Stargazing

Free stargazing events on the Isle of Wight this Friday

If you have been watching the BBC’s Star Gazing series this week you might be interested in a couple of local events taking place on Friday.

The Vectis Astronomical Society are hosting a free event at Watery Lane Observatory, Newchurch from 7pm.

They advise visitors to wrap up warm and take a torch. There’ll be stargazing, presentations and Observatory Tours. There’ll be plenty of telescopes (feel free to take yours as well) and knowledgeable astronomers available to guide you around the skies.

Island Planetarium
Or you could head over to the Island Planetarium from 6.30pm on Friday. The evening is for people with little or no knowledge of the stars or who want a refresher, it’s finding your way around the winter night sky.

Weather permitting it will take place outside of the Planetarium using some of their telescopes and guided around the sky by their astronomers. Booking required.

Image: Christian Reusch under CC BY 2.0

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davidwalter
1, October 2014 2:47 pm

What isn’t clear is any delay to Totland sea wall and repairs to Underciff Drive, both of which were allocated funding. While I agree with the reason for the call-in and the spirit of the concerns, Underciff does need some urgent attention — e.g. draining and seeding — very soon to reduce the probability of another slip.

I am hoping that Scrutiny will highlight this point.

phil jordan
Reply to  davidwalter
2, October 2014 7:45 am

davidwalter:

The call in is for the paper. This means that all items contained within the paper (and decision) are effectively ‘suspended’ until the next Executive on 7th October when the ‘call in’ recommendation will be returned to the Executive for their (re)consideration.

davidwalter
Reply to  phil jordan
2, October 2014 8:08 am

Thanks, Phil. I hadn’t understood the procedure. On the subject of procedure, Scrutiny (in law, procedure) seems to be without teeth. Gums but no teeth. Is that true?

Geoff Lumley
Reply to  davidwalter
2, October 2014 9:03 am

It is true ! We have to work by pressure rather than force. More skilled that way…..you can still have victories

davidwalter
Reply to  Geoff Lumley
2, October 2014 10:03 am

Geoff, I so often wonder from the gallery or the floor exactly which are ‘victories’?

Geoff Lumley
Reply to  Geoff Lumley
2, October 2014 12:26 pm

David. Scrutiny Reports that are accepted by Executive (eg. balances and reserves, Highways PFI), the one ‘Call In’ so far that was agreed, numerous ‘behind the scenes’ successes where reports take into account our views. Of course its not all milk and honey, but its a helluva lot better than under Mr Pugh and his poodle scrutiny committees ! Not sure if you were around to witness… Read more »

davidwalter
1, October 2014 4:40 pm

Sally, are you covering Scrutiny tomorrow?

davidwalter
1, October 2014 5:09 pm

Like last time, embedded in the page? That was very popular and welcomed by all. Would be nice to have live video coverage. Personally, I think it would benefit our council hugely — not that many would tune in it’s that just knowing people can watch would moderate things. Same is true for FOI and transparency.

Helen Wood
2, October 2014 9:54 am

I would certainly watch that channel with great interest! What a great idea. Tonight’s meeting will be Totland Sea Wall’s sixth meeting where we have observed from the gallery or from the floor. I’m feeling like an old hand at it now. We have watched the sea wall being discussed, considered, re considered and considered again and again since last January after we handed in our petition.… Read more »

davidwalter
2, October 2014 3:06 pm

Geoff — I really meant ‘victory for whom’? This afternoon’s Scrutiny call-in is more important in the whole than the sum of its parts as it asks for more consultation and analysis across a wide range of issues. However, if the delay to one of those issues causes loss or damage then people suffer — they are losers, not victors. No, I wasn’t following these things in… Read more »

davidwalter
3, October 2014 8:46 am

Helen, it was nice to see you last night at Scrutiny. Can you email me sometime to walter4council@gmail.com ?