BRITAIN'S FIRST SPACE ROCKET

The story of the Skylark


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Robin H. Brand
BSc C.Eng MIET FBIS

Meet the author and other events

TALKS & EVENTS (2025)

Monday 7th April @ 7:45pm
Talk: "Hampshire's Space Rocket - the history of the Skylark"
Event: Hampshire Industrial Archaeological Society monthly meeting
Place: Underhill Centre, St John's Church, St John's Rd., Hedge End, Hants. SO30 4AF
https://www.hias.org.uk/meetings.htm

TALKS & EVENTS (2024)

At present, no more talks in 2024 are planned.

In the meantime, Robin Brand's podcast with the SaxaVord Space Centre on 11th October 2023 can be heard here:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6V1hDePvLzpjbOWkyfQUZs?si=1d4a5d92d2df4e4b

PREVIOUS TALKS & EVENTS (2024)

Monday 14th October @ 2:30pm
Talk: "Hampshire's Space Rocket - the history of the Skylark"
Event: Fordingbridge History Society AGM & talk
Place: St Mary's Church Hall, Fordingbridge SP6 1BE
A well received local presentation.
https://fordingbridgehistorysociety.org.uk/

Thursday 8th February 2024 @ 7:30pm
Talk: "Skylark - Britain's First Space Rocket & its pioneering astronomical observations"
Event: Southampton Astronomical Society monthly meeting at Isaac Watts Memorial Hall, Winchester Road, Southampton SO16 6TS
A successful in person only presentation.

https://sas-astro.co.uk/programme/

PREVIOUS TALKS & EVENTS (2023)

Thursday 13th July 2023 @ 10:30am
Talk: "Britain's First Space Rocket - the story of the Skylark"
Place: Lords Hill Historical Society, Manston Court, Southampton, SO16 8HF
A well-received local talk.
http://lordshillhistorysociety.blogspot.com/


Tuesday 18th April 2023 @ 7:30pm
RAeS (Royal Aeronautical Society) Cody Lecture: "Farnborough's First Space Rocket - the story of the Skylark"

Place
: Westminster Theatre, Farnborough College of Technology, Boundary Road, Farnborough, Hants. GU14 6SB.
A very well received presentation close to where Skylark was originally designed and built!

https://www.aerosociety.com/events-calendar/farnborough-branch-farnborough-s-first-space-rocket-the-story-of-the-skylark/

Thursday 23rd March 2023 @ 7:00pm
Open University Space Society online talk:
"Britain's First Space Rocket - the story of the Skylark"
This was a successful online presentation. It was recorded, and is available on YouTube or via the society's news webpage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRj9NbL7u6M&ab_channel=OpenUniversitySpaceSociety

PREVIOUS TALKS & EVENTS (2022)

Saturday 8th October 2022  10:30 - 16:00
Event: "Space Day 2022" - the UK's biggest free space event!
Place: The HIve, Sawmill Walk, The Butts, Worcester, WR1 3PD

This 'World Space Week 2022' event for all the family, held for the first time after a break because of Covid, was busier than ever. A lot of interest was shown in my 'Meet the author' stand, and my talk "Blasting into Space from the UK!", about the current exciting progress towards launching space satellites into orbit from Britain was well received.
UPDATE: This talk was repeated online on 25th March 2023 when presented by the BIS West Midlands branch, and a recording is available via this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOwefmZct7A&list=PLkDsbp3rD98HnGGyqIJGnHa4bkPz8TIWj&index=1&ab_channel=TheBritishInterplanetarySociety

Tuesday 12th April 2022 @ 18:30 for 19:00
Talk "Britain's First Space Rocket - the story of the Skylark"
IMechE (Institution of  Mechanical Engineers) public talk
Place: The HIve,
Sawmill Walk, The Butts, Worcester, WR1 3PD
My first 'in person' Skylark talk for two years. Good to be back!
https://nearyou.imeche.org/near-you/UK/Midland/Worcester-Area/past-events

PREVIOUS TALKS & EVENTS (2021)

Tuesday 7th September 2021 @ 17:15 for 17:30
Talk "Britain's First Space Rocket - the story of the Skylark"
RAeS (Royal Aeronautical Society) Boscombe Down Branch.
Another successful online talk.
https://boscombedownraes.org/2021/08/7th-september-online-lecture-britains-first-space-rocket-the-story-of-the-skylark-by-robin-brand/?dm_i=4OGU,14ONX,3H9TBX,55VM4,1

Monday 5th July 2021 @ 14:00
Talk "Britain's First Space Rocket - the story of the Skylark"
Camberley & District U3A Astronomy & Space Science Group
A well attended online talk

https://sites.google.com/site/cu3aastronomy/home

Thursday 20th May 2021 @ 14:00
Talk "Britain's First Space Rocket - the story of the Skylark"
Guildford U3A Astronomy & Space Science, and Engineering Groups
A most successful online presentation, with an hour of Q&A afterwards!
https://u3asites.org.uk/guildford/page/83212
or https://u3asites.org.uk/guildford/page/83210

Wednesday 17th March 2021 @ 14:00
Talk "Britain's First Space Rocket - the story of the Skylark"
Glasgow West End U3A Science and Technology Group
My second talk of the year - online again, but it saved a lot of travelling!
https://u3asites.org.uk/glasgow-west-end/page/77856

Tuesday 26th January 2021 @ 11:30
Talk "Britain's First Space Rocket - the story of the Skylark"
Bristol U3A Science and Engineering Group
My first talk of the year, Zoom is proving quite useful!
https://u3asites.org.uk/bristol/page/31491

PREVIOUS TALKS & EVENTS (2020)

Friday 20th November 2020
Talk "Skylark - Britain's First Space Rocket"
Lyme Regis U3A Science & Technology Group

My third online talk, the first in the morning, with a good attendance.
http://www.lymeregisu3a.org/scitec.html

Wednesday 16th September 2020
Online presentation "Skylark - Britain's First Space Rocket"
Sidmouth U3A Aviation Group
My second online talk, which was well received by a friendly group of aviation enthusiasts.
https://u3asites.org.uk/sidmouth/page/76586

Thursday 25th June 2020
Online webinar "Skylark - Britain's First Space Rocket and its pioneering astronomical observations"
A "One O'clock Space Lecture" organised by the UCLSpace Domain

My first online talk, which all went very well with many familiar faces appearing!
The event was recorded by UCL, and is available to view, please visit their resources webpage and scroll down: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/research/domains/space/publications-and-resources

PREVIOUS TALKS & EVENTS (2019)

Saturday 5th October 2019
Event: "Space Day 2019"
This was the biggest free space event in the Midlands! A "World Space Week" (www.worldspaceweek.org) event for all the family - astronomers, space authors, rocket scientists, with talks and activities. Robin Brand had a stand with reduced price copies of his Skylark book available, and gave a talk "Britain's First Space Rocket". The venue was The Hive, Sawmill Walk, The Butts, Worcester.
www.bis-space.com/2019/08/02/22870/space-day-2019

Tuesday 1st October 2019
Talk "Skylark - Britain's First Space Rocket"
Cafe Scientifique, Salisbury

A convenient and popular local group, with several people the author knew in the audience!
http://cafescientifiquesalisbury.org.uk/page/2/

Tuesday 21st May 2019
Talk "Skylark - Britain's First Space Rocket and its pioneering astronomical observations"
Institute of Physics South West Branch, Salisbury
A glorious venue in Salisbury Cathedral Close, followed by lots of erudite questions!
http://www.iop.org/activity/branches/south_west/sw/index.html

Tuesday 9th April 2019
Talk "Skylark - Britain's First Space Rocket"
Weymouth & Portland U3A Science Group
My first morning talk, in a great venue with plenty of questions afterwards!
https://u3asites.org.uk/weymouth-portland/page/12521

PREVIOUS TALKS & EVENTS (2018)

Friday 7th December 2018
Talk: "Skylark - Britain's First Space Rocket and its pioneering astronomical observations"
Tiverton and Mid Devon Astronomy Society
Robin Brand's talk on the Skylark, including some the astronomical aspects of the space research carried out, at a good venue with lots of interesting questions afterwards!
http://www.tivas.org.uk/socsite/meets.html

Saturday 6th October 2018
Event: "Space Day 2018"
The biggest free space event in the Midlands! A "World Space Week" (www.worldspaceweek.org) event for all the family - astronomers, space authors, rocket scientists, talks, activities and a competition. Robin Brand had reduced price copies of his Skylark book available, and provided information on the "BIS Nanosat Launch Vehicle" feasibility study (www.bis-space.com/what-we-do/projects/project-nlv). This all took place at The Hive, Sawmill Walk, The Butts, Worcester.
www.thehiveworcester.org/whats-on.html

Saturday 19th May 2018
Event: "Aerobilia '18"
Boscombe Down Aviation Collection
A chance to buy, sell or swap aviation and militaria items, and visit the splendid aviation collection; always an interesting event with a
good view of a busy airfield.
www.boscombedownaviationcollection.co.uk/Index_files/Page2438.htm

Friday 11th May 2018
Talk "Skylark - Britain's First Space Rocket"
The Wimborne Model Aero Club

Robin Brand's talk on the Skylark, when science fiction came true and Britain went into space for the first time in November 1957.
https://wimbornemac.org/event-calendar/icalrepeat.detail/2018/05/11/426/-/update-club-social-night-may

Friday 20th April 2018
Talk "Skylark - Britain's First Space Rocket and its pioneering astronomical observations"
The Bristol Astronomical Society
A splendid venue and good attendance near the centre of Bristol, only a few miles from Filton, one of the centres of Skylark activity!
http://www.bristolastrosoc.org.uk/www/pages/programme/programme-20172018.php

PREVIOUS TALKS & EVENTS (2017)

Thursday 19th October 2017
Talk "Hampshire's Space Rocket - the story of the Skylark"
Fordingbridge '93 Club
My first talk in the morning! - very well attended and followed by a fine lunch, all at the Woodside Suite, Sandy Balls Holiday Village, Godshill.

Thursday 5th October 2017
Talk "Skylark - Britain's First Space Rocket and its pioneering astronomical observations"
Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution, Queen Square
In a splendid Georgian venue, appropriately located only a few hundred yards from where William Herschel discovered the planet Uranus in 1781, over 50 people attended this talk at a joint meeting of the William Herschel Society and the British Interplanetary Society South West branch.
https://www.brlsi.org/     www.williamherschel.org.uk/

Sunday 11th June 2017
Event: "RAF Cosford Air Show 2017"
Located n
ear Telford, just north of Birmingham, and welcoming over 55,000 members of the public, the RAF Cosford Air Show is the largest one-day event in the West Midlands! The author successfully exhibited in the 'Space' hangar, which included an actual Skylark and a Raven motor - the first time a real Skylark could be seen in front of one of his stands - see photo on the right!
www.cosfordairshow.co.uk/

Saturday 13th May 2017
Event: "Aerobilia '17"
Boscombe Down Aviation Collection
A chance to buy, sell or swap aviation and militaria items, and visit the splendid aviation collection; always an interesting event with a good view of a busy airfield.
www.boscombedownaviationcollection.co.uk/Index_files/Page7224.htm


Tuesday 11th April 2017
Talk "Britain's First Space Rocket"
Milton Keynes Aviation Society

A well-attended talk to flight enthusiasts who asked some good questions afterwards!
Venue: Kents Hill Community Centre, Frithwood Crescent, Kents Hill, Milton Keynes MK7 6HQ
www.mkas.co.uk

Tuesday 28th March 2017 (changed from Tuesday 25th April)
Talk "Hampshire's Space Rocket"
Rotary Club of Fordingbridge
An appreciative audience at a pleasant social event, conveniently close only a few hundred yards from the speaker's front door!
Venue: Avonway Community Centre, 36 Shaftesbury Street, Fordingbridge, Hampshire, SP6 1JF
http://fordingbridge-rotary.org.uk/upcoming-events/

Thursday 9th February 2017
Talk "The Skylark: Britain's First Space Rocket"
Worcester Astronomical Society
Welcome under-floor heating in a beautifully restored barn - a Wildlife Trust location appropriate for a 'Skylark' talk perhaps!

Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, Lower Smite Farm, Hindlip, Nr Worcester, WR3 8SZ.
http://worcesterastro.weebly.com/calendar.html

Saturday 21st January 2017
Talk "Hampshire's Space Rocket"
The Spitfire Society, Southampton
A successful afternoon
talk at the impressive Banister Park Bowling Club, Stoneham Lane, Eastleigh, Hants. SO50 9HT.
http://spitfiresociety.org/the-groups/#roundel9 

PREVIOUS TALKS & EVENTS (2016)

Thursday 24th November 2016
Talk "Britain's First Space Rocket"
Royal Aeronautical Society Christchurch branch,
Bournemouth University, Wallisdown

"Your lucid and well-illustrated history of this important project was very well received, and the interest of the audience could be judged by the number and quality of the questions afterwards".

Wednesday 19th October 2016
Talk "Britain's First Space Rocket"
VMCC, Redlynch Sports & Social Club, Woodfalls Cross, Woodfalls, Salisbury, Wilts. SP5 2LN
A popular event at a convivial local social club, with lots of interesting questions afterwards! 

Wednesday 5th October 2016
Event: "Space Night 2016"
The Hive, Sawmill Walk, The Butts, Worcester, WR1 3PD

A "World Space Week" event for all the family - astronomers, space authors, rocket scientists - meet them all! Included talks, activities and a competition. It certainly was a family event - youngsters from every junior school in the area must have attended - it was packed out - hope they found it inspiring!

Thursday 29th September 2016
Talk "Britain's First Space Rocket"
IET Dorset & South Wilts (Weymouth), Weymouth College, Weymouth, Dorset.

Despite having to be postponed for two weeks (my apologies to anyone inconvenienced) this talk was well attended, with plenty of interesting questions afterwards! 

Saturday 23rd July 2016
Talk "Britain's First Space Rocket"
British Interplanetary Society Space Conference, Charterhouse School, nr. Godalming, Surrey, GU7 2DX

Both the conference and talk went very well, and I showed the excellent scale model of Skylark recently acquired, as well as part of a Skylark rocket fired from Woomera! (See the photo above).

Saturday 14th May 2016
Event: "Aerobilia '16"
Boscombe Down Aviation Collection, Hanger 1 South,
Lancaster Road, Old Sarum Airfield, Old Sarum,
Salisbury, Wilts., SP4 6DZ

A most successful event with a good view of a busy airfield - one visitor even arrived in his own helicopter!
www.boscombedownaviationcollection.co.uk/Index_files/Page2438.htm

Wednesday 20th April 2016
Talk "Hampshire's Space Rocket"
Fordingbridge & District U3A, Fordingbridge Town Hall,
63 High Street, Fordingbridge, Hants. SP6 1AS

A well attended talk that many said was much more interesting than they had been expecting!
http://u3asites.org.uk/code/u3asite.php?site=183&page=3

Saturday 9th April 2016
Event: "Guided Projectile Establishment, Westcott - 70th Anniversary Celebration"
Westcott Social & Sports Club, Ashendon Road, Westcott, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP18 0PD

A very busy and most successful event.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1660613347560545/
or
www.bis-space.com/2016/01/22/16090/guided-projectile-establishment-westcott-70th-anniversary-celebration

Friday 26th February 2016
Talk "Britain's First Space Rocket: Skylark and the Filton connection"
Bristol Aero Collection Trust, Room 4, BAWA
Health & Leisure Complex, 589 Southmead Road, Filton, Bristol, BS34 7RG
(
Sat Nav postcode: BS34 7RF)
This talk was very popular and over fifty people attended.
Location & map: www.bawa.biz/bristol-entertainment-sports/contact

Tuesday 16th February 2016
Talk "Hampshire's Space Rocket: the story of the Skylark - Britain's first space rocket"
Boscombe Down Aviation Collection, Hanger 1 South,
Lancaster Road, Old Sarum Airfield, Old Sarum,
Salisbury, Wilts., SP4 6DZ
A well attended talk closer to home!
www.boscombedownaviationcollection.co.uk/Index.htm

Saturday 16th January 2016
Talk "Skylark at Woomera: the story of Britain's first space rocket"
South Australian Aviation Museum, 66 Lipson St., Port Adelaide
The author's first international engagement, at a fascinating museum before an audience including many who had helped launch Skylark!
www.saam.org.au/events/


Fordingbridge History Society
14 Oct 2024


Presentation title
Saturday 8th October 2022
(click to enlarge)


UCL online presentation
Thursday 25/6/2020
(click image to see recording)


Space Day 2019, Worcester
Saturday 5/10/2019


Cafe Scientifique talk, Salisbury
Tuesday 1/10/2019


Weymouth & Portland U3A Science Group talk
Tuesday 9/4/2019
(click image to enlarge)


Tiverton & Mid Devon Astronomy Society talk,
Friday 7/12/2018



Space Day 2018, Worcester, Saturday 6th October 2018


Bristol Astronomical Society talk, Friday 20/4/18


Fordingbridge '93 Club talk, Thursday morning 19/10/17


At the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution 5/10/17


Cosford Air Show with real & model Skylarks! 11/06/17
(Click image to enlarge)


Milton Keynes Aviation Society talk, 11/04/17


Worcester Astronomical Society, 09/02/17


RAeS talk, Bournemouth University, 24/11/16


Space Evening Worcester 5/10/16 - find the alien!
(Click image to enlarge)


BIS Space Conference, Charterhouse, Sat. 23/7/16 (Click image to enlarge)


Boscombe Down Aviation Collection 'Aerobilia' event,
Old Sarum, Sat. 14/05/16



Westcott 70th anniversary celebration Saturday 9/04/16


The author speaking at the South Australian Aviation Museum in Adelaide, Saturday 16/01/16


The author speaking to the BIS West Midlands group, Droitwich, Saturday 10/10/15 (click image to enlarge)


"By-Gone Days", South Gorley, 1/8/15. Some were more interested in the book than others! (click image to enlarge)


Above: "Space Day", Droitwich Library, Saturday 21st March 2015

                       © New Forest Electronics Tel. +44 (0) 1425 655559                 Issue 3.113    17 Oct 2024