Breckland Skies

Life President of the Breckland Astronomical Society

It is with great sadness that I have to tell you that Spencer Allen passed away on 21st October 2010.

He was the inspiring force behind the inception and formation of the Society and the formidable task of raising the necessary finances, which culminated in the building of our excellent Observatory.

Spencer has had a most interesting life, starting as an accountant in the West Country and later, training to be a pilot, then converting to become a helicopter pilot. Spencer had many a tale to tell about his flying adventures in outlandish places such as the Antarctic where he worked as a helicopter pilot alongside whalers. He later worked as an Inspector for the Civil Aviation Authority.

I really got to know Spencer in 2002 when a group of us had a memorable holiday in Arizona, organised by Anna Meek. "Enough of this museum looking, let's go find somewhere we can have a good lunch", he'd say and so Bill Wuest, Martin Wolton, Martin Ashbolt and I did just that. Fortunately Raymond Prain volunteered to drive in the afternoon and I would drive in the morning. Spencer, Bill and the two Martins were already members of the 'Astroteers' Monthly Luncheon Club and so when we returned to the UK, Spencer asked me if I would like to join them.

In 2004 the 'Astroteers' spent an enjoyable week in sunny Portugal to CDEPA on the Algarve.

Also, in 2004 Spencer was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society in recognition of his outstanding work for the Society and the promotion of Astronomy to the general public.

In 2006 he organised a BAS family trip to Side, Turkey, to observe the Solar Eclipse, which had an added pleasure for Spencer - dancing in the Hotel every night.

He was a great 'fun guy' with also a serious and determined attitude to life and I would say he made the most of every day of his 86 years.

My thoughts are very much with Marie and his loving family. I will miss him and I know that the Astroteers (including new member Frank Dixon) and the Society will be sad at his passing.

Barrie Sherrington