Astronomy

Anyone travelling along the B4348 to Hay-on-Wye, the world renowned town of books, will pass through the small community of Hardwick. 

Courtesy of Janet and Mark Robinson

It takes only a few minutes to drive through this unassuming hamlet, and most people doing so will, perhaps, be unaware that this quiet parish was once the home of a Victorian clergyman who made a contribution to science that is still acknowledged in the 21st century.

Hardwick was once the home of the Reverend Thomas William Webb and his wife Henrietta. 

Thomas Webb was vicar of this small parish, and faithfully served the members of his congregation for 29 years from 1856 until 1885. 

What is less known is that made good use of any spare time he had in, literally, searching the heavens; he was an enthusiastic amateur astronomer.

From making celestial observations in the open air with a 3.7 inch (75mm) refractor telescope, he employed progressively larger telescopes until in 1866, he constructed a wood and canvas observatory in the grounds of the vicarage, and was using a nine inch (225mm) silver on glass reflector.

Classic book

It was also at Hardwick that he wrote his classic astronomical observation guide, 'Celestial Objects for Common Telescopes', which was published in 1859, and the work for which he is best remembered today.

Courtesy of Royal Astronomical Society

Not only did this work popularise the science of astronomy, it also became the standard observing guide for amateur astronomers worldwide, and remained so until well into the 20th Century.

Thomas and Henrietta were also early enthusiasts for the new science of photography.

Thomas was not alone in his enthusiasm for astronomy - among his friends and collaborators were Rev Henry Cooper Key, vicar of Stretton Sugwas and George Henry With of Hereford.

2009 is the 150th anniversary of the publication of 'Celestial Objects for Common Telescopes'.

To help observe the event, and recall the contribution Thomas Webb made to astronomy, Webb-Share members in Hay, Hardwick, Stretton Sugwas and Hereford are planning a celebration of Thomas Webb's life and times.