3rd February 2012

CHARD: It's all in the stars

By Marion Draper

CLOUD cover parted just in time for families to enjoy the annual Stargazing and Storytelling evening held at Redstart Primary School in Chard.

The evening was co-ordinated by teacher Jeremy Handscomb in conjunction with members of Crewkerne and District Astronomy Society, who brought along some very impressive telescopes.

Pupils of Redstart School and their families, were treated to an exciting evening of celestial celebrations for the third year running and this time the school teamed up with the local astronomy group and the BBC to bring the wonders of the stars a little closer to home.

All the children had information packs from the BBC and the teachers agreed that the Stargazing Live programmes on the television had enthused many of the children to be more interested in the subject.

Some of the classrooms and the grounds were divided into areas with different activities, and families visited each area in rotation while some very spacey music was played over a loudspeaker.

On offer was a guided tour of the galaxy with Mr Handscomb out on the school field, where he used a laser pen to point out the constellations. There was a flurry of excitement when a shooting star was seen.

The weather had been cloudy but by the time things got going just after 6pm, it was clear and starry night with a good view for everyone.

Also on the field, inside the school’s very own teepee, Mrs Phil Evans was telling stories about the stars. In the forest school area there was a cosy campfire where people could stop off, enjoy a cup of hot chocolate and toast marshmallows.

Just outside the classrooms there were glass jars with tea lights and with the help of photographs of the constellations, the visitors were challenged to arrange the lights to create the star patterns.

Indoors there was an inflatable planetarium and the chance to look through a telescope with CADAS chairman Ron Westmass and his colleague Mike Egan.

Mr Handscomb said: “The evening was a real success and we were absolutely thrilled to have clear skies.”

More information about other local stargazing events can be found at www.cadas.net.

PICTURE 1: STAR GAZING - Jeremy Hanscomb pinpoints the stars with a laser pen

PICTURE 2: WORKING IT OUT - Families made constellations with tea lights

PICTURE 3: YUMMY TREATS - Hot chocolate and marshmallows around the camp fire