Chair’s Report for 2023/4 - John Young
In a background of world tensions and political unrest resulting in a new government in the UK, economic pressures have resulted in financial hardship for many. The Society is holding its own.
We have maintained our Wednesday night club meetings, but it’s sad to report on declining attendance. Despite this, we attract guest members seeking astronomical advice and assistance as per our charitable aims, which sometimes results in new members. We have held Outreach events twice at Newhall Mill and once at Winterborne’s Honey Event. Attending both as guest exhibitors, with our Solar Sun spotting presentations. Our Seestar S50 smart scope has been well received. John Downing has done wonders modifying our solar projector, making it smaller and more easily trackable.
This year was frustrating for Star Party outreach as our Lickey Hills Events were unable to go ahead due to Birmingham City Council reorganisation. Fortunately, our Warley Woods event is scheduled for February 2025; we hope this will become a regular event.
Some of the projects undertaken in 2024 include:
Meteor detection using an Allsky7 camera is performed at Knighton at the Spaceguard site. The camera has functioned well, contributing data daily for scientific research. Also contributing to the tracking and location of Meteorites.
Seestar S50 Smart Telescope provides readily available and quick set-up astronomical observations at Wednesday Club nights and this year's Solar Outreach events.
BAS Astro Art has relocated to an offsite location. It meets most Mondays in the Afternoon and provides art tutoring through Moss Cotton.
The Society still has a functioning Library ( based in the club room at Aston University), which is currently undergoing a review and reorganisation.
Our Monthly Lecture Program has remained online via Zoom. Meeting on the last Tuesday of the month, the talks are also recorded and available to members who are unable to make the Tuesday evening.
January "Black Holes" February "Radio Astronomy" March "The Pluto Story" April "The Great Debate" May "Photographing Galaxies My Learning Journey" June "Shy, Unpredictable and Greedy Stars" July "Meteors and Meteorites” August "Planetary Nebula"
Report for Annual Society Members Meeting October 2024
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September "Ten ways the Universe tries to kill you." October "Black Holes and the Extragalactic Weather Forecast" November "A Stairway to Heaven ( space elevators)." December No Lecture due Christmas.
We are always looking for new projects if anyone has any suggestions!
The Society Website has changed and is now hosted by Squarespace. It’s functioning well and we receive a few messages from visitors looking for astronomical guidance and advice.
Thanks to John Downing (Membership), Ben Stanley (Treasurer), Pete Thick (Communique), Barrie Paterson (Events), John Penny, Yvonne Thick, Micheal Toon. For ongoing support and service on the committee and to those serving as Trustees.
I look forward to 2025, our 75 Anniversary of being founded in 1950.
John Young - Chair
Membership Secretary’s Report 2023/4 - John Downing
Membership as of 7th October stands at 70 which although down by 11 compared to this time last year is still fairly healthy, we are always looking for ways to increase membership so if you have any ideas let us know.
The annual membership remains at £15 which is excellent value when compared to similar societies.
The automated system for renewing membership online continues to work well saving a considerable amount of time and paperwork.
John Downing - Membership Secretary
Report for Annual Society Members Meeting October 2024
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Financial Report 2023/4 – Ben Stanley
Now that all memberships are charged a flat £15 rate, our income from membership fees is slightly lower, but higher interest rates and income from the Charity Investment Fund (COIF) bolster the balance, so it remains strong.
The COIF investment fund ended the year up from last year. Depending on the market, this can go down again, but we anticipate a further £2k of income from COIF over the next 12 months. The SeeStar smart telescope purchase and the new website arrangements make up most of the equipment and subscription cost increases.
Income
| Account | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memberships | £ 939.86 |
£ 1,142.33 | £ 877.77 |
| COIF | £ 2,048.26 | £ 2,063.78 | £2,079.68 |
| Trips | £ 0.00 |
£ 0.00 |
£ 0.00 |
| Clothing | £ 23.00 |
£ 133.00 |
£ 0.00 |
| Other Income | £ 16.17 |
£ 73.35 |
£ 7.24 |
| raffe, sales of equip, etc |
|||
| Interest | £ 6.83 |
£ 118.72 |
£ 335.18 |
| TOTAL | £ 3,034.12 | £ 3,531.18 | £3,269.87 |
Expenditure
| Account | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stationary | £ 0.00 |
£ 0.00 |
£ 0.00 |
| Marketing | £ 0.00 |
£ 0.00 |
£ 0.00 |
| Equipment | £ 307.22 |
£ 1,931.40 | £1,023.26 |
| Prizes | £ 0.00 |
£ 165.87 |
£ 94.39 |
| Subscriptions | £ 464.16 |
£ 274.38 |
£ 669.66 |
| Lectures | £ 303.95 |
£ 190.00 |
£ 170.00 |
| Fixtures & Fittings |
£ 0.00 |
£ 0.00 |
£ 0.00 |
| Clothing | £ 0.00 |
£ 0.00 |
£ 0.00 |
| Trips | £ 0.00 |
£ 0.00 |
£ 0.00 |
| Other | £ 392.68 |
£ 0.00 |
£ 0.00 |
| Bank Charges | £ 93.00 |
£ 60.00 |
£ 60.00 |
| TOTAL | £ 1,561.01 | £ 2,621.65 | £2,017.31 |
| Balances at | 31st Aug 2022 | 31st Aug 2022 | 31st | Aug 2023 | 31st | Aug 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash in Hand | £ | 0 | £ | 0 | £ | 0 |
| Current Account | £ | 2,529.49 | £ | 3,324.41 | £ | 1,744.99 |
| Savings Account | £ | 11,507.91 | £ | 11,622.52 | £ | 14,454.50 |
| Sub-Total | £ | 14037.40 | £ | 14,946.93 | £ | 16,199.49 |
| COIF Investment Fund | £ | 73209.78 | £ | 71,794.91 | £ | 77,233.91 |
| Total | £ | £87,247.18 | £ | 86,741.84 | £ | 93,433.40 |
Report for Annual Society Members Meeting October 2024
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