Stars and Snowdrops
Stay tuned for a review of the event this year...
Snowdrops on the 1st of February 2010.
Stars & Snowdrops 2009
HCO hosted its fifth Stars and Snowdrops event over the weekend of 21st/22nd February 2009. Heavy snow had made it necessary to postpone the event from Valentine's weekend and we are indebted to the Banbury Guardian for help in getting the event moved. A team of 15 Raleigh International volunteers came on the 14th despite the snow and built a new bridge in the grounds - Valentine's Bridge - allowing visitors the following weekend a wonderful new view down into the wood. We had about 750 visitors over the two open days and we were very cheered by the enthusiastic response from those who visited, many having attended the event in previous years. The snowdrops were looking their best - the snow does not damage them at all - and because it was later than usual there was a good display of crocuses to be seen as well. 13 year old Oliver King from Banbury joined the other astronomers at the Observatory site on Sunday and did a superb and very dedicated job explaining the telescopes to inquiring visitors. Andrew Baxter demonstrated the use of the Millennium telescope and invited visitors to "ride" it. Two of the smaller portable telescopes were on-site and the solar telescope afforded views of the Sun's disk, at least on Saturday. Huge quantities of tea and cakes were consumed, the atmosphere was extremely pleasant and the crowds were exceptionally careful and considerate.
Oliver King and Andrew Baxter, last year
Valentine's Bridge
The view through the woodland from Valentine's Bridge.
More information
Stars & Snowdrops is our annual fundraising weekend. First held on the 12th and 13th February 2005, this event was designed to make both the observatory and the grounds accessible to the general public while construction of the Millennium telescope was in progress. It has been held every year since and is now a fixture for the second weekend in February as the snowdrops come into full bloom. Raleigh International bring a band of volunteers every year to work on improving access paths to the observatory and maintaining the scenic woodland walkways.
Visitor numbers have increased steadily since 2005, with over 1200 attending in 2008. The event is now a major attraction in the locality, particularly for families, and has been well covered in the local press. People have come from far and wide to enjoy the outdoors early in the year as the snowdrops herald the coming of Spring. HCO members are on site all weekend to demonstrate the working of the telescopes and discuss the future of the Observatory project. A display of photographs shows the development of the project as well as astronomical images taken with HCO instruments. Members are very happy to give advice on buying or using telescopes. In February 2008, HCO borrowed a Coronado PST solar telescope from the Stratford Astronomical Society, delighting visitors with excellent views of solar flares and prominences.
Visitors at the Observatory site, courtesy of Gemma White
A warm welcome awaits tired walkers at the house, with tea and homemade cakes by a roaring log fire. The event is hard work for HCO and Raleigh, but the atmosphere is relaxed, homely and rewarding for all.
Visitors enjoying tea and cake in the courtyard, courtesy of Jo Huckvale
The proceeds from Stars and Snowdrops are divided equally between HCO and Raleigh. To date, the event has raised nearly £3500 for HCO. The money is being used for futher work on the observatory and in 2008, a substantial investment was made in purchasing a solar telescope of our own.
