IFAS Donates to honour Sir Patrick Moore

In keeping with Sir Patrick Moore’s wishes IFAS have donated to his favourite charity
The Cats Protection League
No flowers or wreaths were his preference and as he was a cat lover we understand and respect his wishes.

The funeral is strictly private but in the spring on March 4th there will be a public event
in the UK to honour his life and work. This was to be his 90th birthday party and as far as I know it
will still be a party as that was also his wish.

Patrick Moore died at his home Farthings surrounded by close friends and family , with his cat Ptolemy purring beside him.

What a life , what an achievment to broadcast an astronomy programme from 1957 to 2012. 705 episodes !!!!
I saw many of them over those years , he always kept us the audience up to date with the latest
news on the night sky and space exploration. He interviewed extraordinary people and he made the extraordinary
ordinary for everyday people tuning into the show.

His voice and speaking mannerisms were unique and his contribution to astronomy could never be forgotten.
Sir Patrick was very helpful to me when I was putting my sketching exhibition together back in IYA 2009. He was so proud to have his work on display in Ireland , Birr Castle in particular. Exhibitions of his work in Blackrock Castle Observatory and Dunsink Observatoy also gave him delight. The many International astronomical sketchers that had their work in these exhibitions were so elated to have their drawings on the same walls as this legend.

Dave McDonald informed me that there was an interview with Sir Patrick broadcast on RTE 1 Bowman here is the link , scroll down to Dec 11

This Sunday coming another interview with Sir Patrick is to be broadcast on Bowman.

May he rest softly among the stars

Deirdre Kelleghan
Vice Chair IFAS

That's a nice write-up Dee - thank you. And I'm delighted that IFAS was able to honour Patrick with the donation per his last wishes.

I'd strongly recommend the Bowman podcast from last Sunday - I've yet to listen back to it myself but being an early riser (even on a Sunday!) I thought the piece was really good and illuminating. It was also short. I'm looking forward to the second installment this coming Sunday.

I thought it was a nice touch of John Bowman and RTE to rerun the interview.

I received a very nice letter from the Cat Protection League to thank us for our donation in memory of Sir Patrick Moore. Hopefully, you can see it here.....

maybe you could scan it at a higher resolution, its very hard to read.

Don't really know how do that but will have a go tomorrow.....

This should be a bit better as had to enlarge original letter on photocopier, then scan it.