The story begins with a simple exchange of e-mails between the HAW (Horncastle Astronomy Weekend) course organiser Paul Money and David Bell of the Irish Whirlpool Star Party, when international long distance speakers were discussed and the idea of joining forces to cut the costs of the airfare was suggested. Following this David e-mailed me (Paul) and suggested we have non other than John Dobson, the creator of the Dobsonian design of telescope mount and the founder of the Sidewalk Astronomers Movement which brings Astronomy to Public places. Naturally I was enthusiastic and also suggested we get other groups involved to further help in reducing the costs of the airfare. Over the last year things progressed with David establishing contact with Donna Smith of the Sidewalk Astronomers who has acted as the main co-ordinator between all the groups wishing to have John and thus the UK/Ireland tour came into being. Starting with HAW and the Lincolnshire meeting and ending with the Whirlpool Star party was the original idea but Donna was able to encourage the Russian and Ukraine groups to also have John for a couple of weeks before he was to be in the UK.

    Barry Cane (who was helping put John up during part of his stay in Lincolnshire) and I met John at Stansted Airport on Thursday evening September 12th 2002 ready for the start of the BAA HAW weekend the next evening. It was a busy weekend with the Friday evening 'William Fox Memorial lecture' (in honour of the HAW founder) given by John who was an instant hit with the 82 people attending the course - a record attendance. Saturday - and guess who was having his 87th birthday with us - Yep John! I had arranged to have a cake made and using a local cake specialist I created a computer design for the cake decoration which was then turned into edible rice paper and printed out and placed on the cake. That weekend also marked the 30th course so it was a great way to celebrate both events! The rest of the weekend had a wide range of talks by several guest speakers who included Dr Patrick Sherry, Dr Allan Chapman, Dr Andrew Newsam, Peter Rea, Mike Foulkes, Raymond Emery and myself, as well as a second talk by John on the Saturday evening. My 14" Dobsonian telescope (built by Barry) was on display and despite a 'dirty' mirror (I haven't been able to use it for a while because of my back problems) the Dobsonian passed Johns inspection - it's a great shame that for the first time in more than 15 years the sky was cloudy the whole weekend :-(

    Monday I took John to visit Woolsthorpe Manor, the birthplace of Sir Isaac Newton and although it is closed on Mondays we were fortunate in having the Education Officer turn up who kindly allowed us to go into the grounds where John was able to see the house close up and walk into the orchard - something he really enjoyed. After this we managed a  radio interview with my friends at BBC Radio Lincolnshire and then got home in time for tea before going back to Horncastle College for the Lincolnshire groups meeting. That was also a great success with up to 60 amateur astronomers from all over the county converging on Horncastle to hear this great man.

All in all it was a privilege to meet and be a part of John's tour and I know that he has been just as well recieved across the country as he was here in Lincolnshire and with luck it is now possible that we may be able to have other guest speakers from the US over once a year to give our groups talks.

Here is a selection of images I took over the weekend to give a flavour of events.
 
 

The 30th BAA Horncastle Astronomy Weekend September 13th to 15th 2002
Nearly everyone who attended the 2002 BAA HAW course is on the group photo!	(L-R) Dr Allan Chapman, Dr Patrick Sherry, Dr Andrew Newsam, John Dobson, Paul and Lorraine Money, Raymond Emery, Peter Rea and Mike Foulkes.
Happy Birthday John Dobson! Image courtesy of Nick Norman	John Dobson with Paul Money - image courtesy of Ray Emery
John Dobson at Woolsthorpe Manor
John outside the Manor	John and Paul in the Orchard of Woolsthorpe Manor
John Dobson at The Lincolnshire Groups Meeting, Monday evening September 16th 2002
John talks to an attentive audience	John Dobson
Paul's 14" Dobsonian Reflector