Committee

- THE COMMITTEE -

On this page you can find out more about us as a society, and the faces you may see at future events.

- THE CHAIRMAN -

Hugh Allen

Chris Starr FRAS FBIS

Hugh Allen is the Chairman of Wells and Mendip Astronomers taking over from Chris Starr who founded the Group in 2013.
Hugh keenly promotes spectroscopy and is a member of the British Astronomical Association and The Herschel Society in Bath

- VICE CHAIRMAN -

Keith Cattell

Keith Cattell has been the Vice Chairman of Wells and Mendip Astronomers since the Group was founded in 2013. Keith has a particular interest in astrobiology and is keen to raise public awareness of astronomy to a new generation of astronomers.

- TREASURER -

Dick Cummings

Dick Cummings has been Treasurer since the Group was founded in 2013. Dick is an armchair astronomer with a passion for the promotion of astronomy as a gateway to a wider understanding of science and engineering.

- SECRETARY -

Pip Toogood

Pip Toogood is the Secretary for Wells and Mendip Astronomers. Pip has always had an interest in astronomy but this came to the fore when her son developed a passion for the subject at an early age. She joined WMA since its early days and enjoys getting involved in the outreach events.

- EVENTS & OUTREACH COORDINATOR -

Jo Richardson

Jo Richardson is the Events Coordinator for Wells and Mendip Astronomers. She is an ESERO UK Space Ambassador for the South-West of England and is involved with ongoing projects from the European Space Agency (ESA). She owns her own space business - 'Space Detectives' - to educate and raise public awareness of astronomy to school children across the South-West.

- THE MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY -

Richard Hook

Richard Hook is the Membership Secretary for Wells and Mendip Astronomers and its Data Protection Officer, and is key to maintaining the membership of the society. Richard worked for many years at the European Southern Observatory in Germany, first on Hubble data processing and more recently as press officer. He is now retired and slowly learning deep sky astrophotography from his garden in Glastonbury...

- TECHNICAL ADVISOR -

Pete Richardson

Pete Richardson is the Technical Advisor for Wells and Mendip Astronomers. Pete has had a keen interest in astronomy and related subjects since childhood and can't think of any other subject which is so awe inspiring. He has spent many years now taking images of the night (and daytime!) skies. Pete's occupation is within aerospace manufacturing engineering. Prior to this he spent sixteen years working in motorsport, eleven of these years within Formula One. In more recent years he has undertaken the build of his own 10" Newtonian telescope including the fabrication of the main mirror. He is currently working on a 20" version. His other interests are playing guitar and listening to music and he still enjoys following Formula 1 Racing.

- WEBMASTER -

The position of Webmaster is currently vacant.
The role is to maintain and develop the website, as a key resource for the group and as a means to engage with the public and encourage new membership

PUBLICITY OFFICER

Simon Holbeche

Simon Holbeche is our Publicity Officer and ensures that details of our forthcoming events and activities are published in as many places as possible, and maintains our profile on social media. Simon has been a member of Wells & Mendip Astronomers for many years and is also Chairman of our neighbouring society the Bath Astronomers.

Would you like to become a member?

If you are interested in becoming a member of Wells & Mendip Astronomers or wish to renew your membership,
please follow this link to our shop where you can pay online and we will then contact you for further details if needed.
Or contact us at [email protected]
The membership year runs from 1st April - 31st March