went to the last one, it was a great show.  Far more room for exhibitors and attendees than Astrofest.  You can park on the doorstep, so easy to load any large purchases into your car 😊.

I'll be coming, suitably badged if anyone wants to say hello.  Traveling down with Peter Drew and Andy from The Astronomy Centre.

[Yoddha]

Both with Maria will attend. Come to say "Hello" at our stand   Look for the APT logo  

Any question and suggestion about APT will be welcomed!

Edited March 9, 2022 by Yoddha

[Mr Spock]

I'll probably be going. I have an SGL X t-shirt I can wear.

[Thorney]

I’m hoping to go to this event. My wife is out for the day so it just depends if I’m brave enough to venture out with our 10 month old twins 😂. At least I would be easily to spot. 

[AstroExploring]

Well I will sadly miss the event this year, really disappointed as I know a lot of people are going that I would love to meet in person, but the wife tells me the arrival of our first born will be much more exciting 🤪

[paulastro]

7 hours ago, AstroExploring said:

Well I will sadly miss the event this year, really disappointed as I know a lot of people are going that I would love to meet in person, but the wife tells me the arrival of our first born will be much more exciting 🤪

I'm sure you will have a very memorable day, all the best to all three of you 😊.

[NiCo10]

Definitely going (with credit card in hand). Most of the talks look OK but I really want to get my hands on my shortlist 'scopes. Would it be too much to hope for a discount?

[paulastro]

2 hours ago, NiCo10 said:

Definitely going (with credit card in hand). Most of the talks look OK but I really want to get my hands on my shortlist 'scopes. Would it be too much to hope for a discount?

You're more likely to get discount with cash than a credit card - if at all.  🙂

 

 

[bottletopburly]

12 hours ago, paulastro said:

I'm sure you will have a very memorable day, all the best to all three of you 😊.

Take her with you the hospital is 2 minutes way literally.

[bottletopburly]

20 hours ago, AstroExploring said:

Well I will sadly miss the event this year, really disappointed as I know a lot of people are going that I would love to meet in person, but the wife tells me the arrival of our first born will be much more exciting 🤪

Take her with you the hospital is literally 2 minutes away😉👍.

[Alan White]

I will be attending, life willing, looking forward to it.

[F15Rules]

Had a lovely time at the Kettering Practical Astronomy Show today👍.. 

Some amazing scopes on view (some at eye-watering prices!), and it was really nice to meet a few SGLers in person..

A few photos if I may..

My good friend Steve Bennett aka "Saganite" (left) with Astro legend Peter Drew..

Paul (Paulastro), great mate to, and tormentor of, MikeDnight 😁..

..and Steve (Saganite, far right, again), Alan White, centre, and yours truly left, aka F15Rules).

Oh, and not pictured, it was great to meet Ed as well (NGC1302) - top bloke!👍

Our thanks to all the organisers and exhibitors!

Dave 

Edited March 19, 2022 by F15Rules
Additional text info

[JeremyS]

13 minutes ago, F15Rules said:

Had a lovely time at the Kettering Practical Astronomy Show today👍.. 

Some amazing scopes on view (some at eye-watering prices!), and it was really nice to meet a few SGLers in person..

A few photos if I may..

My good friend Steve Bennett aka "Saganite" (left) with Astro legend Peter Drew..

Paul (Paulastro), great mate to, and tormentor of, MikeDnight 😁..

..and Steve (Saganite, far right, again), Alan White, centre, and yours truly left, aka F15Rules).

 

Our thanks to all the organisers and exhibitors!

Dave 

Crikey, Dave: real people!

[F15Rules]

13 minutes ago, JeremyS said:

Crikey, Dave: real people!

Yes, Jeremy!👍

I was looking for a bent over chap carrying 10 Taks strapped to his back, but without success...

.. couldn't you make it??😋😁

Dave

[paulastro]

34 minutes ago, F15Rules said:

Had a lovely time at the Kettering Practical Astronomy Show today👍.. 

Some amazing scopes on view (some at eye-watering prices!), and it was really nice to meet a few SGLers in person..

A few photos if I may..

My good friend Steve Bennett aka "Saganite" (left) with Astro legend Peter Drew..

Paul (Paulastro), great mate to, and tormentor of, MikeDnight 😁..

..and Steve (Saganite, far right, again), Alan White, centre, and yours truly left, aka F15Rules).

Oh, and not pictured, it was great to me Ed as well (NGC1302) - top bloke!👍

Our thanks to all the organisers and exhibitors!

Dave 

Dave, It was really nice to meet your  self and Steve.  A great show as well.