THE organiser of a stargazing event has been given the green light to use areas of land at a Tiptree business for future events.

Paul Blakesley, from Tiptree, has been exploring his passion for star watching since before joining the North Essex Astronomical Society more than 15 years ago.

He left the society and started his own group, Tiptree Star Gazers, with friend Andy Downman, to focus on educating others and providing free events for the public.

He has met many famous enthusiasts at various events, including Queen guitarist Brian May and the late Patrick Moore.

Mr Blakesley held his first event at the Wilkin and Sons factory site in Factory Hill, Tiptree, which proved popular with residents.

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Since the event, he has had confirmation from Dan Waskett, of Wilkin and Sons, that he can continue to hold events on the site.

Mr Blakesley also holds events at Abberton Reservoir, in the observatory dome.

He said: “I posted about the group on the Tiptree Community Page and I didn’t think I would get that much response.

“The group got quite popular, so I approached Wilkin and Sons and asked if there was a possibility of using their land.

“They let us set up on their Jubilee field, where they do events.

“There were five of us with telescopes wrapped up because of the rain and about 30 to 40 people came along to the first event.

“I approached Wilkin and Sons again and Dan Waskett told me the directors confirmed three locations on their land we could use for the stargazing events.

“I am so thankful to them for allowing us to use their land and am looking forward to holding more events.”

Future events will be held in the car park of the tearoom, the Jubilee field and an area of land which they own in the housing estate opposite them.

The events will continue to be completely free and will allow people of all levels of astronomy to get involved, including beginners.

For more information, go to the Tiptree Star Gazers Facebook group.