Most of this information has been extracted from a document titled “CAWAS HISTORY” by an unnamed author who further attributes details from J.H. Osbourne and Alan Hancocks.
In 1959, a member of the Coventry Astronomical Society – a Mr M.J.O. Green who “was extremely knowledgeable on the subject of astronomy, optics and design” advertised in the local press for people interested in astronomy, particularly in the building of telescopes. It attracted a small number of like-minded individuals and effectively became an Astronomical Workshop interested in the “construction of astronomical telescopes (for the) study of Astronomy in all its aspects”.(Interestingly, at that time, building your own telescope was popular enough for the magazine, “Practical Mechanics” of January and February 1958, to produce instruction on how to do it; the February edition being headed, “A 6” Telescope Mirror – grinding the mirror disc; testing for accuracy; polishing and figuring.”
The title of the Society became the “Coventry Astro-Telescope Society” and its first formal meeting was held on 3rd November 1959 at 50 Northumberland Road, Coventry. At its first committee meeting of Friday 20th November, it was decided to approach schools to form a junior section; to arrange a Christmas dinner (an event that has happened every year since); to affiliate with the B.A.A. (British Astronomical Association), and to approach a local councillor “to discuss the feasibility of mounting a large telescope in the environs of Coventry. (An approach that, some considerable time later, following more detailed discussions from 1969 to 1973, eventually resulted in the observatory in Coombe Park, and the merger with the Coventry Astronomical Society in the following year).
In 1959, a workshop was rented at the rear of 27 Ford Street; premises that left much to be desired as they lacked heating and a water supply and the nearest toilets were in Pool Meadow bus Station (or “the local hostelry – that allowed members to continue their discussions over a nightcap pint on the way home.) Notwithstanding the shortcomings of the premises and the need to wear “heavy overcoats, gloves and mufflers”, it is stated that “enthusiasm was tremendous” and there were “many happy memories of lively debates and a growing warmth of friendship”.
In February 1960, the Society moved to a room hired in Vine Street and the better premises provided “the venue and opportunity for most interesting programmes of lectures given by both members and visiting speakers”.
In March 1960, it was decided to produce a monthly newsletter called “Cosmos” that featured an editorial; the Night Sky; the Chairman’s chat; news items and a “zany female” called Stella – described as being Len’s girlfriend and “quite an eyepiece”. She was given to asking punning, astronomical questions and appeared in every edition for up to 5 years then gradually tailed off for lack of inspiration. Through its lifetime, the readership of Cosmos was noted to have reached as far away as Norway, France, and China! (Their exclamation mark.)
The Observatory at Coombe Park was built from scratch and the problems with making a mould for the dome from dental plaster and laying concrete bases over massive networks of rabbit burrows are mentioned in its first newsletter “Stellar”. The Warwickshire Society had its own telescope, a 10” reflector but when the Coventry Society was finding light pollution and a reducing skyline a problem for observing through its telescope at The Butts site, a merger of the two societies became a practical solution; the telescopes swapped positions and CAWAS was born. The Warwickshire Society always had an objective to widen the scope of its activities particularly where practical astronomy and observing sessions were concerned. This objective was carried over to CAWAS; renting the house was pivotal to this as it was envisaged as a potential club house that could offer astronomical resources to members as well as to interested external groups – such as the scouts – but when that fell through and the other problems already mentioned occurred, the objective became untenable and was abandoned. The telescope was moved back to The Butts site and the history of CAWAS continued as already detailed.