Joining

Becoming a Member is easy

If you have an interest in Astronomy, Cosmology – or just an interest in the night sky – and want to meet like-minded people then please come along to one of our meetings.   New members are always welcome, whether you are an absolute beginner or an experienced observer.  You don’t need to own a telescope.

Details of membership and entitlements are described below.

Joining or renewing is easy using our MemberMojo page, which will guide you through the process of entering your details. You can make payment online by card or using your Paypal account, via PayPal checkout, or offline by bank transfer. You can alternatively pay by cash or cheque at the next meeting. We will confirm your membership by email once payment is received and processed.

Our membership year runs from the 1st of February to the 31st of January.

New members joining part-way through the year will still need to pay a full year’s fee, but if joining after 1st August, we will include the next whole year’s membership in this – so the first membership subscription payment covers a minimum of 6 months, and a maximum of 18 months depending on the joining date.

Existing members may renew their membership from the 1st of January by logging into MemberMojo; confirming or updating their details, and making payment by one of the above methods.

MemberMojo will send out renewal reminder emails to members from around the 3rd or 4th of January. These include a link you can use to login to MemberMojo. If you’ve not completed the renewal process by the 1st February, you will receive one final email advising that your membership has expired. It’s not too late to renew, but you’ll cease to be a member until you’ve completed that process and paid your full year’s subscription fee.

For membership enquiries you can use our contact form if you have any questions.

A copy of the Society Constitution and Rules can be found here.

Full Membership:

Full membership allows attendance by one person at all meetings, the right to take part in annual general meetings, loan of books, notification of and participation in, any special events such as visits.  Full membership also allows loan of society equipment at the discretion of the Committee and is subject to a qualification period.

Adult Membership:

Adult membership costs  £20, with a couple paying £35 p.a.

Family membership:

Family memberships are available for one adult plus juniors at £23 and two adults plus juniors at £38 p.a.

Junior Membership:

Junior members under the age of 18 pay £3 p.a. and benefits are as for full membership. The nominal joining fee allows us to enroll juniors in the society so that they are covered by our public liability insurance at meetings and events.

Juniors must be accompanied as per the guidelines in our child protection policy.

Regarding Junior Members Please note:  The Society shall place the highest priority on the wellbeing of children attending its meetings. The Society shall follow the procedures issued by the Federation of Astronomical Societies in its handbook (section 5.1) where a child is defined as being below 16 years of age. Parents must give written consent for the child to participate unaccompanied in the Society’s events.

Student Membership:

Benefits are as for full membership for those over the age of 18 and in full time education as verified by a student card. Student Membership is discounted to £10 p.a.

Visitors

Visitors are welcome to take part in the club activities for the evening of attendance only. Loan of club books and voting at annual general meetings are not available to visiting members.

Adult visitor:      £5.00 per visit
Student visitor: £3.00 per visit
Junior visitor:   free