The Bolton Group - Brian Webber, Gerald Bramall and David Ratledge
This page features some of the telescopes made and work undertaken by the Bolton Astronomical Society trio of Gerald Bramall, Brian Webber and David Ratledge.
Gerald is a self taught machinist specialising in aluminium fabrications.
Brian is ex-British Aerospace and an optics maker of some renown having made tens of mirrors, a 5 inch object glass, a Maksutov and a Springfield mounted Newtonian.
Myself I have been making telescopes for 40 years but still suffer from "aperture fever"!
STOP PRESS 2012 - Astronomy Now, November Edition, includes a section on the group in Grassroot Astronomy.
Minimalist 200mm Binos - NEW
The dynamic duo have done it again! Click on the image left for details.
300mm Binoculars MarkII
Finished for Kelling Heath 2006. these lightweight 12-inchers feature easy breakdown for one man operation. SOLD
8.5 inch Ultra-light Binoculars
New inter ocular adjuster and light-weight design create very user-friendly binoculars.
12-inch Binoculars MarkI
Superb binoculars with eyepieces at 45 degrees.
Original 8-inch Binoculars
The binos that began the revolution showing binos could be practical and perform. SOLD
400mm Newtonian
Big fast f/4.7 Newtonian with computer goto
8-inch Ritchey-Chretien
Probably the most difficult optics we have attempted.
Camera Tracker
Several of the group needed a lightweight camera tracker that was better (and cheaper!) than the expensive scissor type now on the market. This was the solution.
200mm Rumak
Maksutov Cassegrain with separate secondary mirror for even better optical corrections.
Dew Heaters
In the damp Lancashire climate Dew Heaters are one of life's essentials
3 of the Best
3 totally different telescopes
5-inch Refractor
Classic refractor for superb planetary views
Poor Man's Paramount
German equatorial mount that has Byer's gears and is red but it's not a paramount!
