Chair’s Report for 2024/5 - John Young
I feel privileged to be reporting on Birmingham Astronomical Society’s 75th Anniversary Year. It is my honour to Chair the society’s Committee comprising Trustees and Member representatives. The focus of the year has to be the celebration of 75 years. On the 22nd May a celebratory meal was held for members at 1000 Trades at Lightwoods House continuing afterwards as a social gathering. A great time was had by all.
Our celebration was poignantly marked by the publication of our 75th Anniversary history book and the issue of the75th Anniversary Badge. Bitter sweet in many ways, with pleasant memories of past events and achievements, combined with the great sadnessrecollecting those no longer with us, without whose endeavours we would probably not achieved our 75 years.
The society continues in strength, still meeting on Wednesday evenings, in ever growing numbers, with a refreshing zest for life and a hunger for knowledge. Pleasantly surprised at the number of Observational nights we have conducted. The dome is undergoing a refurbishment program in the skilled hands of Steve Woodfield and his son Pete. The eight inch scope being replaced by an 11 inch scope and, other improvements.
Our tradition of a monthly lecture program continues and is ongoing albeit now on Zoom. We try to offer an interesting and diverse program by a varied and skilled number of lecturers.
Our outreach program is ongoing, with events at New Hall Mill, Aston Hall, Lightwoods Park, Warley Woods, Winterbourne Gardens and more to come!
Pete Thick still achieves the impossible and mange’s a regular issue of the Communique.
A new version of our web page continues with thanks to Ben Stanley and Michael Toon.
Our meteor Detection Program has been impacted by technical issues and a maintenance visit is scheduled for October.
Our sub Section BAS Astro Art still meets weekly and is a good social event
My personal thanks to my Colleagues on the operational committee, Ben Stanley Treasurer, John Downing Secretary, Professor John Penny, Barrie Paterson, Yvonne Thick. Pete Thick Editor Communique and Michael Toon.
cont…
Report for Annual Society Members Meeting October 2025
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It is tradition that the Chair of Birmingham Astronomical Society has the privilege to award, if they consider a recipient worthy the Society’s two awards.
The Tom Collier Prize. Which I award for 2025 to Peter Woodfield for his dedication and support on Wednesday Evenings in setting up and maintaining observational equipment with skilled guidance to members of all experience levels. I particularly appreciate his stepping up to the plate and his assistance with equipment, when I have been unable due to my ongoing sight loss and vision failure.
The Audrey Farnol Citation, which I award this year to Moss Cotton for his dedication over the years in supporting our Artists and providing them a home.
The production of our History Book has brought to mind members past and present who are too numerous to mention by name. I ask you to pause for a minute or two to remember with me those in whose footsteps we tread.
John Young - Chair
Membership Secretary’s Report 2024/5 - John Downing
Membership has increased considerably over the last 12 months and now stands at 99 as of 27th September compared to 70 at this time last year.
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 2025
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Financial Report 2024/5 – Ben Stanley
Club funds remain strong along with our charity investment fund which due to the way the dates land has returned a little more this calendar year. We also had income from the sale of books which were gifted and have helped add to club funds.
In our 75th Anniversary year we have spent money on BAS75 with the celebration badge, and the History book. The design and production of both are included in Equipment costs. We also supplemented the BAS75 Meal for members which is included in Prizes along with the award shields.
Income
| Account | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memberships | £ 1,142.33 | £ 877.77 |
£1,585.94 |
| COIF | £ 2,063.78 | £ 2,079.68 | £2,650.17 |
| Trips | £ 0.00 |
£ 0.00 |
£ 0.00 |
| Sales books and clothing |
£ 133.00 |
£ 0.00 |
£ 294.00 |
| Other Income raffe, sales of equip, etc |
£ 73.35 |
£ 7.24 |
£ 30.90 |
| Interest | £ 118.72 |
£ 335.18 |
£ 336.51 |
| TOTAL | £ 3,412.46 | £ 3,299.87 | £4,897.52 |
Expenditure
| Account | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stationary | £ 0.00 |
£ 0.00 |
£ 0.00 |
| Marketing | £ 0.00 |
£ 0.00 |
£ 0.00 |
| Equipment | £ 1,931.40 | £ 1,023.26 | £4,680.98 |
| Prizes | £ 165.87 |
£ 94.39 |
£ 700.66 |
| Subscriptions | £ 274.38 |
£ 669.66 |
£ 765.31 |
| Lectures | £ 190.00 |
£ 170.00 |
£ 230.00 |
| Fixtures & Fittings |
£ 0.00 |
£ 0.00 |
£ 0.00 |
| Clothing | £ 0.00 |
£ 0.00 |
£ 0.00 |
| Trips | £ 0.00 |
£ 0.00 |
£ 0.00 |
| Other | £ 0.00 |
£ 0.00 |
£ 0.00 |
| Bank Charges | £ 60.00 |
£ 60.00 |
£ 60.00 |
| TOTAL | £ 2,621.65 | £ 2,017.31 | £6,436.95 |
| Balances at | 31st | Aug 2023 | 31st | Aug 2024 | 31st | Aug 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash in Hand | £ | 0 | £ | 0 | £ | 0 |
| Current Account | £ | 3,324.41 | £ | 1,744.99 | £ | 880 |
| Savings Account | £ | 11,622.52 | £ | 14,454.50 | £ | 13,780.06 |
| Sub-Total | £ | 14,946.93 | £ | 16,199.49 | £ | 14,660.06 |
| COIF Investment Fund | £ | 71,794.91 | £ | 77,233.91 | £ | 71,879.77 |
| Total | £ | 86,741.84 | £ | 93,433.40 | £ | 86,539.83 |
Report for Annual Society Members Meeting October 2025
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