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We are saddened to announce the passing of Les Marsden, founding member and Chairman of the society since 1978.
Over the 48 years ago Les established MSAS, creating a society that has grown into a place where anyone with interest in astronomy can learn, practise, share and contribute to the subject. From a chapel in Swinton Les arranged the move to a local workingmen's club and the established a hub for astronomical meetings, lectures, quizzes, workshops and much more.
Along the way he found a permanent observing site near his childhood home at Hoober, Rotherham and, in the 1990s, went onto lead the building of the J A Jones Observatory and the many events that have taken place there over the years sharing his love of astronomy with thousands of members of the public. In 2019 Les realised that the meeting room at the workingmen's club was at risk and started looking for a new home for weekly meetings. He searched the area often visiting likely venues and on one such trip arrived at Mexborough Church Hall and identified it as a good candidate, re-calling the visit four years later when it was needed and leading the move. Over nearly five decades Les provided a strong lead with honestly, humour and the ability to cajole and persuade. Along the way he entertained all with tall tales and memories of society events and characters.
The membership and committee wish to express their deepest condolences to Sylvia, Glenn, Dean and all Les' family.
8th May 2026 @ 15:30 Rotherham crematorium - https://leslie-marsden.muchloved.com
Meetings held at, St John's Church Hall you can also join us online, see our Forthcoming Events - Facebook - YouTube - Eventbrite
Mexborough & Swinton Astronomical Society (MSAS) is a registered charity its objects being:
the advancement of education for the public benefit in astronomy and its associated sciences.
The MSAS committee
Formed in 1978 with just five members and meeting in members front rooms over the years the society has grown into a group of about fifty members who meet every Thursday evening.
The Society also own and runs its own observatory at nearby Hoober Stand. The J. A. Jones Observatory is named after one of our members and houses a recently upgraded set of equipment. This includes a Paramount ME, 14 inch Celestron and a 5” Takahashi TOA Telescope. This gives society members an excellent set of instruments to observe the night sky.
The society’s weekly programme consists of lectures and talks given by a wide range of visiting speakers and members as well as training where more experience observers pass on their skills to new ones and where skills can be honed and updated.
We hold several telescopes, including a solar scope for members to loan. We are also the proud owners of an upper stage of a Skylark research rocket!
The society has always been committed to encouraging an interest in astronomy with the general public. The public is welcome to come to any of our meetings and we open our observatory during the winter months and in the summer months on a Sunday afternoon for solar observing. Over many years we have developed many partnerships to bring observing opportunities to everyone.
These include working with Rotherham Metropolitan Council Parks Department, The Forestry Commission, and the RSPB to run observing sessions.
The Society is registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales as charity 1064103. The Society is a member of the Federation of Astronomical Societies.
We were formed in 1978 and have been working to promote astronomy since then. If you would like to know more about how we began and how we have developed over the years, take a look at Our History.
Serving Abdy, Barrow, Bow Broom, Cortworth, Elsecar, Greasbrough, Harley, Hoober, Hood Hill, Hoyland, Milton, Nether Haugh, Newhill, Parkgate, Piccadilly, Ryecroft, Scholes, Thorpe Hesley, Upper Haugh, Wath-upon-Dearne, Wentworth, West Melton, Wingfield, Swinton, Kilnhurst, Mexborough, Wath-upon-Dearne, Bolton upon Dearne, Hooton Roberts, Thrybergh, Harlington, Barnburgh, West Melton, Rawmarsh, Conisbrough, Parkgate, Hickleton, Greasbrough, Aldwarke, Rotherham, Wombwell, Clayton, Marr, Wath, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, and beyond.
We became a registered charity in 1997. We are an unincorporated association governed by our Constitution & Rules and managed by an Executive Committee. Copies of our recent Annual Reports are available online or can be downloaded.
